Mercedes-Benz Ponton

Mercedes-Benz Ponton
The 'Ponton' range, starting with the 1953 type 180, were Mercedes' main models until 1959.
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1953–1963
Assembly	West Germany: Stuttgart Australia: Port Melbourne South Africa: East London, Eastern Cape
Designer	Fritz Nallinger
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size executive/luxury car Mid-size coupe / cabriolet
Body style	4-Door Sedan 4-Door Limousine 2-Door Coupe 2-Door Convertible
Layout	FR layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz W120 / W121 Mercedes-Benz W105 Mercedes-Benz W128 Mercedes-Benz W180
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	Mercedes-Benz W136 Mercedes-Benz W191 Mercedes-Benz W187
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W110 Mercedes-Benz W111

The Mercedes-Benz "Ponton" series is a range of sedans / saloon car models from Daimler-Benz, introduced starting in 1953, and subsequently nicknamed 'Ponton' (the German word for "pontoon"), referring to its ponton styling, a prominent styling trend that unified the previously articulated hood, body, fenders and runnings boards into a singular, often slab-sided envelope. At the time, Mercedes itself did not refer to any of its cars using the nickname.

Mercedes stretched the 'Ponton' saloons into a range that became the automaker's dominant production models until 1959.^{[citation needed]}

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, 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 had 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.