Mercedes-Benz 220 S Ponton

Vehicle Description

– 1956 Mercedes-Benz 220 S “Ponton” from the W180 series
– delivered new to general importer Delecroix in France according to original delivery note
– first and only prove of registration in 07/1964
– in 1964 imported to Great Britain, original R.F.60 Green Log Book available
– several invoices from around 2011
– registered until 2013, MOT (technical approval) and insurance documents available
– in 2017 re-imported to Germany
– single piece front seat (“love bench”) and rear seat with foldable armrest
– auxiliary headlights and period correct radio
– engine starts up and runs, conditionally driveable
– solid basis for a restoration
– English registration documents

While other car manufacturers had quickly followed the pioneers Citroen and Opel, who started using unitary construction designs as early as the mid-thirties, Mercedes was a late adopter: Their first unibody car, the 180 of the W120 series, appeared in 1953. It was followed one year later by the larger 220 (W 180), which was subsequently nicknamed “the large Ponton”. Its wheelbase had been extended by 170 mm compared to the “small Ponton”, to make room for an inline-6 cylinder engine and also to provide more leg room for passengers in the rear.
Pundits differentiate between the W180 I or 220a, which was the pre-facelift model until 1956, and the W180 II, or 220 S, which was built between March 1956 and October 1959. The facelift left the car externally largely unaltered, but the 2.2 litre engine received an upgrade and its power output rose from 63 kW (85 hp) to 74 kW (100 hp), and again in 1957 to 78 kW (106 hp).
Nearly 550,000 Ponton sedans were built between 1953 and 1962, subdivided into different series and equipped with various engines. 84,645 fall into the W180 category. The Ponton family also includes a much rarer number of convertibles and coupés.

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