I have been curious about the difference between the 220s and 220sb. I have a 65 220sb although the back of the car says 220s. Does anybody know if the s or b stands for anything? For example, I know that "SL" means "sport light" and "E" stands for "Einspritzer" or fuel injection.

Just to muddy the waters here.... consider the 300 series as having the most designations of all:

300b(?), 300c, 300d, 300D, 300E, 300CD, 300CE, 300TD, 300TE, 300SD, 300SE, 300SL, 300SDL, 300SEL..... have i left any out?

The little letters never make it to name plates. On your 220Sb its pronounced "Sb" not sb. Think on it as 2nd run of the incomparable 220S that began in round body form.

The 220S was a Ponton, or round body, and the 220Sb was a Fintail.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

So then what would you call a 220b which is a 220Sb minus chome and wood finishings... Is it just 220?

Depends on what you are trying to communicate. The b was used in the factory to distiguish between the Pontons and the Fintails. Fintail design started in the mid- fifties so there would have been confusion in the factory with 220S meaning two different things.

Murray, you can say 220b if you're trying to order some parts or be really specific about the car. A code language that only fellow MB fans would understand.

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Just for fun (and to add to the confusion) generally, the small letter designates the generation of the particular model and wasn't actually badged on the car. The '50s Pontons started out with the 'a' series until '59, when the 219/220/220S was replaced by the Fintail 220b/220Sb.

However, the 4 cylinder Pontons were facelifted with larger grilles and bumpers, but carried on with the '50s bodies as the 180b/190b, until they were replaced in late '61, by the Fintail 190c (although my book says that a Ponton 180c was built until October 1962).

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

The 220b has the smaller style 190 rear tail lights. The 220Sb and 220SEb have the larger tail lights. The 200b also has dual single barrel Solex carbs where the 220Sb has the Zeniths.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

...except for early 220Sb, like mine, which has dual two-barrel Solex carbs. Along with the smaller taillights, the lower-priced 220b also had the simpler rear bumper like the 190c. Less confused?

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW