The Mercedes-Benz W120 and W121 are technically similar four-cylinder saloons of slightly different engine size, sold as the 180 and 190. The W120 arrived in 1953 with the existing 1.8-litre M136 engine.
Mercedes-Benz W120/W121 at a glance
| W120 180 | 1953, 1.8-litre M136 |
|---|---|
| W120 180 D | from 1954 |
| W120 production | 1953–1962 |
| W121 190 | 1956, 1.9-litre M121 |
| W121 190 D | from 1958, OM621 diesel |
| W121 production | 1956–1961 |
| Share of production | with the six-cylinder Pontons, 80 per cent between 1953 and 1959 |
| Successor | W110 190c and 190Dc in 1961 |
| Engine change | 1957, the 180 received a detuned 190 engine |
| Related car | W121 B II 190 SL roadster |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the W120 and W121.
History of the Mercedes-Benz W120/W121
The W120 was introduced as the 180 in 1953 with the company’s existing 1.8-litre M136 engine, and from 1954 it was also offered as the 180 D with a diesel. The W121 appeared as the 190 in 1956 with a 1.9-litre M121 engine and from 1958 could be had with the OM621 diesel as the 190 D. Diesel versions of each received engine upgrades during their runs. Both W120 versions were sold through 1962, the W121 190 and 190 D through 1961, when they were replaced by the W110 190c and 190Dc.
Together with the longer-wheelbase and more luxurious six-cylinder W105 219, W180 220 and W128 220 SE, these four-cylinder cars made up 80 per cent of Mercedes-Benz car production between 1953 and 1959. The 180 and 190 were widely used as German taxis. From the rear doors forward the four-cylinder Pontons looked very similar to the six-cylinder models, and from behind even a 220 SE could be mistaken for a base 180, though the longer bonnet and wheelbase and the chrome details gave the six away. Only these shorter Pontons had low-wattage parking clearance lights at the top of the front bumper, switched side to side by a toggle above the driver’s left knee so as not to drain the battery when restarting a diesel in winter, and heater air intakes on both sides of the radiator grille.
The body changed little during production, but in 1957, a year after the 190 saloon arrived, the 180’s 56 PS M136 engine, originally designed for the 170 Sb, was replaced by a detuned version of the 190’s M121. That year the Mercedes star on the dummy radiator cap became spring-loaded to give when bumped, either for certain export markets such as Switzerland or to reduce injury to pedestrians. At the 1959 Frankfurt show a slightly wider grille and slimmer tail lights were introduced, and that wider grille carried over to the W110 Fintail successors in 1961. The W120 was the first predecessor of the medium-size E-Class saloon line.
Design and features
- Four-cylinder Pontons: the 180 and 190 in petrol and diesel form.
- Taxi work: a common sight on German streets.
- Parking lights: a low-wattage switchable system for the shorter cars.
- Spring-loaded star: introduced in 1957 for safety or export rules.
Mercedes-Benz W120/W121 versions
- 180 (1953): 1.8-litre petrol.
- 180 D (1954): diesel version.
- 190 (1956): 1.9-litre petrol.
- 190 D (1958): 1.9-litre diesel.
- 190 SL (W121 B II): the related two-door roadster.
The W120 and W121 were the four-cylinder members of the Ponton family, succeeded by the W110. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: 1960 Mercedes-Benz 180B Ponton
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz W120/W121, English Wikipedia: models, engines, production, details
