1956 Mercedes-Benz 219 ‘Ponton’
Daimler-Benz created this upper-middle-class sedan by combining components from different model lines to fill a gap in its lineup. The W105 chassis married the longer six-cylinder front end and 2.2-liter M180 engine from the 220a with the more compact passenger compartment of the four-cylinder 180/190 models.
This hybrid approach resulted in a shorter wheelbase than the 220S while maintaining six-cylinder performance, positioning it as a no-frills alternative between the more affordable 190 and the upscale 220S.
Part of the “Ponton” family (named for its pontoon-style body that integrated previously separate fenders and running boards into a unified form), the 219 featured distinctive single-piece rear door windows without the vent windows found on larger six-cylinder models. Interior appointments were simpler than those of the 220S, using Bakelite trim instead of wood.
The M180 straight-six initially produced 85 horsepower at 4,800 rpm, later increased to 90 horsepower, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Top speed was approximately 92 mph.
Production ran from March 1956 through July 1959, with 27,845 examples built. Roughly 16,000 were exported. Despite costing about 1,050 Deutsche Marks less than the 220S, the 219’s shorter rear compartment limited its appeal, resulting in roughly half the sales of its longer sibling.
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