1959 Mercedes-Benz 190b Ponton Sedan, 40,963 miles, Barn find, 4-spd manual

1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 Ponton Sedan

MotoeXotica is happy to offer a car that appeals to those who are ready for their next classic Mercedes restoration or if someone wants a period driver with this 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 Ponton Sedan.

Almost all of the original exterior trim bits are present except for the radio antenna and hood ornament but the trunk is dry. Right taillight needs a new lens cover and its companion need to be flipped 180 degrees to be correctly installed.

Finished in its factory correct (code DB-190) Graphite Gray original paint with front and rear bumpers that do not appear to have been re-chromed, this car would make for an excellent base for a full restoration or get it running and drive it as a 57-year-old survivor. Car is being sold untested and not running.

While the car has been in a garage slumbering for several years, we do have a September 1999 receipt in hand for $3,748 from Tri-Star Mercedes-Benz here in St. Louis. The extensive work includes: steering shock absorber, drag links, steering arm and knuckles, control arms, tie rods, wheel alignment, king pin bushings, idler arm bushings, a propeller shaft flex disc and other assorted hardware.

Inside, almost all of the interior trim bits are present, including both rear ashtrays. Some interior trim will need attention but the original VDO gauges and clock reside in the instrument panel, as does the original Blaupunkt AM radio and the floorpan is in fair shape. The front bucket and rear bench seats, finished in tan, are in good shape.

The 190 sedan, unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1956, was one of three new models shown to the public. The body style was nearly the same as that of the 180 sedan but there was a new 1.9L single overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that made 84 horsepower and 101 lbs-ft of torque. Mounted on four separate points on the U-frame, the engine operated more quietly than in previous iterations. Interior trimmings in the 190 were slightly better quality than those of the 180.

There were essentially four types of Ponton cars. Note the “D” designates a diesel engine, and the suffix “b” and/or “c” are body variants introduced after the middle of 1959. They 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 percent of Mercedes-Benz’s production between 1953 and 1959. Production figures for the 190 model totaled 6,975 in 1959 and 61,345 copies from 1956 to 1959.

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.

The form and body of the car changed little during its production run. However, in 1957, a year after the introduction of the 190 saloon, the Mercedes star atop the faux external radiator cap was made spring-loaded to give when bumped; reports at the time indicated that this was either to pander to the requirements of certain export markets, notably Switzerland, or to reduce the risk of pedestrian injury in the event of an accident. By 1959, the star was spring-retained on a ball base.

Called the Ponton, the nickname comes from the German word for pontoon and refers to one definition of pontoon fenders — and a postwar styling trend, subsequently called ponton styling. The “Heckflosse” or Fintail models replaced the Pontons.

Current mileage on the odometer shows 40,963 miles. It is sold as is and on a clear and mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

VIN: A1210109504296

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