The signs were pointing to change 70 years ago in the German economic boom: Hollywood supplanted homeland films in the cinemas, rockabilly and pettycoat reached the dance halls, the number of cars exceeded the million mark, and the new Mercedes models 180 (W 120) and 190 (W 121) adapted the American pontoon body so successfully that they soon became the most important premium protagonist of this design trend. Not the inexpensive Opel Kapitän road cruiser, but the pontoon Mercedes 180, which measured just under 4.50 meters but was almost as expensive /190 were parked in front of the villas of doctors, lawyers or small manufacturers as the most popular symbols of prestige. These first Stuttgart limousines with self-supporting bodies even caused a sensation in North America: in the land of the full-size V8, Mercedes advertised its compact four-cylinders with an 8,200-kilometer marathon tour from Seattle to Washington, D.C., and that with diesel engines that Americans otherwise only knew from trucks. The fuel for this continental trip cost just 32 dollars and 27 cents, a sensation.
The 180 D/190 D diesel models were also good for surprises in Europe, because Mercedes made the compression-ignition engines, which initially had only 29 kW/40 hp, socially acceptable. From then on, the taxi trade in particular fueled up with diesel, especially since the self-igniters had the potential to become millionaires in kilometers. In a decade when manufacturers still rewarded 75,000 or 100,000 kilometers without a replacement engine with gold-plated key fobs or watches, that was an almost unbelievable mileage.
But the distinctive-sounding Mercedes with license plate D, which sometimes made soot under load, were not only ubiquitous at the taxi rank: private buyers also appreciated the miserly motorization. After all, Mercedes had weaned the initially rough commercial vehicle manners away from the diesel units built since 1936 to such an extent that it was not the petrol engine but the 180 D that became the bestseller in the series.
Classy in series
In July 1953, the start of series production of the Mercedes-Benz 180 (W 120) took place as the successor to the 170 Sb.
racing successes
The Mercedes 180 won a class at the Mille Miglia.
Motor sport successes were also good for the image. For example, Mercedes dominated the 1955 Mille Miglia with the legendary 300 SLR sports car, but a 180 D clinched a class victory and this with a respectable average of almost 95 km/h. Four years later, a 190 D under Grand Prix driver Karl Kling even triumphed in the 14,000-kilometer Africa Rally.
Sporty laurels, which testified above all to the robustness of the concept, because on German roads, which had been unlimited since 1953, the Mercedes 180 D, which had a speed of just 112 km/h, was overtaken by almost all of its middle-class rivals. Compared to the ubiquitous VW Beetle alone, it scored points with a Vmax advantage of two km/h, which was important for the self-confidence of Stern customers.
On the other hand, excessive speeds and risky overtaking manoeuvres, such as the notorious “convoy jumping” on country roads, were the order of the day on the still poorly developed German road network. Despite the still low traffic density, the accident statistics kept setting new negative records. In the mid-1950s, the number of road deaths was five times as high as today.
That is why the new volume models bearing the star were also to be successful thanks to safety innovations: the Ponton-Benz even offered an early form of the crumple zone patented under safety researcher Béla Barényi in 1952, because the front and rear sections of the body were designed to be softer.
Under the catchy slogan “If you want to be absolutely sure…”, the Mercedes advertising also compared the “protective frame floor system” of the series with the massive door of a safe.
With a major facelift in 1959, Mercedes gave the Ponton types 180 and 190 a wider radiator grille, more power for the petrol engines (50 kW/68 hp in the 180 and 59 kW/80 hp in the 190), but above all additional padded impact surfaces steering wheel and dashboard. An important protection against injuries that was not very common at the time.
Rare variants
Mercedes also supplied chassis, which companies such as Binz and Miesen relied on for ambulance and hearse bodies.
Diesel with storage space
The 180 D advanced to become the bestseller in the series.
On the other hand: For the time being, the Swabians saw no need for standard three-point seat belts, such as those introduced by Volvo in the Amazon mid-range model. Instead, Mercedes launched an entire pontoon model kit that shared platform and frame: Whether it was the Mercedes 180 or 190, the sporty 190 SL or the powerful six-cylinder 219 and 220, all of these types were regarded by experts as the benchmark for stylishly packaged safety technology and with their modern, spacious three-box bodies with cuboid engine compartment, passenger compartment and luggage compartment, they brought the American dream of driving onto German roads.
While Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer celebrated his re-election in 1953 in the fussy Mercedes 300 and the new BMW V8 limousines were dressed in baroque pre-war forms, the Benz series with the pontoon shape named after the member of a floating bridge hit the nerve of a time hungry for progress.
At that time, new technology meant prosperity and social prestige: That is why the higher earners invested in high-sounding music boxes that cost almost as much as a VW Beetle, or even in one of the first TV sets that had a magnetic attraction among friends when the coronation of Elizabeth II. or an international football match was broadcast.
People liked to show what they could afford, and that was better with a high-priced Mercedes 180 or 190 than with a comparably large Opel Rekord and even the dashing Borgward Isabella. That’s why the models with the star alone offered luxury extras that the rich and famous loved. These include standard holders, snooze rolls as headrests or reclining seats that can be used as beds, a bulky car telephone and special paintwork. Goodies, which, like the horn with additional fanfare, were primarily found on the agile petrol engines.
Mark D
The Ponton Mercedes was built in Sindelfingen.
Volkswagen of the upper class
The Mercedes 180/190 models dressed in modern pontoon shapes were parked in front of the villas of manufacturers and freelancers in the 1950s.
In particular, the Mercedes 190 introduced in 1956 with a (power-reduced) 1.9-liter engine from the 190 SL roadster with a chain-driven overhead camshaft was one of the most dynamic four-cylinder limousines on European motorways, which also drove many a fast Borgward or Porsche 356 out of the fast lane distribution. Initially, 55 kW/75 hp was enough for the 190 model.
The factory body portfolio for the Ponton-Benz was limited to four-door models, but Mercedes also supplied chassis that companies such as Binz and Miesen relied on for ambulance and hearse bodies. There were even station wagons and pick-ups, especially for South Africa and South America. Until the early 1960s, the Mercedes series (W 120/121) remained so popular that long delivery times were the rule, but then the fashion suddenly passed over the Ponton protagonists: Mercedes presented the opulently dimensioned 190 (W 110) in 1961 fresh trapezoidal design – and once more with greetings from America, this time in the form of subtle tail fins.
timeline
1950: At the end of the year, the development of a successor to the pre-war Mercedes-Benz models 170 V and 170 S (W 136) was pushed ahead, under the development code W 120 for the future 180 type
1951: First designs and prototypes show the medium-sized W 120 in the conservative style of the Mercedes 300 “Adenauer”
1952: During the extensive driving tests for the W 120 series, a photographer managed to take a snapshot of a test car, which was published in a trade journal in the spring as an “Erlkönig” photo. The modern pontoon shape for the Mercedes 180, which is to go into production the following year, is not defined until the summer
1953: In July, start of series production of the Mercedes-Benz 180 (W 120) as the successor to the 170 Sb, but still with the 1.8-liter petrol engine of the predecessor. The market launch will take place in September. A pre-series of 11 units of the Mercedes 180 D will start in October
1954: In February, the Mercedes 180 D is presented with the 1.8-liter diesel from the predecessor
1955: A right-hand drive pick-up version of the Mercedes W 120 (from 1956 also the W 121) is launched by Binz/Lorch, which is delivered to South Africa in around 400 units and sold there as the Mercedes Bakkie. But Binz also supplies pick-up versions of the Mercedes types 180/180 D and 190/190 D for European markets. Binz also produces W-120/121 station wagon variants, optionally with a large Webasto sunroof. There are also W 120/121 ambulances from Binz and Miesen, and the coachbuilders Pollmann and Stolle offer hearses based on the W 120/121. Performance increase for the 180 D, the diesel now delivers 43 hp instead of 40 hp. Production phase-out of the Mercedes-Benz 170, the predecessor to the Ponton, in September
1956: In May, the Mercedes 190 (W 121) is presented as the top model of the mid-size class in Stuttgart, with a new 1.9 liter engine with 75 hp. The four-cylinder is a throttled version of the engine from the 105 hp 190 SL sports car. In addition, there are optical modifications for the W 121 such as a slightly wider radiator grille, larger rear lights, additional decorative strips and hinged windows in the front doors. New single-joint swing axle for better driving characteristics. A pick-up version is also being prepared for South America
1957: In July, series production of the 180a starts with an engine from the 190 type that has been reduced to 65 hp. The special visual features of the 190 model are also adopted – except for the hinged windows
1958: In August, the Mercedes 190 D is introduced with a new, 50 hp, 1.9-liter diesel. Mercedes 180a now also with front vent windows. A car phone can be ordered as an extra for the Ponton Mercedes
1959: The revised Mercedes 180/190 make their debut at the Frankfurt IAA with the internal code letter b (180b and 190b). The Mercedes 180 now has 68 hp and the braking system from the larger 190, the Mercedes 190 now has 80 hp. All refreshed models can be recognized by a wider radiator grille and the omission of front bumper guards
1961: In the spring, the Mercedes 190 is replaced by a successor of the same name (W 110 series), the so-called “tail fin” series. As a diesel, the Mercedes 180 (internal code letter now “c”) now has a two-liter unit with 48 hp
1962: Production of the Mercedes-Benz 180 also ends in October
1982: The traditional and successful type code 190 is revitalized with the Mercedes-Benz 190 (W 201), popularly known as “Baby-Benz”.
2023: The 70th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz “Ponton” is celebrated at numerous club events and classic car fairs
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