The 1954 Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet by Hiro Yamagata represents a remarkable intersection of automotive engineering and contemporary art, currently displayed as part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the DFW Car & Toy Museum. This unique vehicle serves as one of the few completed pieces from Yamagata's celebrated Earthly Paradise series, originally debuting at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery in 1994 before captivating audiences across multiple countries including Austria, Italy, and Japan.
What makes this particular vehicle exceptional is its dual identity as both a rare automotive specimen and a significant artistic creation. As one of only 1,278 Cabriolet A models bodied by Sindelfingen between 1951 and 1955, chassis number 3503688 was hand-selected by Yamagata for artistic transformation. The car underwent meticulous refurbishment in 1996 before receiving its artistic treatment, beginning with a roughened matte white acrylic coating that served as the foundation for Yamagata's vibrant brushwork.
Inspired by the natural beauty of Fiji, Yamagata adorned the vehicle with a midnight blue base and intricate tropical imagery that transforms the automobile into a moving canvas. The artwork features a Scarlet Macaw prominently displayed on the hood, a peacock extending along the rear bodywork, vibrant hibiscus flowers, palm trees, a rainbow, and a burst of multicolored birds. Yamagata's signature on the left-rear finger permanently marks the vehicle as an authentic piece of living art from one of the world's most vibrant contemporary artists.
The significance of this creation extends beyond its visual appeal. Out of the 24 cars originally envisioned for the Earthly Paradise series, only a select few were actually completed, making this 220A Cabriolet an exceptionally rare artifact in both the automotive and art worlds. This scarcity elevates its importance as a cultural object that bridges two distinct creative disciplines.
Beneath the artistic exterior lies the engineering excellence characteristic of Mercedes-Benz's W187 platform. The vehicle retains its original 2.2-liter M180 inline-six engine producing 80 horsepower, paired with a column-shifted four-speed manual transmission. Luxury details including a three-piece fitted luggage set in the trunk, VDO instrumentation framed by a three-spoke steering wheel, and classic Mercedes-Benz craftsmanship ensure that the vehicle remains fully functional as an automobile while serving as an artistic statement.
The DFW Car and Toy Museum provides the permanent home for this unique creation. Visitors can view this remarkable fusion of art and engineering at the museum's North Fort Worth location, with additional information available through their website at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The museum's extensive collection and facilities make it an ideal setting for appreciating how automotive history and artistic expression can converge in singular creations like Yamagata's transformed Mercedes-Benz.
This artistic 220A Cabriolet stands as a testament to the potential for reinvention and creative expression, demonstrating that even the most meticulously engineered machines can be reborn as masterpieces that challenge conventional boundaries between functional objects and fine art. The vehicle's continued display ensures that new generations can experience this unique synthesis of automotive heritage and contemporary artistic vision.
