1955 | Mercedes-Benz 180

This ‘barn-find’ 1955 Mercedes Ponton is a great find and promises to be a rewarding project with lots of potential.

Introduced in 1953, just eight years after the end of WW2, the Ponton, as it was nicknamed, was the second completely new model series after the war. Its unofficial name derived from its styling, which replaced the pre-war separate wings with a unified body. Models like this 180 were the car that put Mercedes back on its feet as Germany’s economic miracle took hold.

First registered in the Ruhr Valley in 1955, it remained in that area until the early 70s when its doctor owner moved to the UK bringing it with him. Initially he planned to register the car in the UK, but as we see from a letter in the car’s history file to HMRC, he changed his mind due to the rising cost of fuel. As such, this Ponton has not been on the road for over 50 years and still retains its German registration complete with buff registration book.

By the early 90s the car had been discovered and purchased by a Mercedes enthusiast who began the process of restoring the car. He purchased new floors and sills from Mercedes and fitted them.

Unfortunately, he never lived to see the car back on the road and for the last twenty years it’s remained tucked away, protected from the elements in a garage in London.

Despite its 50+ years off the road, it does actually run and drive under its own power, but it will need properly going through and it doesn’t have any brakes.

The body is tidy and really solid, and the paintwork is shiny not perfect but very presentable. There’s a bit of damage to the left rear wing but no rot and a bit of bubbling on the boot lid. The underside is solid thanks to the work carried out by the last owner.

Mechanically it’s all there and has obviously had work and does runs but will need thoroughly going through.

The interior needs work. The original fabric seats are in place, but the headliner and carpets are missing (bows come with the car).

Using the documentation can easily be registered in the UK or can export back to mainland Europe and be registered using its German papers.

A rare car in the UK that has seen the light of day for the first time since the 70s. What a great project to bring back to life.