Mercedes-Benz · 1953–1962

Mercedes-Benz W120

The Mercedes-Benz W120 and Mercedes-Benz W121 are technically similar inline-four cylinder sedans of slightly different engine displacements made as two model series by Mercedes-Benz, the 180 and 190: the W120 was introduced as the 180 in 1953, powered by the company's existing 1.8 liter M136 engine. From 1954, the W120 was also offered with a diesel engine as the Mercedes-Benz 180 D. Both versions were sold through 1962 the W121 debuted as the 190 in 1956, powered by a 1.9 liter M121 engine,. From 1958, it was also offered with the OM621 diesel, sold as the 190 D. Both versions were sold through 1961. Each model's diesel version received engine upgrades during its run. Together with the longer wheelbase and more luxurious 2.2-liter inline-six cylinder W105 219 W180 220 and W128 220SE models, they constituted 80 percent of Mercedes-Benz' car production between 1953 and 1959. The W121 190/190D were replaced by the Mercedes-Benz W110 190c/190Dc in 1961. The W120 was the first predecessor to the medium size Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan line.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz W136 · Successor: Mercedes-Benz W121

All Mercedes-Benz W120 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

History

The base, four-cylinder 180/190 and the W105 six-cylinder 219 Ponton models looked very similar in appearance, from the rear doors forward, to the more luxury W128 and W180 stretched wheelbase six-cylinder 220a and 220 S(E) models. From behind, one could not easily differentiate even the top-of-the-line 220SE (E for 'Einspritzung', or fuel injection) from a base 180 model, but the longer bonnet (and wheelbase), and chrome touches identified it as an upscale, six-cylinder model. The 1951 to 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 W186 Adenauer company flagship was a much larger car, with its own frame, body, interior, and engine. It was followed through 1962 by an updated limousine length Mercedes-Benz 300d W189. The W120/W121 shared their Ponton nickname with other Mercedes models, drawn from their ponton styling, a prominent design and styling trend regarded as resembling a pontoon that unified a car's previously articulated hood, body, fenders and running boards into a singular envelope. The 180 and 190 four-cylinders were widely used as German taxis. Only these shorter Pontons featured low-wattage parking clearance lights at front bumper top rear. As in other Mercedes models, a simple toggle switch above the driver's left knee selected which side would illuminate, so as not to needlessly run down the battery, no small concern when restarting diesels in winter. Heater air intakes were on both sides of the radiator grille only on the W120/W121. 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 180's 56 PS (41 kW; 55 hp) M136 engine, which had originally been designed for the Mercedes-Benz 170 Sb, was replaced with a downtuned version of the 190's M 121. The same year, the Mercedes star atop the

Technical description

The Mercedes-Benz W120 and W121 are four-door saloons with a longitudinal front engine, and rear-wheel drive. Rolling chassis with either two or four doors were also available from the factory. The cars have a self-supporting body, the so-called "Ponton" body. The wheelbase measures 2650 mm, which is slightly less than the larger "Ponton" saloons' 2750 mm. In front, the W 120 and W 121 have independent double-wishbone suspension, in rear, they have either a double-joint swing axle (until September 1955), or a single-joint swing axle (from September 1955). Both front and rear wheels are coil-sprung; the front axle is fitted with a torsion-type anti-sway bar, and the rear wheels have additional hydraulic shock absorbers. Daimler-Benz installed a recirculating ball steering system and a hydraulic drum braking system in the 120- and 121-series. Mercedes-Benz built the W120 with all of their then-present four-cylinder engines: the M136 and M121 petrol engines, and the OM636 and OM621 diesels, with most W120 and W121 cars powered by either of the Diesel engines. The torque is sent from the engine to the rear wheels through a dry single-disc clutch and a synchronised, four-speed constant-mesh gearbox. The shift lever is a rather small lever mounted on the steering column.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Mercedes-Benz W120/W121
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Production: 1953–1962, 442,963 built
Assembly: Germany: Sindelfingen, Australia: Port Melbourne, South Africa: East London
Related: Mercedes-Benz W105 — 219, Mercedes-Benz W180 — 220a/S, Mercedes-Benz W128 — 220SE, Dongfeng CA71
Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz W136, Mercedes-Benz W191
Successor: Mercedes-Benz W110
Class: Executive car (E)
Layout: FR layout
Body style: 4-door sedan
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Length: 180: 4460 mm, 180 a / 190: 4485 mm, 180 b/c, 190 b: 4500 mm
Width: 1740 mm
Height: 1560 mm
Kerb weight: 1150 kg—1220 kg
Designer: Karl Wilfert

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q564798CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W120/W121CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373851635 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mercedes_180_2_v_sst.jpgGPL · Photo: see file page · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.