The Mercedes-Benz W187 is a luxury car produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1951 and 1955. Presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951, the W187 was powered by a single inline six-cylinder M180 engine in the camshaft and Available as saloon, coupe and cabriolet, all designated with the model name 220.

Despite its pre-World War II reputation as a luxury car manufacturer, in the early postwar years, Mercedes-Benz produced only four-cylinder passenger cars. The W187 Mercedes-Benz 220 and the flagship W186 Mercedes-Benz 300 Adenauer introduced together in 1951 were the first Mercedes to feature six-cylinder engines again.

Models

The style was similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz 170S, except that the 170's standalone headlights were for the 220 integrated in the fenders for a slightly more modern look. Two different cabriolet models were built, designed as exclusive sports cars of exclusive character, but these only sold 1,278 and 997 for the "A" (2 doors, 2/3 seats) and "B" (2 doors, 4 seats). seat versions) respectively.

In December 1953, when the "B" and "cabriolet" models were about to be replaced, a W187 Coupe, derived from the "Cabriolet A", was announced for 1954. Mercedes-Benz sales said that this development was a direct response to urgent requests from leading celebrities of the time.

 

In 1953, the manufacturer replaced the conventionally flat windshield on the 2/3-seat "Cabriolet A" with a slightly curved screen, which also came to the new coupe: this was a way of highlighting the sporty nature of both models. [citation needed] However, the coupe, once fitted, as many were, with a steel sunroof, was offered in late 1953 by 22,000 brands, nearly double the price for the standard "Limousine" W187, and only 85 of the W187 coupes were actually sold.

Between August 1952 and May 1953, 41 special "OTP" bonnets  W187 220s were produced for the police.

Engines

All 220 used the new 2195cc six-cylinder M180 engine, producing 80 hp DIN (86 SAE) (59 kW).

In contrast to the rather old-fashioned look of the car's body, the new engines attracted a lot of attention in the auto press, being the first new engine introduced by Mercedes-Benz in over ten years.

The valves were operated by short camshaft rockers at the top.

At the time, the engine was unusual in Europe, with oversquare cylinder dimensions with a diameter of 80.0 mm and a stroke of only 72.8 mm, which facilitated the design of an efficient cylinder head.

The manufacturer claimed a top speed of 140 km / h (87 mph) for the bars and 145 km / h (90 mph) for the cabriolets, which was faster than the 52S (38 kW) powered by 170S Cabriolet, than the version. W187 cabriolet replaced and where its body was derived from.

The new six-cylinder engine would form the foundation, repeatedly extended and refined over the years, for a long line of six-cylinder engines powering leading Mercedes-Benz models, including the six-cylinder version of the first S-Class models. in the 1970s.

Due to the extra horsepower of what was, by modern standards, a heavy car, the W187 was equipped with Duplex drum brakes.

With sedan / saloon body cars about to be removed by the manufacturer in May 1954, in April 1954, the "Cabriolet A" and its Coupé derivative were fitted with a new 85 PS (63 kW) high-compression engine. Developed to be announced soon, Ponton incorporated the Mercedes-Benz W180.

These faster sport versions of the W187 continued in production for another year.

Bar 220 was replaced by the W105 / W180 line in 1953. The coupe and cabriolet continued until August 1955.