Mercedes-Benz W120/121

Mercedes-Benz W120/W121

Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Production	1953–1962 442,963 built + 25,881 190SL
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W136/W191
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W110
Class	Midsize car
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door roadster
Wheelbase	104.3 in (2649 mm)
Curb weight	2690 lb (1220 kg)

Mercedes-Benz W120 model at a petrol station, 1961

The Mercedes-Benz W120 and W121 "Ponton" cars were produced from 1953 through 1962. They were sold under the "'180" and "190" model names.

The Ponton models were replaced by the W110 "Fintail" models beginning in 1961. The 180 was the first 'small' Mercedes, it can be thought as the C-class of that era. Mercedes-Benz would return to this market segment in 1982 with the 190E. The W121 190 was the E-class of the time. All the 'Ponton' generation models looked very similar in appearance, one could not clearly identify even a 220SE from a 180, only after seeing its larger size and chrome touches was it possible to identify it as a different model. This was the only generation in which all models looked incredibly similar, though the 300 was exclusive.

The form and body of the car changed little during its production run. However, in 1957, a year after the introduction of the 190 sedan the Mercedes star at the front of the car was made detachable: 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.^[1]

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

Mercedes also produced 6-cylinder Ponton models, the larger W128/W180 220s.

Models

Type	Chassis code	Years	Model	Engine	Number built[2]
W120 sedan	W120.010	1953–1957	180	1.8 L M121 I4	52,186
		1957–1959	180a		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
					Notes
R121 Roadster	121.040 hardtop	1955–1961	190SL	1.9 L M121 I4	921 engine
		1962–1963			928 engine
	121.042 soft top	1955–1961			921 engine
		1962–1963			928 engine

References

1. ^ Auto Motor und Sport Heft 23 Seite 6: Vor 20 Jahren: Auto Motor u. Sport in Heft 23 und 24 / 1957. Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlag GmbH & Co KG. 1977. 
2. ^ 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

• [1] Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA presents the W120 Ponton