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New German car trump card - Mercedes-Benz 180 (historical test)

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Created on November 1, 1953

Text:

Heinz Sponsel

Photos:

Daimler AG

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Archiv Daimler AG

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Archiv

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Daimler AG

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Archiv Daimler AG

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Archiv

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - saloon of the W 120 model series, built until 1957

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1956) - W 120 series

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - title page of a brochure with drawing by Hans Liska

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1956) - title page of a brochure

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Mercedes-Benz 170 S (1949) - the hubcaps are painted differently to the standard version

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Mercedes-Benz 170 S (1949) - Wheel covers do not correspond to the final version

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Mercedes-Benz 170 S (1950) - a new Mercedes is born - Wedding in Sindelfingen

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Mercedes-Benz 170 S (1952) - equipped for winter driving with 52 hp

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Mercedes-Benz 170 S (1952) - equipped for winter driving with 52 hp

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - Ponton series W 120

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - with a modern pontoon shape that promised a larger interior and better aerodynamics

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - the pontoon shape enables low air resistance and less wind noise

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - also available with folding sunroof

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - Sedan with the popular folding roof

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - plenty of space in the trunk

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - Interior of the 52 hp saloon

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - Driver's workplace with two-spoke steering wheel and chrome-plated horn ring (W120)

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - Dashboard (W 120)

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - relatively ample space for passengers

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - plenty of space in the interior too

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - Schematic diagram of body and technology (W120)

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - the frame floor system welded to the bodywork

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - Chassis of the first Ponton generation

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1953) - complete chassis without bodywork

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Mercedes Benz 180 (1954) - Exhibition model of the frame floor system, which is the basis for both the 180 and the 220 - Geneva Motor Show 1954

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - Driving stool with four-cylinder engine (52 hp)

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1953) - Driving stool with front axle (W 120)

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Mercedes-Benz 180 (1954) - Attempted accident with rollover

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Summary

From today's perspective, it's hard to imagine. A car manufacturer presents a completely new car that sets new standards in many respects and costs the same as its predecessor, DM 9950. In 1953, Heinz Sponsel gave an in-depth insight into the development history of the Ponton-Mercedes in the magazine 'hobby' shortly after the presentation of the new car and was completely enthusiastic about his first experiences with the 180. This report reproduces the complete text from that time and shows the early Mercedes-Benz 180 in many historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Test track 1.2 million km
New paths in design
Over potholes at 80 km/h!
Perfect cornering

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

When Daimler-Benz -A.G. presented the new Type 180 to the world a few weeks ago, a long period of guesswork came to an end. After word had spread many months ago that the designers in Sindelfingen and Untertürkheim were working on a new model with the factory designation 'W 120', the rumors about the small Mercedes car would not die down. Certainly, it would have been a sensation in the construction program of a company that had previously only produced cars in the medium and large classes. This sensation had yet to materialize. The mysterious camouflage 'W 120' turned out to be 'only' a mid-range car, but it was still a surprise on the automobile market.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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