This 1953 Mercedes-Benz 220 is one of 1,278 Cabriolet A models bodied by Sindelfingen Karosserie between 1951 and 1955. Chassis 346653 was selected for use in Hiro Yamagata’s “Earthly Paradise” exhibit and was refurbished in the late 1990s prior to being hand-painted by the artist in Tropical Scarlet with a floral motif. The car was displayed in Los Angeles, Europe, and Japan, where it was purchased by the selling dealer in 2025 and subsequently brought back to the US. Upon arrival, a replacement 2.2-liter M180 inline-six was rebuilt and installed, and the wheel cylinders and brake hoses were replaced. The cabin is trimmed in tan leather, and equipment includes a column-shifted four-speed manual transmission, driving lamps, painted 15″ steel wheels, rear-hinged doors, and a beige convertible top with chrome landau bars. This W187 220 Cabriolet A is now offered in California with a three-piece luggage set and a Mississippi title.
Born in Japan, Hiro Yamagata is a Los Angeles-based silkscreen artist noted for his use of vivid color and laser installations. Mr. Yamagata sourced several 220 A Cabriolets for the “Earthly Paradise” series, which focused on the merging of technology and nature. The cars were refurbished and later refinished in roughened matte white acrylic prior to being hand-painted with nature-themed schemes derived from photographs captured by the artist on the island of Fiji. “Earthly Paradise” opened to the public in the fall of 1994 at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery with eight cars on display, and a total of 24 cars were planned for the series.
Dubbed “Floral Bouquet,” this example was hand-painted in Tropical Scarlet with a floral motif. The car is also equipped with a beige soft top with landau bars as well as a left mirror, driving lamps, running boards, and chrome bumpers with overriders.
The 15″ steel wheels wear polished trim rings as well as Mercedes-Benz-branded hubcaps that are hand-painted to mirror the car’s exterior motif. The W187 rode on a 112″ wheelbase and features a coil–sprung independent front suspension with a leaf-sprung solid rear axle. Service performed since 2025 involved overhauling the wheel cylinders and replacing the brake hoses.
Rear-hinged doors open to the cabin, which features front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in tan leather. Matching upholstery extends to the door panels, and wood trim accents the dashboard, A-pillars, and door caps. Additional appointments include beige carpeting, a heater, and tinted sun visors.
The three-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and fronts VDO instrumentation including a 160-km/h speedometer, an analog clock, and gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 32k kilometers (~20k miles), and total mileage is unknown.
A replacement 2.2-liter M180 inline-six was sourced and rebuilt by Eli’s European of San Diego prior to being installed in 2025. It features a single overhead camshaft and a Solex downdraft carburetor. The selling dealer recommends further inspection of the vehicle prior to extended road use.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a column-shifted four-speed manual transmission.
The trunk houses a three-piece set of luggage retained via leather straps.
The reproduction chassis plate lists 1870120346653, and a matching number is shown on the California Replacement Identification Number viewable in the gallery. The VIN on the title is 18701203466.