Mercedes-Benz 180
| Mercedes-Benz W120/W121 | |
|---|---|
Mercedes-Benz 180b (W120)
|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Daimler-Benz |
| Production | 1953–1962 442,963 built |
| Assembly | East London, South Africa |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in (2649 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2690 lb (1220 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W136/W191 |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz W110 |
This page combines information on both the Mercedes-Benz W120 180 and W121 190 sedans
West Germany
Port Melbourne, Australia (W121)
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 Mercedes-Benz 180 through 1962.
The Mercedes-Benz W121 was introduced in 1956, powered by a 1.9 liter M121 engine. It sold as the Mercedes-Benz 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.
The 180-190 and W128/W180 220-220S 'Ponton' models looked very similar in appearance from the windscreen 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 bonnet (and wheelbase) and chrome touches identified it as an upscale, six-cylinder model.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 W186 Adenauer company flagship used a much larger frame and body, and was an entirely different car.
The 180-190 four-cylinders were widely used as German taxis. Only these shorter Pontons featured low-wattage parking clearance lights at front bumper 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.
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Wikipedia