Mercedes-Benz W105

The Mercedes-Benz W105 is the internal designation for a four-door executive car, manufactured by Daimler-Benz from 1956 to 1959, and marketed as the Mercedes-Benz Typ(e) 219. The W105 was nicknamed Ponton, along with its Mercedes model siblings, from its introduction, because it employed ponton, or pontoon styling, a defining post-war car design innovation that unified a car's previously articulated bonnet, wings, body and running boards into a singular, slab-sided envelope.

Mercedes-Benz W105 219
Mercedes-Benz 219 (W105)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz (saloons) IMA (estates)
Production	1956–1959 27,845 built
Body and chassis
Class	luxury car (F)
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz W120/W121 — 180 (D) & 190 (D) Mercedes-Benz W180 — 220a/S Mercedes-Benz W128 — 220SE
Powertrain
Engine	2195 cc M180 II I6
Transmission	4-speed manual, lever on steering column
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,750 mm (108.3 in)
Length	4,650 mm (183.1 in) from 8–1957: 468 cm (184 in)
Width	1,740 mm (68.5 in)
Height	1,560 mm (61.4 in)
Curb weight	1,290 kg (2,844 lb) (dry) 1,725 kg (3,803 lb) (loaded)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W142
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W128

The Mercedes 219 (internally W105), had a 2.2 L inline 6-cylinder engine, and uniquely featured a bodyshell that combined the stretched nose of the more luxury W128 and W180 models 220a and 220 S(E), but shared the regular standard wheelbase cabine, with shorter rear doors, with the 1953 entry-level 4-cylinder Mercedes W120/W121 models 180 and 190, to offer an intermediate no-frills 6-cylinder model option.

History

The body shape had been introduced in 1953 by the W120 chassis 180. In the following year, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 6-cylinder 220a which was visually similar to the 180, but with a 170 mm (7 in) longer wheelbase, and an entirely new rear suspension design. 100 mm (4 in) were added to the front to accommodate the two extra cylinders and 70 mm (3 in) added to the rear doors to provide more legroom for the rear passengers. This model ran until 1956 when the 219 and the 220S were introduced.

Model identification

The 219 from the a-pillar forward was identical to the long-nosed 220a, including the single-carburettor 2.2 L 6-cylinder engine. However, from the a‑pillar back, it used the shorter body of the W120/W121 180/190 models — accordingly, wheelbase and total length of the 219 were shorter compared to the 220 S, but bigger compared to the 190. This can be identified by the one-piece windows in the rear doors, as opposed to the 220a and 220S having separate quarter windows.

Inside, the 219 used the simpler instrumentation of the small car, along with bakelite trim instead of woodgrain.

Model	Years	Chassis code	Engine	Displacement	Power	Built
219	3/56–7/59	105.010 105.011	M 180.921 / R 6	2195 cc	86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp)	27,845

Technical data Mercedes-Benz W105 (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)

Mercedes-Benz	219
Engine	6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted
Bore x Stroke	80 mm x 72.8 mm
Displacement	2195 cc
Max. Power	86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp) @ 4800 rpm
Max. Torque	157 N⋅m (116 lbf⋅ft) @ 2400 rpm
Compression Ratio	7.6:1
Fuel feed:	Double downdraft carburetor Solex 32 PAATI
Fuel tank capacity	56 L (14.8 US gal; 12.3 imp gal)
Valvetrain	SOHC, duplex chain
Cooling	Water
Gearbox	4-speed manual, lever on steering column rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 4.10:1 from August 1957: 3.90:1
Electrical system	12 volt
Front suspension	Double wishbones, coil springs, stabilising bar
Rear suspension	Swing axle, coil springs
Brakes	Drum brakes (Ø 230 mm), power assisted optional
Steering	Recirculating ball steering
Body structure	Sheet steel, unibody construction
Track front	1,430 mm (56 in)
Track rear	1,470 mm (58 in)
Tire sizes	6.40 x 13
Top speed	148 km/h (92 mph)
Fuel Consumption (estimate)	11.2 L/100 km (25 mpg‑imp; 21.0 mpg‑US)