1955 Mercedes-Benz 180

This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 180 sedan was initially delivered to an engineer attached to the United States Forces in Austria, and it spent the last 51 years with its second registered owner. Against the advice of Daimler-Benz AG, the car was sent back to the factory for overhaul shortly thereafter, and it was subsequently imported into the US. Decades later, another refurbishment was carried out circa 2011 by Brian Cook Restorations in Rochester, Massachusetts. Work totaled more than $97k and included disassembly, sandblasting the body, re-chroming the brightwork, rewiring the electrical system, rebuilding the instrumentation, replacing the upholstery and various trim elements, and overhauling the 1.8-liter inline-four.

The car was purchased new by an engineer attached to the United States Forces in Salzburg, Austria, with whom it resided until it was purchased by its second, long-term owner in 1974. The second owner, also a US serviceman, commissioned an overhaul from Daimler-Benz AG shortly thereafter, and against their advice: the company warned that, since the car was no longer in series production, work might take six months and cost more than double a price of a contemporary Mercedes-Benz. The original purchase invoice, circa-1974 correspondence with Daimler-Benz AG, and manufacturer’s literature are included in the sale.

Nearly four decades later, a refurbishment was commissioned by the second owner and was carried out by Brian Cook Restorations in Rochester, Massachusetts. The car was disassembled, its body shell was sandblasted, and its brightwork was re-chromed. Various trim and lighting elements were repaired or replaced, and a repaint in the original Pearl Grey (125) was completed.

Steel 13″ slotted wheels with body-color hubcaps are mounted with BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial whitewall tires. The suspension includes a front double wishbone setup and a rear single-joint swing axle as well as front and rear coil springs. Stopping power is provided by drum brakes at all four corners.

The cabin was reupholstered and its headliner was replaced during the refurbishment using materials sourced from GAHH Automotive and LeBaron Bonney Company. Details include green-gray cloth upholstery, dark green vinyl accents, and wood trim on the dashboard and door panels.