Mercedes-Benz E-Class I (W120/W121) photos

1953 — 1962 · sedan

photos

specifications

39–79

16.0 s

best 0–100

Photos

Mercedes-Benz E-Class I (W120/W121), sedan, grey, front three-quarter view — photo 61136

Ponton (1953-1962) Black and white photo of a classic 1950s four-door sedan with rounded body styling, a tall upright front grille, and round headlights parked near a landscaped slope.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class I (W120/W121), sedan, black, front three-quarter view — photo 61135

Ponton (1953-1962) A classic dark four-door sedan with rounded ponton body styling, a prominent vertical chrome grille, and circular headlights, parked outdoors on an asphalt surface against a backdrop of trees and shrubs.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class I (W120/W121), sedan, blue, front three-quarter view — photo 61134

Ponton (1953-1962) A classic vintage four-door sedan in dark blue finish with a chrome radiator grille and round headlights, photographed in a studio against a dark background from a front three-quarter angle.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class I (W120/W121) photo 61133

Ponton (1953-1962)

Mercedes-Benz E-Class I (W120/W121) photo 61132

Ponton (1953-1962)

Mercedes-Benz E-Class I (W120/W121), sedan, black, front three-quarter view — photo 61131

Ponton (1953-1962) Black and white photograph of a classic 1950s four-door sedan. The car is captured from a front three-quarter view against a backdrop of trees and a building.

About this generation

First generation executive Mercedes-Benz W120/W121 'Ponton' series, manufactured from 1953 to 1962 as the historic origin of the E-Class line.

The Mercedes-Benz W120 and W121 series, manufactured from 1953 through 1962 and commercially marketed under the 180 and 190 model names, represent the historic lineage ancestor of the modern E-Class. Affectionately nicknamed 'Ponton' due to its unibody pontoon-style exterior styling with fully integrated front and rear fenders, the design departed completely from pre-war separate-fender running board automobiles. This structural architecture delivered vastly improved torsional rigidity, reduced overall vehicle curb weight, and created a remarkably spacious passenger cabin with superior acoustic damping.

Powertrain choices included dependable 1.8-liter M136 and 1.9-liter M121 gasoline four-cylinders alongside OM636 and OM621 diesel engines (180 D, 190 D), which established Mercedes-Benz's global reputation for diesel endurance and taxicab fleet longevity. Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a column-mounted four-speed manual transmission. Mid-cycle technical and styling refinements in 1959 and 1961 updated front grille treatments, interior materials, and braking components before making way for the Heckflosse generation.

Specifications

4485 mm176.6 in

Length

1740 mm68.5 in

Width

1560 mm61.4 in

Height

2650 mm104.3 in

Wheelbase

Petrol

180

51hp(38 kW)

1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 31.0 s

1953–1957

Torque: 110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
Top speed: 126 km/h (78 mph)
Displacement: 1767 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M 136 VII
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1120 kg (2469 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

180 a

64hp(48 kW)

1.9 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 21.0 s

1957–1959

Torque: 128 Nm (94 lb-ft)
Top speed: 135 km/h (84 mph)
Displacement: 1897 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M 121 B IV
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1150 kg (2535 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

180 b

67hp(50 kW)

1.9 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 21.0 s

1959–1961

Torque: 135 Nm (100 lb-ft)
Top speed: 135 km/h (84 mph)
Displacement: 1897 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M 121 B IV
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1160 kg (2557 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

180 c

67hp(50 kW)

1.9 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 21.0 s

1961–1962

Torque: 135 Nm (100 lb-ft)
Top speed: 135 km/h (84 mph)
Displacement: 1897 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M 121 B IV
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1160 kg (2557 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

190

74hp(55 kW)

1.9 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 17.0 s

1956–1959

Torque: 137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
Top speed: 140 km/h (87 mph)
Displacement: 1897 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M 121 BI
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1160 kg (2557 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

190 b

79hp(59 kW)

1.9 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 16.0 s

1959–1961

Torque: 142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
Top speed: 145 km/h (90 mph)
Displacement: 1897 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: M 121 BI
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1170 kg (2579 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

Diesel

180 D

39hp(29 kW)

1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 39.0 s

1954–1955

Torque: 101 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed: 110 km/h (68 mph)
Displacement: 1767 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: OM 636 VII
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1180 kg (2601 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

180 D

43hp(32 kW)

1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 39.0 s

1955–1959

Torque: 101 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed: 110 km/h (68 mph)
Displacement: 1767 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: OM 636 VII
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1180 kg (2601 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

180 Db

43hp(32 kW)

1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 39.0 s

1959–1961

Torque: 101 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Top speed: 110 km/h (68 mph)
Displacement: 1767 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: OM 636 VII
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1190 kg (2623 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

180 Dc

47hp(35 kW)

2.0 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 32.0 s

1961–1962

Torque: 118 Nm (87 lb-ft)
Top speed: 123 km/h (76 mph)
Displacement: 1988 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: OM 621 III
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1220 kg (2690 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

190 D

50hp(37 kW)

1.9 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 29.0 s

1958–1959

Torque: 113 Nm (83 lb-ft)
Top speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
Displacement: 1897 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: OM 621 I
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1210 kg (2668 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

190 Db

50hp(37 kW)

1.9 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 29.0 s

1959–1961

Torque: 113 Nm (83 lb-ft)
Top speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
Displacement: 1897 cc
Cylinders: 4
Engine: OM 621 I
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1220 kg (2690 lb)
Fuel tank: 56 l (14.8 gal US)

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