Fantasy Junction

Description

1953 Mercedes Benz 220A Cabriolet “Earthly Paradise” by Yamagata

Chassis No. – 1870123503688
Engine No. – 1809204500359
Exterior Color – “Earthly Paradise” Midnight Blue
Interior Color – Tan Leather
Engine – 2.2L Liter Inline Six-cylinder SOHC
Transmission – 4-speed manual
Current Kilometers – 9,538 kms (TMU)

- One of twenty Yamagata hand painted originals
- The only example finished in “Wedding” livery
- One of 1287 220 A Cabriolets built in 1953
- Exhibited in Los Angeles, Japan, Austria, and Italy

General History

With a growing reputation for manufacturing some of the most luxurious hand-built cars of the prewar era, Mercedes-Benz continued to offer wonderful examples of post war cars with prewar elegance. The 220 sedan was introduced in 1951 at the Frankfurt Auto Show and served as the basis for coachwork in the cabriolet model. These cars featured the new 80 hp 2.2 Liter in-line six-cylinder engine – a robust and durable power plant capable of cruising the autobahn at modern speeds. The stylish cabriolet was produced from 1951-1955 by Sindelfinger Karosserie for Daimler-Benz though just 2,360 examples were built in part because of their handcrafted nature. Rare, expensive, and delightfully appointed, these became sought after by wealthy clientele and Hollywood elite.
General Overview

In the early 1990s, Los Angeles based artist Hiro Yamagata, known for his prolific colorful silk screen work, prepared a series of hand-painted Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolets featuring uniquely colorful tropical themes. These cars quickly established him as one of the most prolific pop-art car artists of the 20th century. Beginning the first of the “Earthly Paradise” series to elevate his highly successful commercial artwork into less conventional art galleries, Yamagata selected 20 of the best examples of the 200A Cabriolet both as a canvas for his colorful expressive work, but also to celebrate the cars themselves. Under Yamagata’s direction, each car was restored to a high level including correct interior finishes, properly finished wood trim, interior chrome and instrumentation including radios, and all exterior trim and chrome properly restored to a high standard. The bodies were all finished with a matte acrylic underpaint ideal for the application of Yamagata’s hand drawn stencils, careful contouring, and final vividly colored hand painted designs.

Each of the “Earthly Paradise” series cars were hand painted using different themes and design motifs. All told Yamagata spent in excess of $3 million dollars for the cars and restorations, however, they were never driven, rather placed as objects of art featured at international events and galleries including the debut in 1994 at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery where the first six cars were exhibited. Art critic Sam Hunter described these unique and daring cars as having “reversed the symbol of the car as an industrial, automated machine and brought it into harmony with nature.” Birds, flowers, and natural scenes adorned each of the cars with Yamagata commenting “Some people say the scenes I paint are dreamy or psychedelic. I say if you look closely at plants and animals – on land and in the ocean – the natural world is overflowing with psychedelic colors and creatures. I am just painting from nature.”

This Yamagata original was hand painted over a comprehensively restored 220A in 1996. Titled within the “Earthly Paradise” series as “Wedding” it is the singular example composed with this artistic livery. Having benefited from a full restoration prior to Yamagata’s exquisite hand painting, the car has been driven minimally as it was transported to international shows including exhibits for this specific car in Los Angeles, Japan, Austria, and Italy, to name a few. The driver’s side rear fender is signed and dated by the artist.

General Condition

Today this 220A presents as a captivating example of both rare and exotic automotive artistry. Enjoyed largely as a work of static art, the hand brushed finishes are lightly textured due to the hand painted brush strokes which blend the vibrant colors of the various foliage, parrots, and exotic florals of Yamagata’s art. Panel fit is very good including the doors which shut properly without force, while the hood and trunk lid offer smooth latching and fit. Despite the 30-year-old restoration, the exterior chrome is in very good condition, with very good reflections. All lenses, lighting, and glass are in excellent condition with no notable flaws. The tan fabric top is in very good condition, lowers easily, and latches properly at the chrome windshield frame. Matching color steel wheels are finished with correct wheel covers and trim rings, continuing the colorful hand painted themes unique to each wheel. A set of BF Goodrich 6.70 – 15 vintage white wall tires are mounted which are suitable for display and slower speed driving. Per original specifications, the car wears the Sindelfinger Karosserie Daimler-Benz emblem designating the coachwork performed to create this Cabriolet series when new. Of note, the hood displays a large colorful parrot cascading down the side panels and onto the front fender. The paint work is excellent throughout, sensitively fusing the metal body forms to the natural elements of Yamagata’s art.

The interior has mellowed over time since fully restored in the 1990s but, as with the exterior finishes, these correct finishes have been very well maintained reflecting accurate materials and delightful vintage charm that is invitingly unique to this era. The seats have been correctly reupholstered in tan leather and retain a comfortable supple feel which matches nicely to the door panels and correct beaded carpet. Even the small but usable rear seating area has been properly restored. The top fits snugly to the windshield and a pair of tinted sun visors are a nice touch to the interior. The wood finished dashboard is particularly nice with matching interior door garnish molding featuring the same quality, color, and finish. The gauges show vivid dial face color, crisp numeric indication, and beautiful chrome bezels. A rare multi-band radio is also in place and in excellent condition. The chrome trim and refined detailing throughout the dashboard, steering wheel and other interior elements are a delightful composition that remain essentially as one might expect from a restored 220A. The trunk is clean and very nicely finished with matching materials along with a set of correct restored luggage held in place with leather straps, a full-sized spare tire, and factory tire jack stowed underneath

The engine compartment is in very good to excellent condition with proper presentation using correct parts and finishes. The carburetor feeds through a factory correct intake system and air cleaner with all hoses, fasteners, and fittings reflective of original specifications. The various and correct Mercedes-Benz numbers, build plates, and stampings are consistent with the body and chassis sequences for original cars. The engine block retains a correct engine tag and stamping consistent with 220A series engine blocks. The chassis is in original condition showing factory details and gentle aging supporting what appears to be a very well-preserved car, certainly so given the past 30 years of protective indoor display. The preserved structure, suspension components, factory welds, and metal castings are in keeping with original examples.

The car starts on command using traditional allowances for cold engine starts and proper warm up procedure before operation. The mechanical systems are all in place and functional, however, having been primarily a static art piece since the 1996 restoration was completed, the brakes would benefit from service and a new set of tires is recommended should the new owner choose to enjoy more spirited driving.

Items Included with the Car

This 220A is accompanied by a car cover, some display placards from former gallery events, and a copy of the book documenting each of the Earthly Paradise series cars.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608