Mercedes-Benz Ponton

The Mercedes-Benz "Ponton" series are a range of sedans / saloon car models from Daimler-Benz, introduced starting in 1953, and nicknamed 'Ponton' (the German word for "pontoon"), referring to the visually distinct fenderline running back from the headlights down the length of the car, looking visually like pontoons on a seaplane, a postwar car design innovation also generally known as ponton styling (as distinct from older models with the hood, body, fenders and running boards all appearing as unique units, and from newer models without visually distinct fenders at all). This slab-sided appearance, along with the 3-box coachwork were considered the height of modern design in the 1950s. More profound than the visual changes, the Ponton models' construction introduced innovations that fundamentally improved automotive safety for passengers through better crash protection. Mercedes-Benz stretched the 'Ponton' saloons into a range that became the automaker's bulk production models until 1959, and the base Ponton is generally considered as the beginning of the lineage of the Mercedes E-class range.

Mercedes-Benz Ponton
The 'Ponton' range, starting with the 1953 type 180, were Mercedes' main models until 1959.
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-Benz
Production1953–1963
Assembly
DesignerFritz Nallinger
Body and chassis
Class
  • Mid-size executive / luxury car
  • Mid-size coupe / cabriolet
Body style
LayoutFR layout
Related
Powertrain
Engine
  • 2,195 cc (2.2 L) M127 I6
  • 2,195 cc (2.2 L) M180 I6
  • 1,897 cc (1.9 L) M121 I4
  • 1,767 cc (1.8 L) M136 I4
  • 1,697 cc (1.7 L) OM636 I4
  • 1,897 cc (1.9 L) OM621 I4
Chronology
Predecessor
Successor
The Mercedes-Benz W120 / W121 had a soft, open roof option.
The Mercedes-Benz 220(S) looked very similar to the shorter 4-cylinders
After the luxury six-cylinder 220a, the intermediate model 219 combined the same stretched nose with the four-cylinder's shorter passenger cell.
1957 Mercedes-Benz W180 220S "Ponton" Cabriolet

The 1953 Mercedes-Benz W120, marketed as 180, four-cylinder sedans were Mercedes' second totally new series of passenger cars since World War II, following the 1951 introduction of the top of the range W186 Type 300 “Adenauer”, and replaced the pre-war-designed Type 170 and Type 170 S. Contrasting very visibly with the traditional distinct fenders on that body-on-frame model and the ones before it, the 'Pontons' were Mercedes' first monocoque, unitary body production models.[1]

Mercedes expanded the base Ponton model into a diversified line-up, developing multiple series based on the 180, by introducing more engines and stretching the body. Six-cylinder models received a longer nose, and 'S'-models also a longer passenger compartment, offering more legroom. A six-cylinder coupe and convertible were further derived, and a shortened floorpan of the four-cylinder sedan was also modified to serve as the structure for the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL roadster.

The 'Ponton' saloons were the automaker's main production models until 1959, adding up to 80% of Mercedes-Benz car production between 1953 and 1959,[2] with some models lasting until 1962. The range was succeeded by the range of "Heckflosse" or "Fintail" models. The base Pontons and their successors, through to the E-class range, also became an almost default make and model of taxi cabs in Germany and surrounding countries, in the second half of the 20th century.


Design history

Daimler-Benz emerged from World War II as a carmaker best known in the early 1950s for its expensive Mercedes-Benz 300 Adenauers and exclusive Mercedes-Benz 300 S sports tourers. Both were largely handbuilt body on frame vehicles. Its low end was anchored by the dated pre-war designed Type 170.

Seeking to expand its production boldly, Mercedes turned toward the unibody concept to design a line of mass-produced cars that would be rugged, reliable, and cost-effective to build in large numbers. Work began in earnest on the pontons bodied cars in 1951, with a design focused on passenger comfort and safety. Head of the design team was Dr. Fritz Nallinger. Styling was headed by Karl Wilfert. Also in the design team was Béla Barényi, who masterminded the passive safety (crash protection) engineering of the body.

The first of the 'Ponton' models to go into production was the 1953 Mercedes-Benz W120, 1.8 L (110 cu in) four-cylinder, four-door sedan, available as the 180 petrol and the 180D diesel. In 1954 the Mercedes-Benz W180 six-cylinder executive / luxury model 220a was added, developed mostly by stretching the W120's body by 170 mm (6.7 in), complemented by a new rear suspension. 100 mm (3.9 in) was needed to fit the longer straight six engine block, and 70 mm (2.8 in) longer rear doors benefited legroom in the passenger cabin. In 1956, the six-cylinder model was expanded into an entire range. The 220a was upgraded to become the 220S. A third saloon series, the Mercedes-Benz W105 was created by grafting the six-cylinder nose onto the shorter center and rear body of the four-cylinder. Fitted with a detuned version of the straight-six, it was sold as the model 219. Additionally, new two-door coupe and convertible bodies were offered for the 220S, on a shortened wheelbase.

In 1956, the four-cylinder model also received an all new, short-stroke 1.9 L (120 cu in) petrol engine option, the 190 (or W121 internally), and in 1957, the old 1.8 litre in the 180 was replaced by a detuned version of the 1.9 litre. In 1958, the base range was further completed by also offering a 1.9 litre diesel.

In 1958, the 220S models were upgraded with fuel injection, and became the Mercedes-Benz W128, or 220SE series. The models 180(D) and 190(D) received further updates in 1959 and 1961.

Designed in safety

Austrian-Hungarian engineer Béla Barényi originally invented and patented the crumple zone concept in 1937 before he worked for Mercedes-Benz, and in a more developed form in 1952.[3] Barény questioned the prevailing opinion until then, that a safe car had to be rigid. He divided the car body into three sections: the central, rigid, non-deforming passenger compartment, and the crumple zones in the front and the rear. They are designed to absorb the energy of an impact (kinetic energy) by deformation during collision.[4][5]

The 1953 W120 "Ponton" partially implemented the concepts of crumple zones and the non-deformable passenger cell into its "three-box design" [6] by having a strong deep platform to form a partial safety cell (patented in 1941).[3] The Mercedes-Benz crumple zones patent (number 854157) granted in 1952, describes the decisive feature of passive safety. The first Mercedes-Benz car developed, fully using this patent was the 1959 successor, the Mercedes W111 “Tail Fin” Saloon.[3]

The 'Ponton's design concept was proven by ADAC crash test facility in June, 2010 when a Mercedes Ponton was crash tested in their Technical Centre in Landsberg am Lech, confirming the existence of the design incorporated into the vehicle. This made for a milestone in car design with front and rear crumple zones for absorbing kinetic energy on impact.

The safety cell and crumple zones were achieved primarily by the design of the longitudinal members: these were straight in the centre of the vehicle and formed a rigid safety cage with the body panels, whereas the front and rear supports were curved, so they deformed in the event of an accident, absorbing part of the collision energy and preventing the full force of the impact from reaching the occupants.[3][7][8][9]

Models and types

There were essentially five models of Ponton bodies on four different wheelbases: three wheelbase length saloons, plus a coupe and cabriolet version on a shortened six-cylinder body. Note the "D" designates a diesel engine, and the suffix "b" and/or "c" are body variants introduced after the middle of 1959.

  • Four-cylinder sedans — 265 cm (104.3 in) wheelbase
    • 1953–1962 W120 petrol — 180, 180a, 180b, 180c
    • 1953–1962 W120 diesel — 180D, 180Db, 180Dc
    • 1956–1961 W121 — 190, 190b, 190d, 190Db
  • Six-cylinder sedan — 275 cm (108.3 in) wheelbase
    • 1956–1959 W105 — 219
  • Six-cylinder sedans — 282 cm (111 in) wheelbase
    • 1954–1959 W180 — 220a, 220S
    • 1958–1960 W128 — 220SE
  • Six-cylinder coupés / cabriolets — 270 cm (106.3 in) wheelbase
    • 1956–1959 W180 — 220S
    • 1958–1960 W128 — 220SE
Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster

The design of the 190 SL roadster differed completely from the Ponton sedans, copying much of the bodywork of the 300SL sportscar, and using the same suspension, but it was constructed on a shortened version of the W121 Ponton floorpan.[10]

  • Four-cylinder roadster with optional hardtop
    • 1955–1962 R121 — 190 SL

Models and engines timeline
Model 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963
180 W120 M136
180a W120 M121
180b W120 M121
180c W120 M121
180D W120 OM636
180Db W120 OM636
180Dc W120 OM621
190 W121 M121
190b W121 M121
190D W121 diesel
190Db W121 OM621
190SL roadster W121 M121
219 W105 M180
220a W180 M180
220S Sedan W180 M180
220SE Sedan W128 M127
220S Coupe/Cab W180 M180
220SE Coupe/Cab W128 M127

Sample specifications

A 1957 brochure provides a cross section of Ponton models then available: [11]

  • Type 180 — 52 PS (51 hp; 38 kW), top speed 126 km/h (78 mph)
  • Type 180D — 43 PS (42 hp; 32 kW), top speed 110 km/h (68 mph)
  • Type 190 — 75 PS (74 hp; 55 kW), top speed 140 km/h (87 mph)
  • Type 219 — 85 PS (84 hp; 63 kW), top speed 148 km/h (92 mph)
  • Type 220S — 100 PS (99 hp; 74 kW), top speed 160 km/h (99 mph)

References and sources
  • Alexander Franc Storz: Mercedes-Benz Ponton – vom 180 Diesel bis zum 220 SE Cabriolet 1953 – 1962 ; eine Dokumentation. 1. Auflage, Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2011, ISBN 978-3-613-03343-6 (Schrader-Typen-Chronik)
  • "Mercedes-Benz Pontons (1953–1962)". mbzponton.org. Retrieved November 30, 2005.
  1. Pioneer of modern automobiles: the Mercedes-Benz 180 (W 120) debuted in 1953 – Daimler Global Media Site
  2. Morelli-Bertier (1998-12-17). "Raisonnable passion" [Rational passion]. Rétro Hebdo (in French). Paris, France (89): 30.
  3. The crumple zone man – AutoSpeed
  4. "Inventors Gallery: Biography Barényi". German Patent and Trade Mark Office. 2004. He divided the car body into three sections: the rigid non-deforming passenger compartment and the crumple zones in the front and the rear. They are designed to absorb the energy of an impact (kinetic energy) by deformation during collision
  5. Grabianowski, Ed (2008-08-11). "How Crumple Zones Work - Force of Impact". HowStuffWorks. System1. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  6. "AutoEvolutionHowCrumplezoneswork". motoring.independent.co.uk. 2006-01-24. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  7. 1959 Mercedes-Benz W111 Fintail – Mercedes-Benz
  8. Historischer Werbefilm Mercedes Benz zum Thema Sicherheit 1960er Jahre S/W [Historic commercial, safety-themed Mercedes-Benz film; 1960s B&W] (in German).
  9. Béla Barényi – a history of safety - Mercedes-Benz original.
  10. "RitzSite Mercedes-Benz 190 SL 1955–1963; page 2". Ritzsite.net. 2002. Archived from the original on 2006-04-05. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  11. 1957 Mercedes-Benz brochure, specifications page (in German; archived)
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