Mercedes-Benz W105 buyer's guide

The 219 — the small Ponton body paired with the big six-cylinder engine.

Years: 1956–1959 · Models: 219

Overview

The 219 was a short-run bridge model: it combined the smaller 190 Ponton body with the 2.2-litre six-cylinder engine of the 220a, giving near-220 performance at a lower price. About 27,800 were built, it was never common in the United States, and it is now one of the rarest Ponton variants. Trim and details are shared with the W120/W180 Ponton family, which helps a great deal with parts.

Engines

The 2.2-litre M180 overhead-cam six with a single carburettor, producing about 85 horsepower.

What to check

• Rust in the unit body's floor pans, sills, jacking points, and the front subframe mounts — the Ponton family's usual areas.
• Front suspension wear, particularly the king pins and their bushings, which show up as play in the steering.
• Carburettor condition and cold starting; a worn Solex makes for poor running that is often blamed on the engine.
• Trim pieces unique to the 219, which are scarcer than the shared Ponton parts.
• The condition of the interior wood and the correct functioning of the heater, both expensive to put right well.

Values

Rarity is the 219's main claim, together with originality — most survivors in the United States were private imports. Values sit above the four-cylinder Pontons but below the 220S, and a complete, original car is worth more than a restored one with incorrect details.

Buying tips

Confirm the engine is the correct M180 six and not a later swap, and take comfort that most mechanical parts interchange with the wider Ponton family — the 219 is rare, but it is not orphaned.

See the 1 W105 cars currently listed.