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)

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.

External links