another Benz adopts OzBenzHead

[OzBenzHead]

It happened again - and, as usual, without my seeking it!  What is it about me that attracts old (and seriously-major project!) Benzes?!   (Rhetorical question; answer not required!  )

Today, a 1956 Ponton (W180 220a) - once upon a time coloured black - found its way into my ownership from a farm shed - for the cost of the towing.   It had to be moved because the shed was about to be demolished for redevelopment of the land.   My local towie called me and insisted I take it because he didn't want to crush it or to leave it exposed to the elements in his junk yard.

It's not at all a pretty sight - I think the word is "tragic"! - and is covered in surface rust and blisters.   The owner had acquired it years ago as a restorer but had done nothing more than pull some bits off it before losing interest (or perhaps being "reclaimed" by his missus?).   At least it languished in a dry shed rather than a paddock!   The rego (according to the sticker) expired in July 1979!

It might not be worth restoring and may end up as a parts source - but at that price, why would I care? The first thing it will need is a major clean-out; following that, an assessment of its restoration potential.   The latter will take time, as I've a lot of other projects on the go.

The four doors still open and shut like new and the gaps between them and the adjoining panels are still perfect!  One rear guard and the bumpers are detached (but whole and there); the boot lid is in the cabin; all glass is intact; there is no interior - seats, door cars, floor coverings ...   .   All tyres are flat as pancakes (and are fabric-reinforced cross-plies).

It appears to be mechanically complete save a battery and generator.   What I found really amazing was the engine oil: clear as new.   Of course, it might be 30 years old and all the crud has fallen to the bottom of the sump.

And it has something I've never before seen on a Ponton: a steel sliding roof (with an unfortunate dent in it     ).   According to the www.mbzponton.org site, these were "extremely rare".

The numbers I've found so far (will do a more thorough investigation in the morning) are:

Engine: 180 921 Z 65 02982 (read from the rego label, as light was inadequate to read the plate on the engine);
Body: RA 180 010 65 00292.

According to the mbzponton site, the 220a was produced from June '56, so it was built in the second half of that year. It might have been the 292nd one built out of a total of 25,937.

These numbers indicate that it is a '56 220a (single carb) with Hydrak clutch.   I didn't observe whether there was a clutch pedal, the presence of which would indicate a conversion to standard clutch.   Will check it tomorrow.

The item that puzzles me - and is not explained on the mbzponton site - is the "A" following the "R" at the beginning of the body number.   My first thought was Australian assembly, but  from the data on the mbzponton site it seems to be a couple of years too old for that.

(No photos yet, as my camera is refusing to power-up.   I think it is suffering from a - hopefully not terminal! - dose of condensation from the OTT humidity we've been having.)

Updates as they happen.

For comparison: The following Pontons seem to be far worse than mine.  (Their vendor is obviously a dreamer!)

For a Buy-it-now price of $6K:  Link

For a Buy-it-now price of $5K:  Link

[Andrew280SEL]

Wow, congrats OBH on your find.

Have you got any immediate plans for it?

And even though it might scare us, pics would be cool sometime I guess (when your camera works again)...

[116Benz]

Depending on how big the piggy bank is OBH, Pontons do look really nice restored, I read the article about the U.S Classic centre rescuing one in similiar circumstances, along with a mint example they have already. It could be good you know...

[Brian Crump]

Therapy, Gordon, does not mean you are compelled to rescue every Benz....
Of course, the good Karl may be looking down from on high to bless you!! Your sainthood is in the mail.
Oh, you are an unbeliever? 
Regards,
BC

[CraigS]

The "A" prefix stands for Aufbau, meaning construction. The system was dropped in 1960. The "Z" does indicate a Hydrak transmission, but many were converted to manuals. The sunroof is rare, but will only fit a 180/190 body. If it can be straightened, it would be worth cutting the roof off and keeping it. I wouldn't entertain any ideas of restoring it - it will have minimal value at the end and will cost more than double what it is worth.

[OzBenzHead]

The "A" prefix stands for Aufbau, meaning construction. The system was dropped in 1960.

Ah - thank you.  A new word for my German vocabulary!   

The "Z" does indicate a Hydrak transmission, but many were converted to manuals.

It's there in my engine number, but not the body number - and according to this chart from the mbzponton site should be in both.   Perhaps my engine was changed - but over 28.5 years ago, as that's when the rego expired and I read the engine number off the rego label.

The sunroof is rare, but will only fit a 180/190 body. If it can be straightened, it would be worth cutting the roof off and keeping it.

From Link:

A sliding fabric sunroof (made by Webasto) was available as a factory option on all 4 and 6 cylinder sedan models.  A less common option was the steel sunroof (also made by Webasto) available on 6 cylinder sedans and coupés.

I wouldn't entertain any ideas of restoring it - it will have minimal value at the end and will cost more than double what it is worth.

You may well be right.  I shall take my time (when other projects are out of the way) to realistically assess its restoration / parts potential.  Meanwhile it's out of the weather.

[CraigS]

You should request a copy of the data sheet and verify that it was supplied with the car.

[OzBenzHead]

You should request a copy of the data sheet and verify that it was supplied with the car.

Already in process.   

[s class]

Ah well done Gordon.  Thanks for saving it.  No benz deserves to die - at worst they can be organ donors to assist others in surviving.  But the sunroof is nice. 

[CraigS]

Maybe you can turn it into this

http://www.reinaintlauto.com/inventory_detailed.php?id=3048&nhs=30&make=&model=&ext_color=&stockno=&eyear=2007&syear=1930&eprice=&sprice=&keywords=&location=Reina%20International%20Auto&type=used&specials=&rtd=&mileage=&ob=&desc=&d_trim=&d_year=1959&d_make=Me

[s class]

This time I'm lost for words...

[OzBenzHead]

Maybe you can turn it into this

http://www.reinaintlauto.com/inventory_detailed.php?id=3048&nhs=30&make=&model=&ext_color=&stockno=&eyear=2007&syear=1930&eprice=&sprice=&keywords=&location=Reina%20International%20Auto&type=used&specials=&rtd=&mileage=&ob=&desc=&d_trim=&d_year=1959&d_make=Me

We've been discussing that travesty on Ozbenz: Link.

I'd let it return to its original raw mineral state rather than do something like that to it!

In about half an hour I'll be inspecting more closely for numbers (5 locations) and taking it to my shed.

[OzBenzHead]

Righto - some advances on numbers.

What I (mis)read as a "Z" in the engine number is not there on the engine-number plate: it was either a typo or a dirty mark on the very cracked 29-year-old rego sticker.

Here are the revised numbers - now including the frame number.

The Chassis number ID plate appears to have been removed; in its position is a faint label-shaped mark and two screw/rivet holes.

I cannot at all find the Finish (colour) info plate or any mark from its removal.

Engine: 180 921 650 2982 (on the engine plate);
Body: RA 180 010 650 0292 (on the passenger-side A-post)
Frame: 180 010 650 2958 (on the chassis rail beside the steering box - stamped into the rail as well as on an adjacent ID plate).

There are normal brake and clutch pedals, so no Hydrak (sigh of relief).

Although the tyres have been dead flat for years, we pumped them up yesterday to make relocation easier - and 24 hours later they still have air in them.  They are quite bald, with the canvas showing through in places!

And contrary to my first impressions, the interior - door cards, (some?) seats, pillar trims, etc. appear to be all present and accounted for (there was a crate of "extras" that I hadn't seen on first inspection).

It also has the brightwork on the flanks (front and rear guards) that I thought were only attached to the 220S and SE; according to the mbzponton site, the 220a didn't have those pieces.

It's going to take me quite a while to sort though and identify all the components - something for a rainy day, perhaps.

Don't expect early progress reports, as Rolf the Crayford and other projects take priority for now.

[CraigS]

The Chassis number ID plate appears to have been removed; in its position is a faint label-shaped mark and two screw/rivet holes.

I can help you with that one should you ever decide to retore it !

Frame: 108 010 650 2958 (on the chassis rail beside the steering box - stamped into the rail as well as on an adjacent ID plate).

Is that a typo - do you mean 180 ?

[OzBenzHead]

[...] Is that a typo - do you mean 180 ?

Yup - typo.  BAD fingers!