Thanks to its innovative concept of unibody, it was soon nicknamed the “Ponton” because of its rounded lines- a striking novelty in car design at the time. The model remained in production until 1962 and underwent numerous evolutions in terms of engine and finish. Available with petrol or diesel engines, it was especially popular among transport professionals — with the diesel engine becoming the preferred choice for taxi fleets around the world, thanks to its reliability and economy.
The example presented here has a unique history: it was imported by the official Mercedes-Benz dealer in the region and ordered by the Diocese of Funchal in 1958. Originally black, with a Webasto sunroof and petrol engine, it served as the official vehicle of Bishop D. Frei David de Sousa until the late 1960s.
Later, the car was purchased by a taxi professional and remained in use until the early 1980s. In 1986, it was purchased by a specialist in car repair and restoration, who began the recovery process, resulting in the configuration preserved to this day.
In 1998, the vehicle was acquired by its current owner. Since then, it has been carefully preserved and presented at exhibitions and classic car events, celebrating its unique history and the legacy of Mercedes-Benz engineering.
Datasheet Year: 1958 Brand: Mercedes-Benz Model: 180a Ponton Country: Germany Number plate: MD-33-51 Engine: 1800 cc Gearbox: - Owner: Miguel Nunes