The Patina in Detail – 1956 Mercedes-Benz 180 "Ponton"

Every Tuesday, I spend a little time with the fellow enthusiasts at the local car club. We fix up the garage, discuss upcoming events, brew a little coffee and wait for the rain to end – the usual thing. Some get a little time away from home and/or spouses. The car club also has a couple of, well, barn and field finds they want to dispose of, and this post shows you the one with the three-pointed star.

This 1956 Mercedes-Benz 180 W121 “Ponton” has been imported from Sweden to Finland at some point, and has belonged to the same owner since 1966. It’s spent years outside, and gathered some moss on it that was washed away. The underbody is fairly rusty, but the sheetmetal is somewhat straight; the general consensus is that it isn’t too far gone. Importantly, it’s complete and retains all the small parts.

Let the photos talk for themselves.

The rubber is pretty much gone by now, but that’s a given.

Swedish car club badges and the remains of a tax sticker.

I love all the different ways the paintwork has worn. It resembles old denim by now.

Traces of Bondo repair?

You have your brightwork and lightning.

The trunk opens, but it’s a grimy sight inside.

Take a peek in.

Ideally, the Ponton would go to a Mercedes enthusiast not intimidated by the work ahead. It’s too complete for scrap, and it’s only done less than 180 000 km. As forest cars go, this isn’t one of the more hopeless ones.

[Images: Copyright 2013 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]