As with the Mercedes-Benz 170, the W187-series 220 was initially offered in three body styles: a four-door saloon, plus the vastly expensive two-seater Cabriolet A and the four-seater Cabriolet B.

In December 1953, just a few months before the saloon and Cabriolet B were withdrawn, a fourth variant was introduced: the ultra-exclusive Coupé.

Although it and the Cabriolet A would be available until August 1955 (in uprated 85 horsepower guise), this final version of the W187 has always been exceptionally rare—a mere 85 left the Sindelfingen works.

One of just 12 W187 coupés equipped with a sliding steel sunroof (the model was the first Mercedes-Benz offered with such an option), chassis 4500304 is an original German-market car.

Finished in special-order “DB113” Grey with matching leather and a Becker Monaco radio, it was delivered to Friedrich Liese GmbH of Dortmund on 10 April 1954 and registered five days later.

Acquired by the vendor from a well-known specialist in 2016, the car i...