Mercedes-Benz W120

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

Mercedes-Benz W120/W121
Overview
Manufacturer Daimler-Benz
Production 1953–1962
442,963 built
Assembly West Germany
Australia (W121) [1]
Body and chassis
Class Executive car
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

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 windshield 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 hood (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 automobile.

The 180-190 four-cylinders were widely used as German taxicabs. Only these shorter Pontons featured low-wattage parking clearance lights at front fender 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 sedan, 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 grill 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 sedanW120.010 1953–1957180 1.8 L M136 I452,186
1957–1959180a1.9 L M121 I427,353
1959–1961180b29,415
1961–1962180c9,280
W120.1101953–1959180D1.8 L OM636 Diesel I4116,485
1959–1961180Db24,676
1961–1962180Dc1.8 L OM621 Diesel I411,822
W121 sedan W121.010 1956–1959 190 1.9 L M121 I461,345
1959–1961190b1.9 L M121 I428,463
W121.1101958–1959190D1.9 L Diesel I420,629
1959–1961190Db1.9 L OM621 Diesel I461,309

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) (23) (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.

External links

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