Mercedes-Benz W 120

Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz 180 Dc (W 120)
W 120
Production period:	1953-1962
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.8–1.9 liters (38–50 kW) Diesel engines : 1.8–2.0 liters (29–35 kW)
Length:	4485 mm
Width:	1740 mm
Height:	1560 mm
Wheelbase :	2650 mm
Empty weight :	1180-1220 kg
Previous model	Mercedes-Benz W 136
successor	Mercedes-Benz W 110

The Mercedes-Benz W 120 was the first Mercedes-Benz passenger car with a self-supporting body . The upper middle class model came on the market in 1953 as the successor to the 170 (W 136) and was sold under the designation Mercedes 180 . The successor to the W 120 and its sister model, the W 121 , was the "Small Tailfin" of the W 110 series, presented in 1961 .

With the 180 D presented in 1954 and especially popular as a taxi, the widespread use of the diesel engine in passenger cars began.

Model history

General

Rear view

The first Mercedes with a self-supporting body in the then modern pontoon shape replaced the model from the 1930s with free-standing fenders in 1953. Mercedes introduced the pontoon body later than other manufacturers.

Until 1957, the 180 was powered by the technically overhauled M 136 gasoline engine from the Mercedes 170 V, the design of which dates back to the 1930s. The diesel engine in the 180 D consumed 3 to 4 liters less fuel per 100 kilometers than the gasoline engine. The rear two-joint swing axle used at the beginning was considered difficult to control in bad weather conditions and was therefore replaced in 1956 by the single- joint swing axle .

While there was only a four-door sedan from Mercedes-Benz itself, the bodybuilder Binz produced different body variants. Among other things , Binz built station wagons that were sold through Mercedes dealers. The service vehicles from Mercedes-Benz were also based on this type. In order to circumvent import restrictions in South Africa , a pickup model similar to the American Ford Ranchero was also developed between 1956 and 1958 . Some of these right-hand drive vehicles were delivered complete, and some were finally assembled on site . The ambulances built by Binz had a slightly higher roof than the station wagon and a double door at the back. Other ambulances were built by the manufacturer Miesen , who, in contrast to Binz, also adjusted the height of the side windows to the greater height of the roof. Overall, emerged as 5667 "nerds", of which more than half of the 180 D .

A W 120 at a gas station, 1961

The 4-seater study of a pontoon convertible from 1953

Model variants

Mercedes 180/180 D (1953-1959)

The first pontoon appeared in September 1953, the Mercedes 180. It took over the 1.8-liter engine with 52 hp (38 kW) from its predecessor, the Mercedes 170 S. This was followed in February 1954 by the Mercedes 180 D with a 1.8-liter diesel engine with 40 hp (29 kW), also taken over from the previous model, whose output was increased to 43 hp (32 kW) in 1955.

Mercedes 180 a (1957-1959)

From July 1957, the Mercedes 180 (internal 180 a) received the more powerful 1.9-liter engine introduced in the new 190 (W 121) the previous year, but throttled to 65 hp (48 kW). Like its sister model, it was also offered with improved equipment. It had a larger Mercedes star on the hubcaps, a slightly wider grille and larger taillights. From August 1958, the 180 received the vent windows in the front doors like the 190.

Mercedes 180 b / c / 180 Db / Dc (1959–1962)

For the IAA 1959 the pontoon four-cylinder were revised. They got a wide grille and the front bumper horns were omitted. The Mercedes 180 also got the more powerful braking system of the Mercedes 190. The power of the gasoline engines was increased to 68 HP (50 kW). Internally they got the letter b. Until October 1962, the Mercedes 180 (internal code letter c) was still being built as the Mercedes 180 Dc with a diesel engine with 48 hp (35 kW) enlarged to 2 liters.

Model overview

Construction period	The internal term	Sales description	Engine type	Displacement	Power at 1 / min	Torque at 1 / min	Top speed	Acceleration, 0-100 km / h
1953-1957	W 120 (180)	180	M 136 VII	1767 cc	52 PS (38 kW) / 4000	112 Nm / 1800	126 km / h	31 p
1954-1959	W 120 (180 D)	180 D	OM 636 VII	1767 cc	40 PS (29 kW) (A) / 3200	101 Nm	110 km / h	39 s
1957-1959	W 120 (180 a)	180	M 121 IV	1897 cc	65 PS (48 kW) / 4500	128 Nm / 2200	135 km / h	21 s
1959-1961	W 120 (180 b)	180	M 121 IV-b	1897 cc	68 PS (50 kW) / 4400	130 Nm / 2500	135 km / h	21 s
1959-1961	W 120 (180 Db)	180 D	OM 636 VII	1767 cc	43 hp (32 kW) / 3500	101 Nm / 2000	110 km / h	39 s
1961–1962	W 120 (180 c)	180	M 121 IV-b	1897 cc	68 PS (50 kW) / 4400	145 Nm / 2500	135 km / h	20 s
1961–1962	W 120 (180 Dc)	180 D	OM 621 IV	1988 cc	48 PS (35 kW) / 3800	108 Nm / 2000	110 km / h	36 s

^(A) from 1955: 43 hp (32 kW)

photos

• 

  Mercedes 180 - W 120
  (1953–1957) narrow radiator grille, "horn" on the bumper

• 

  Mercedes 180 b - W 120
  (1959–1962) wide radiator grille, no "horns" on the bumper

• 

  Mercedes 180 b - W 120
  (1959–1962)

• 

  Mercedes 180

• 

  Mercedes 180 ambulance (body Miesen)

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  Mercedes 180 ambulance with Binz body

• 

  Mercedes 180 D.

literature

• The new MB 180 with subframe. In: Motor Vehicle Technology 4/1954, pp. 111–113.
• Alexander Franc Storz: Mercedes-Benz Ponton - from the 180 Diesel to the 220 SE Cabriolet 1953 - 1962; a documentation . 1st edition, Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2011, ISBN 978-3-613-03343-6 (Schrader type chronicle)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ mbzponton.org
2. ↑ mbzponton.org

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 120  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Many details (also technical) about the W120 Ponton on MB Classic