History of Mercedes Benz: The 180 Pontoon
Mercedes Benz 180/190 Pontoon (1953 – 1962)
In the history of Mercedes Benz, it has rarely been so difficult. Daimler-Benz had to decide on one of the most important new car designs. While the four-cylinder 170S was clearly showing its age, the six-cylinder 220 was just a 170S with a larger power plant. Furthermore, the luxurious 300 Benz still carried the pre-war genes in its styling and chassis.
This change from more traditional thinking to a modern style demonstrated a bit of the problem facing the management of Daimler-Benz in those days. On the one hand, they couldn’t afford to fall behind what their competitors were offering, and on the other, they knew that a design that was too radically modern might not be appreciated by their more traditional-minded customers. The Mercedes Benz 300 was a clear statement of how much they knew about the preferences of a larger part of their customer base. From 1951 through 1962, the 300 had not changed drastically from its traditional pre-war design.
Just eight months before the launch of the 180, the Daimler-Benz management approved the final sidepod design. At his introduction in September 1953, the new shape was accepted by almost all of his potential customers. The new Benz had a 20% more spacious passenger compartment and offered much greater visibility. Drivers could also carry much more luggage, as the trunk had a 75% greater volume. But the features didn’t stop there. Inside the cabin, the heating can be individually adjusted for driver and passenger and the larger, supportive seats invite a relaxed journey. It is interesting that all this could be achieved in the exterior dimensions of the predecessor, the Benz 170S. It is also worth mentioning that the new unitary body chassis was much stronger and twice as rigid as the old independent body-on-frame construction.
The term did not exist in those days, but the Ponton 180 could be considered the first Mercedes Benz E-Class. It was in the same price league as the six-cylinder Opel Kapitän, which from an image point of view was more competitive with the 220W187 Benz. at 9,950. – DM ($2,360.-) the new Mercedes Benz 180 wasn’t cheap, but buyers didn’t seem to mind. This latest addition to the Benz family was not only popular at the time of its release, but was in demand throughout its production run. And for the first time the magic word “waiting list” was heard.
Naturally, for the four-cylinder cars from Daimler-Benz, a diesel engine became available again. The OM 636 was also taken unchanged from the earlier 170 Benz, and still lived up to its reputation as a rather loud and uncivilized power plant. But its robust and reliable design also made it capable of outliving the vehicle it powered. Small surprise, it was so highly regarded by taxi owners, they talked about 300,000+ miles on a single engine.
Also, the gasoline engine was a carryover from the earlier 170S Benz. So in 1957, four years after the vehicle’s introduction, the 180 received the M 121 OHC engine from the 190, but in a detuned version. Power increased from 52 hp at 4000 rpm to 65 hp at 4500 rpm.
The Mercedes Benz 190 was launched in 1956. It was basically a 180 with an engine that developed 75 hp at 4,600 rpm. On the outside, next to a different badge, it had a wide chrome trim along the lower window line. And inside it offered a slightly different upholstery. In August 1959, both Mercedes Benz cars were updated at the front with a lower and wider radiator grille.
At that time, Daimler-Benz had already moved into the “fin tail era” or “Heckflossen-Zeit” with the introduction of the six-cylinder 220b series. In August 1961, the 190 Benz was discontinued as the fin-tailed 190 series was introduced. In October 1962, the last Ponton 180 finally left the production hall. Over the years, the car has seen technical and aesthetic updates, but has remained the dependable and dependable Mercedes Benz vehicle, which had ushered in the Ponton era for Daimler-Benz nine years earlier.
