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The Variants The Ponton was produced and designed in several body and engine types. The first model produced came out in a basic four cylinder side-valve engine version, called the 180 sedan. It was followed by the 180a sedan (produced from June 1957 to July 1959) that had an overhead valve engine with an overhead camshaft; then by the 190 sedan (March 1956 to August 1959). Distinguishing the 190 sedan was a modified engine derived from the 190SL roadster (May 1955 to February 1963), but the former was fitted with only one Solex carburetor instead of the two twin barrel carburetors used by the 190SLs. The only outward difference between the 190 models were a chromium plated strip under the side windows. Diesel engines were optional for the 180 and 190 sedans, which made them very popular as taxis. In 1959, the 180b and 190b sedans came out with several modifications, including a redesigned sub-frame for the front suspension unit. The production of the “b” version of the 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel sedans lasted until October 1962. Besides having a more muscular 6-cylinder engine and more legroom, the bigger siblings were more desirable and are getting harder to find these days. This includes the 220a (June 1954 to April 1956), which was replaced by the 219 (March 1956 to July 1959); then joined by the 220S (March 1956 to August 1959) and the 220SE model (October 1958 to August 1959). Both the 220S and 220SE were available as a coupé or cabriolet. On top of the pecking order were the three sports cars produced by Mercedes-Benz during that period. Heading the list is the venerable 6-cylinder, 2-seater 300SL “Gullwing” coupé (August 1954 to May 1957); followed by the 6- cylinder, 2-seater 300SL roadster-cabriolet (August 1957- February 1963); and then its junior brother the 4-cylinder, 2-seater 190SL roadster cabriolet (May 1955-February 1963). The chassis of the 190SL roadster had a unitary construction design similar to that of the sedans and coupés while the 300SL (both the “Gullwing” and roadster) had a unique light-weight tubular space frame design on which the body panels were supported. |
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