Mercedes-Benz W120

This page combines information on both the Mercedes-Benz W120 180 and W121 190 sedans

Mercedes-Benz W120/W121
Mercedes-Benz 180b (W120)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Production	1953–1962 442,963 built
Assembly	West Germany Port Melbourne, Australia (W121) [1] East London, South Africa
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door sedan
Dimensions
Wheelbase	104.3 in (2649 mm)
Curb weight	2690 lb (1220 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W136/W191
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W110

Mercedes-Benz W120 model at a petrol station, photographed in 1961

For the 1960 model year the car received a wider grill.

Mercedes-Benz 190D (W121)

The Mercedes-Benz W120 was an inline-four cylinder sedan introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1953. Powered initially by the company's existing 1.8 liter M136 engine, it was sold as the model 180 through 1962.

The Mercedes-Benz W121 was introduced in 1956, powered by a 1.9 liter M121 engine. It sold as the model 190 through 1961.

The 180 continued to use the 56 PS (41 kW; 55 hp) M136 engine from the Mercedes-Benz 170 Sb until 1957, when it received a downtuned version of the 190's M121.

Various diesel powered 180s were produced from 1953 to 1962.

Often referred to as "Pontons" the pair were the mainstay of Mercedes' lineup during their production runs. Together with the more luxurious and somewhat larger 2.2 liter inline-six cylinder Mercedes-Benz W128 220 they constituted 80% of Mercedes-Benz' production between 1953 and 1959.^[2]

History

The 180-190 and W128/W180 220-220S 'Ponton' models looked very similar in appearance from the windscreen back to the six-cylinder somewhat longer 220s-220S-220SE models. From behind, one could not easily differentiate even the top of the line 220SE (E for Einspritzung, or fuel injection) from a 180, but the longer bonnet (and wheelbase) and chrome touches identified it as an upscale, six-cylinder model.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 W186 Adenauer company flaghsip used a much larger frame and body, and was an entirely different car.

The 180-190 four-cylinders were widely used as German taxis. Only these shorter Pontons featured low-wattage parking clearance lights at front bumper top rear. A simple left-right toggle above and to the left of the driver's knee selected which side would illuminate, so as not to needlessly run down the battery in winter, no small concern when restarting diesels. Heater air intakes were on both sides of the radiator grille only on the 120/121.

The form and body of the car changed little during its production run. However, in 1957, a year after the introduction of the 190 saloon, the Mercedes star atop the faux external radiator cap was made spring-loaded to give when bumped: reports at the time indicated that this was either to pander to the requirements of certain export markets, notably Switzerland, or to reduce the risk of pedestrian injury in the event of an accident.^[3] By 1959, the star was spring-retained on a ball base.

A related roadster variant, the R121, better known as the 190SL, was produced from 1955 to 1963.

At the 1959 Frankfurt Motor Show, in time for the 1960 US model year, a slightly wider grille and slimmer taillights were introduced.^[4] The same wider grille was carried forward to the car's in other respects more flamboyantly styled successors, when the Pontons were replaced by the W110 "Fintail" models during 1961.

Models

Type	Chassis code	Years	Model	Engine	Number built[5]
W120 sedan	W120.010	1953–1957	180	1.8 L M136 I4	52,186
		1957–1959	180a	1.9 L M121 I4	27,353
		1959–1961	180b		29,415
		1961–1962	180c		9,280
	W120.110	1953–1959	180D	1.8 L OM636 Diesel I4	116,485
		1959–1961	180Db		24,676
		1961–1962	180Dc	1.8 L OM621 Diesel I4	11,822
W121 sedan	W121.010	1956–1959	190	1.9 L M121 I4	61,345
		1959–1961	190b	1.9 L M121 I4	28,463
	W121.110	1958–1959	190D	1.9 L Diesel I4	20,629
		1959–1961	190Db	1.9 L OM621 Diesel I4	61,309

References

1. An Australian Mercedes-Benz? - www.mbspares.com.au Retrieved on 31 October 2012
2. Morelli-Bertier (1998-12-17). "Raisonnable passion" [Rational passion]. Rétro Hebdo (in French) (Paris, France) (89): 30.
3. Simoneit, Ferdinand, ed. (1977). Vor 20 Jahren: Auto Motor u. Sport in Heft 23 und 24 / 1957 [20 years ago: AMS in issues 23 and 24, 1957]. Auto Motor und Sport (in German) (Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlag GmbH & Co KG). p. 6.
4. http://www.mbzponton.org//valueadded/other/radiator/shell.htm Mercedes-Benz Ponton Radiator Grille Shell Evolution
5. according to: Werner Oswald: Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, vol.5. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-613-02131-5, p. 32.

• "Mercedes 180-D". Road & Track (1959 Road Test Annual): 81–83.

External links

• Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA presents the W120 Ponton