Pon'-ton-o-bil'-ia: n. 1. An object, most often a scaled representation of a Mercedes-Benz Ponton. Also includes any other Ponton minutia suitable for a collection.
DUX (Markes & Co.) / Ludenscheid, Germany
A rare 1:43 scale tinplate, wind-up model of the famous 1952 Mercedes-Benz Type W194 300SL pre-production prototype. The toy was produced in Germany by "DUX" (Auto-DUX series). The W194 300SL was the genesis of the "sport leicht" (SL / lightweight sports) automotive institution that continues to this day.
DUX was the toy label name for the German firm, Markes & Co. The company was founded in 1904 by Karl Markes in Lüdenscheid. From the 1930s, DUX production evolved into tin model car kits. Production changed over to plastic in the 1960s. Toy production ceased altogether in 1981. At the 1953 Nuremberg Toy Fair, Markes & Co. of Lüdenscheid introduced the first DUX 300SL miniature. It was made entirely of tin, and silver colored like the full scale car. With a length of 12 cm, it was not exactly enormous, but featured a number of smart details. The model was constructed so that the young owner could remove the body from the chassis by using the tools included (wrench and screwdriver). This was usually not possible with classic tin toys due to the typical slot and tab construction. In addition, it was possible to remove the series standard clockwork motor and exchange it for one (available as an accessory) with flywheel drive. So, not only a very attractive and thoughtfully designed model, but also one of high educational value. This DUX classic was in their program from 1953 until 1958.
A few historical details:
- Company: Markes & Co. KG, Lüdenscheid, Germany.
- Founded: 1904 by Karl (Carl) Markes.
- Trademark: DUX, introduced in 1932. The emblem featured a stylized swallow.
- Early products: Metalworking tools and components for the bicycle industry.
- Toy products: Metal construction sets, model automobiles, aircraft kits, and DUX toy film projectors.
- Auto-DUX series: Tinplate model car construction kits, including clockwork-powered vehicles with interchangeable components.
- Mercedes-Benz model: Type W194 300SL racing car, introduced in 1953, with removable bodywork and interchangeable drive mechanisms.
- Later history: Plastic became increasingly important in toy manufacturing during the 1950s and 1960s. Toy production ended around 1981–1982.
References
Mercedes Sportscar Scale Models / Matthias Braun / ISBN: 3-89365-703-7
This example shows minor paint loss but remains a visual treat. Note the white tires.
These models are becoming increasingly difficult to find, especially in above-average condition. Even examples with scratches or missing wheels generally command lower prices but can still be considered prized finds by collectors.
Doors of this type (shown on the DUX model) were used at the Le Mans race on June 14-15, 1952. Previously, (for the Mille Miglia race in May 1952) the doors only extended to the base of the windows. The driver's entry point was more like a "hatch" than a door. The organizers of Le Mans had more stringent regulations, which forced the designers to make the door openings descend lower into the body of the car. The grille shape was derived from the 1939 Grand Prix cars. The 1952 300SL (W194) would have used three downdraft Solex carburetors, while the production models, the 300SL coupé (W198 I) and later, the 300SL roadster (W198 II) both used Bosch mechanical fuel injection.
1952 Mercedes-Benz Type W194 300SL by DUX. Note the smooth undercarriage. On another example (see below) the name DUX is clearly visible.
Note the DUX name, and the altogether different baseplate configuration on this example. Finding both baseplate variations will keep the average collector out of trouble for a while.
For Reference: The full scale Type W194 300SL ("21") at Le Mans on June 14-15, 1952 (Sarthe, France). Only the top lines of the car were retained when the W194 SL was modified for production. This is clearly the car the DUX (Auto-DUX series) tinplate model represents, as verified by the number "21" on the hood and doors. Number 21 took first place in the race, and driving was shared between Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess. The 24 hour race of endurance was 2,320 miles (277 laps). Average speed 96.6 km/h (60 mph).
Type W194 300SL racers at the Nürburgring, competing in the Eifel race on August 2, 1952. The lightest possible autos were necessary, so the tops of the 300SLs were cut off. Note number 21 in the center.
Michael Seidel (MS) “Telematic 1906” (West Germany)
Michael Seidel (MS) “Telematic 1906”
Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL roadster, 26 cm (10.2 in)
A few historical details:
- Founded: 1881 by Michael Seidel in Nuremberg, Germany.
- Products: Tinplate cars, trucks, boats, mechanical toys, and later plastic models.
- Trademark: MS, often displayed as intertwined letters.
- Mercedes-Benz models: Produced 190SL and 300SL Roadster toys during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Telematic model: Mercedes-Benz 190SL, No. 1906, with cable-operated remote steering.
- Later history: The company was acquired by Martin Fuchs in 1982.
Photos of Michael Seidel “Telematic 1906” uploaded: November 13, 2026
Schuco (Germany)
This was a new model by Schuco for 2002. Corresponding to the former "Remote Control Car 2095" this popular car re-appeared in the Schuco range. Partly produced from original tools, the cabriolet features a strong spring drive, an automatic stop lever and a remote control device. This is a large (25 cm long) clockwork driven toy that runs only when the car is on the ground. It has a steering control cable, and the set comes with posts to maneuver the car around. Completely new toy in box with key. Comes in a nice lithograph presentation box.
Schuco "Remote Control Car 2095." Tinplate 1:18 scale replica of the Type 190SL roadster-cabriolet. Features a wind-up clockwork motor, and "remote control" steering (via cable). The kit also includes yellow and red pylons so navigational skills can be tested on the "KFG" (Kitchen Floor Gymkhana).
Schuco (West Germany)
Schuco № 5503 "Elektro-Phänomenal" remote control / tinplate Type 190SL roadster
The Schuco No. 5503 “Elektro-Phänomenal” Mercedes-Benz 190SL was one of Schuco's more sophisticated postwar tinplate automobiles. Introduced in 1955 and produced into the late 1960s, it combined battery-powered propulsion with mechanical steering and a functional gear selector. Unlike the clockwork-powered Schuco No. 2095 also pictured on this page, the No. 5503 used a rechargeable electrical system. A special charging station resembling a gasoline pump was available for recharging the toy's battery.
A few historical details:
- Manufacturer: Schuco, Nürnberg, West Germany.
- Model: Elektro-Phänomenal № 5503, Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL roadster.
- Introduced: 1955, with production continuing into the late 1960s.
- Construction: Painted tinplate body with chrome-plated trim, plastic windscreen, rubber tires, and detailed interior.
- Length: Approximately 22 cm (8.7 inches).
- Propulsion: Battery-powered electric motor with a rechargeable electrical system.
- Controls: Functional steering and a gear selector providing forward, neutral, and reverse positions.
- Remote control: Wired steering and operating controls, allowing the toy to be maneuvered from a distance.
- Accessories: A miniature charging station and driving-course accessories were available.
- Colors: Examples have been documented in green, red, and pale cream finishes.
- Collector interest: Original boxes, steering controls, charging equipment, and other accessories are desirable components of a complete example.
Schuco (Germany) № 5503 tinplate model of Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL roadster
This is a battery-powered tin toy from the Schuco factory in West Germany. The Schuco № 5503 model was produced between 1955 and 1969. The gearshift has a forward, neutral and a reverse position.
Type 190SL by DUX
The Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL was another model offered by DUX (Markes & Co.) in its Auto-DUX series of construction toys. Unlike the earlier tinplate W194 300SL racing car, later versions of the 190SL featured plastic bodywork, reflecting the company's transition to newer materials. The model was designed to be assembled and disassembled, continuing the DUX tradition of combining mechanical play with educational value. The example pictured has a red body, contrasting gray hardtop, and cream-colored wheels with black tires.
Schuco (Nürnberg, West Germany)
Schuco № 5509 / Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL Police Car. Radio squad car with electric motor and electric rotating flashing light. The electric rotating flashing light can be operated independently from the drive mode. When the light is switched on, the passenger lifts and lowers the microphone.
A few historical details:
- Company: Schuco (originally Schreyer & Co.), Nürnberg, West Germany.
- Founded: 1912 by Heinrich Müller and Heinrich Schreyer.
- Trademark: Schuco, derived from Schreyer & Co., adopted in 1921.
- Postwar production: Mechanical tinplate toys, clockwork automobiles, battery-powered vehicles, and remote-controlled models.
- Factory: A major new Nürnberg factory opened in 1952, employing approximately 800 workers.
- Mercedes-Benz model: Elektro-Razzia-Car № 5509, based on the Type 190SL roadster.
- Original production: 1958–1969, with police and fire-service variations.
- Construction: Painted tinplate body with battery-powered electric drive and emergency lighting.
- Early mechanism: A separate clockwork motor operated the rotating warning light and the passenger's moving radio handset.
- Later variation: Models produced from 1966 to 1969 omitted the clockwork-operated light and moving passenger's arm.
- Period significance: The № 5509 represents Schuco's postwar specialization in mechanically sophisticated toy automobiles, before plastic and die-cast models increasingly displaced traditional tinplate toys.
Schuco (Nürnberg, West Germany)
Schuco Motex № 1088 / Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL. Tinplate body. The model is activated by a frictional wheel which touches the ground. By pressing lightly on the car and pushing it forward hard, it will speed away immediately when released. The direction of travel can be set on the lever on the number plate. Production of the original version began in 1962.
Komoda Shoten (KKS) / Japan
KKS № 57724 – battery-powered tinplate Type 190SL (W121 II) coupé, or 300SL (W198 I) "Gullwing" coupé
A few historical details:
- Company: Komoda Shoten Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
- Trademark: KKS, displayed within a diamond-shaped emblem. This distinctive logo is an identifying feature of the manufacturer and appears on the original toy packaging.
- Products: Japanese tinplate toys, including model automobiles.
- Mercedes-Benz model: Remote-controlled Mercedes-Benz SL roadster with lights and horn.
- Construction: Painted tinplate body with a wired handheld controller.
- Country of manufacture: Japan.
- Period: Mid-20th century; exact manufacturing date not established.
KKS № 57724 (light blue variant)
Photos of KKS № 57724 (light blue variant) uploaded: November 13, 2026
Revell (USA)
1960 Type 190SL roadster, 1:25 scale, catalog № H-1239
A few historical details:
- Company: Revell, Inc., Venice, California, USA.
- Founder: Lewis H. Glaser, who developed the company into a major manufacturer of plastic model kits during the early 1950s.
- Early products: Plastic toys and automobile construction kits, including the successful Highway Pioneers series introduced in 1951.
- Products by 1960: Injection-molded plastic model kits of automobiles, aircraft, ships, military vehicles, and spacecraft.
- German subsidiary: Revell Plastics GmbH, established in 1956 in Bielefeld, West Germany, and relocated to Bünde in 1957.
- Mercedes-Benz model: Type 190SL roadster, 1:25 scale, catalog № H-1239.
- Original release: 1960, during the growing popularity of European sports cars among American model enthusiasts.
- Construction: Multi-piece, injection-molded plastic kit requiring assembly, with chrome-metalized components.
- Original packaging: Illustrated flat box featuring a red Mercedes-Benz 190SL with a hardtop in a golf-course setting.
- Later history: The 190SL kit was subsequently reissued, making the original 1960 packaging of particular interest to collectors.
Tootsietoy (Chicago, Illinois) Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL
Rough paintwork, but otherwise intact.
Maisto (China)
Maisto 1:18 scale 1955 190SL with a full-scale 1961 Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL in the background.
The Maisto model is die-cast metal with plastic trim elements. Very detailed and realistic as these photos illustrate.
Owner of both cars: Farouk El-Khalil / Beirut, Lebanon
Tipp & Co. (Nürnberg, Germany)
This is Tipp & Co. № TCO 956. Mercedes-Benz Type (W198 I) 300SL "Gullwing" coupé. Made in Germany by Tipp & Co (TCO) — one of the largest manufacturers of tin toys in Nürnberg, Germany after 1922.
A few historical details:
- Company: Tipp & Co. (Tippco), Nürnberg, Germany.
- Founded: 1912 by Victoria Tipp and Ernst Carstens.
- Trademark: TCO, commonly used on the company's tinplate toys.
- Early products: Tinplate automobiles, motorcycles, buses, trucks, racing cars, and mechanical toys.
- Ownership: Philipp Ullmann became sole proprietor in 1919 and developed the company into a major German tinplate-toy manufacturer.
- 1933: Ullmann fled Nazi persecution and established the Mettoy toy company in England, from which Corgi Toys later emerged.
- Postwar history: Ullmann regained control of Tipp & Co. in 1948 and resumed production with his son Henry.
- Mercedes-Benz model: Type 300SL (W198 I) "Gullwing" coupé, TCO № 956.
- Construction: Lithographed tinplate body and interior, with friction-powered examples documented.
- Model variations: Different body colors, grille treatments, and later Gullwing versions with roof luggage racks.
- Production period: Mid-1950s onward; the exact manufacturing dates of the TCO 956 have not been established.
- Company closure: 1971, following nearly six decades of tinplate-toy production.
Detail of the lithographed rear parcel shelf, showing luggage and personal effects.
Although showing its age, this example retains considerable charm. The detailed tinplate lithography includes personal effects on the rear parcel shelf, including a round hatbox—a once-familiar accessory that many younger readers may not recognize. Interestingly, the generous luggage space depicted in the Tipp & Co. model is not entirely fanciful. The actual Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (W198 I) featured a surprisingly spacious luggage platform behind the seats, designed to accommodate specially fitted suitcases secured by straps.
Missing the rear bumper, this would still be a nice addition to any vintage Mercedes-Benz tinplate model collection.
Undercarriage of the Tipp & Co. № TCO 956
Mercedes-Benz Type (W198 II) 300SL roadster. The full scale roadster was in production from 8/57 - 2/63. This is a tinplate, remote control, battery-operated model with original packaging.
The Nomura (also marked as Nomura / Showa Japan or TN Nomura) Mercedes-Benz 300SL is a sought-after mid-20th-century vintage Japanese tin toy car produced during the 1950s post-war toy boom. Measuring around 11 inches (28 cm) long, these larger versions featured battery-operated "mystery action," a lever-shifting unit, a detailed large dashboard, and colorful tin lithography. Price depends on condition and whether they include the original box.
Corgi (England) № 304 die-cast model (1:43 scale) of the Mercedes-Benz Type (W198 II) 300SL roadster
A few historical details:
- Company: Mettoy Company Ltd., manufacturer of Corgi Toys, Great Britain.
- Founders: Philipp Ullmann and Arthur Katz, who established Mettoy in Northampton, England, in 1933.
- German connection: Ullmann had previously owned Tipp & Co., a prominent Nürnberg tinplate-toy manufacturer. Katz had also worked for Tipp & Co. Both left Germany in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution and established a new toy-manufacturing business in England.
- Early products: Lithographed tinplate toys, including clockwork-powered automobiles and other mechanical toys.
- Postwar development: Mettoy expanded into die-cast model automobiles, with production centered in Swansea, Wales.
- Trademark: Corgi Toys, introduced in 1956 and named after the Welsh Corgi dog breed.
- Distinctive feature: Early Corgi automobiles featured transparent plastic windows, distinguishing them from many competing die-cast models of the period.
- Mercedes-Benz model: Type 300SL (W198 II) roadster with hardtop, catalog № 304.
- Original production: 1959–1961, with a yellow body and either a red or yellow hardtop.
- Construction: Die-cast metal body with plastic windows, a separate hardtop, and fixed wheels without suspension.
- Later variation: The № 304S, introduced in 1961, incorporated suspension and was offered in additional finishes.
JNF (Josef Neuhierl / Fürth, West Germany)
This large tinplate toy is loosely based on the mid-1950s open-wheel Mercedes-Benz W196 Grand Prix car—the same model Stirling Moss drove to victory ahead of teammate Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1955 Aintree race—the 1955 British Grand Prix, held on July 16, 1955, at the Aintree Motor Racing Circuit near Liverpool, England.
This model was manufactured in West Germany by JNF (Johann Neuhierl of Fürth). Most examples of this toy are powered by a wind-up clockwork motor, making this battery-operated version much scarcer. A gear lever inside the cockpit selects neutral, reverse, or two forward speeds, while the steering wheel operates the front wheels. Inside, the detailed dashboard is paired with lithographed tartan seat trim matching the original W196 racers. Note: The driver figure is a replacement.
Dimensions: 320 mm (approx. 12.6 in.) in length, Color: Silver body and base.
The car's distinctive design—specifically the 320 mm (approx. 13-inch) length, the cockpit gear lever for forward/reverse/neutral speeds, the tartan seat lithography, and the #3 hood roundel identifies it as the JNF Mercedes W196 "Solo" Electromatic (a battery-powered variant of their popular friction and clockwork monoposto [single seat] racers).
A few historical details:
- Company: JNF (Josef Neuhierl, Fürth), West Germany.
- Founded: 1920 by Josef Neuhierl in Nürnberg, Germany.
- Trademark: JNF, representing Josef Neuhierl, Fürth.
- Early products: Mechanical tinplate toys, including automobiles, racing cars, trucks, and aircraft.
- Factory: The company relocated from Nürnberg to nearby Fürth during the 1930s, where it developed a reputation for mechanically sophisticated toy vehicles.
- Postwar production: Tinplate automobiles featuring lithographed interiors, steerable front wheels, and clockwork, friction, or battery-powered mechanisms.
- Mercedes-Benz models: Type 300 "Adenauer" limousine and W196 Grand Prix racing cars.
- W196 racing model: Large tinplate single-seat racer, offered with different drive mechanisms, including the battery-powered "Solo" Electromatic version.
- Construction: Painted metal body, detailed cockpit lithography, rubber tires, and mechanical steering.
- Later history: Following Josef Neuhierl's death in 1957, his widow Frieda and son Hermann continued the business.
- Subsequent development: The company introduced Carrera electric slot-car racing sets in 1963, eventually becoming widely known for the Carrera brand.
Dinky Toys (England)
Dinky Toys № 237 Mercedes-Benz Type W196S (streamliner) with original box.
Note the decal ("36") on the side. The box shows number "30."
A few historical details:
- Company: Meccano Ltd., Binns Road, Liverpool, England.
- Trademark: Dinky Toys, introduced in the 1930s.
- Products: Die-cast miniature automobiles, racing cars, commercial vehicles, aircraft, and military models.
- Postwar production: Dinky Toys became a prominent British manufacturer of miniature vehicles, including contemporary European Grand Prix racing cars.
- Mercedes-Benz model: Type W196 streamliner Formula One racing car, catalog № 237.
- Original introduction: 1957, with production continuing until approximately 1964.
- Construction: Die-cast metal body, separate driver figure, rolling wheels with rubber tires, and a metal baseplate.
- Dimensions: Approximately 98 mm (3.9 inches) long.
- Finishes: White, off-white, and cream-colored variations, with red interior detailing.
- Wheel variations: Red-painted metal hubs, spun-metal hubs, and later red plastic hubs.
- Racing numbers: Early examples generally carried № 30, while some later examples featured № 36.
- Original packaging: Illustrated yellow cardboard box bearing the Dinky Toys trademark and catalog number 237.
This example has "30" on the sides and the engine hood.
Variations of this British-made
toy include red or chrome wheels, and either white or off-white paint.
Budgie (England)
Budgie (UK) № 7 – Type W196S streamliner. Die-cast, approximately 1:65 scale. In the full-scale world, the streamliner W196S Mercedes-Benz made its debut at Rheims in the July 4, 1954 French Grand Prix. The race was won by Juan Manuel Fangio in the number 18 streamline-bodied W196S.
A few historical details:
- Company: Morris & Stone (London) Ltd., England.
- Founder: Sam Morris, who established a toy distribution business in London in 1946.
- Early trademark: Morestone, a name derived from Morris & Stone.
- Products: Small die-cast automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other miniature vehicles.
- Esso series: Miniature vehicles marketed through Esso petrol stations, often supplied in distinctive promotional boxes.
- Budgie trademark: Introduced in 1959, with a budgerigar bird as its emblem.
- Mercedes-Benz model: W196 Streamliner Grand Prix racing car, catalog № 7.
- Original introduction: 1956, as Morestone Esso Petrol Pump Series № 7.
- Budgie production: Approximately 1960–1965, retaining the original model number.
- Construction: Die-cast metal body with metallic silver paint, red driver and base, and freely rotating wheels.
- Dimensions: Approximately 60 mm (2.4 inches) long.
- Variations: Earlier examples had unpainted metal wheels; later versions introduced black plastic wheels around 1964.
- Later company history: S. Guiterman & Co. acquired the business in 1961, and the Budgie Models name became increasingly prominent.
Budgie № 7 in the miniature die-cast series with original box.
JNF (Josef Neuhierl / Fürth, West Germany)
JNF № 77F – Mercedes-Benz W196 streamliner
This Mercedes-Benz W196 streamliner ("Silberpfeil" / Silver Arrow) is identified in specialist toy catalogs as JNF № 77F. Introduced during the mid-1950s, the model measures approximately 27 cm (10.6 inches) long and features a painted tinplate body, rubber tires, friction-powered rear wheels, and steering operated by the miniature steering wheel. The original toy included a small windscreen fitted ahead of the driver. Examples have been documented in several finishes, including silver-gray, pale blue, and beige. The model reflects JNF's reputation for producing mechanically interesting and relatively realistic toy automobiles during the postwar years.
Originally, it had a small plastic windscreen, which fitted into the slots on the dash cowl.
Photos courtesy: Paul McLeod / Australia / November 21, 2008
Mercury (Italy)
Mercedes-Benz Type W196S 1:60 scale die-cast streamliner
Made by Mercury (Italy) in 1958. Art.56 (Article 56) / Mercedes Formula 1 Carenata
Mercury was one of Italy's pioneering manufacturers of die-cast model automobiles. When its Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner, Art. 56, appeared in 1958, the Turin company was already well established in the Italian miniature-car market. Unlike Dinky Toys in England, Mercury had begun as a manufacturer of metal components for the automotive industry. That background in precision die-casting helped the company develop its own range of miniature automobiles after World War II.
A few historical details:
- Company: Mercury, Turin (Torino), Italy.
- Founded: 1932 by Attilio Clemente and Antonio Cravero.
- Early business: Precision die-casting of metal components for the Italian automobile industry, including parts supplied to Fiat and Lancia.
- Trademark: Mercury, commonly displayed within a rectangular emblem superimposed on a toothed gear.
- First model automobiles: Introduced shortly after World War II, beginning around 1945.
- Products during the 1950s: Die-cast miniature passenger cars, sports cars, Grand Prix racers, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles.
- Production scales: Early models varied in scale, with a successful 1:48 series introduced during the 1950s. The company subsequently adopted 1:43 as a principal scale during the early 1960s.
- Mercedes-Benz model: W196 Streamliner Formula One racing car, Art. 56, marketed as "Mercedes Formula 1 Carenata."
- Model introduction: 1958, approximately 1:60 scale.
- Construction: Die-cast metal body with silver finish, separate driver figure, and rolling wheels.
- Original packaging: Illustrated blue-and-red cardboard box identifying the model as "Mercedes Formula 1 Carenata."
- Later history: Mercury expanded its model range during the 1960s but encountered increasing competition during the 1970s, ultimately ceasing operations around 1978–1980.
Carenata means "bodied with wheels covered" (i.e. streamlined) as opposed to the open wheeled Grand Prix style bodies.
The box shows number 92 on the body but the model itself is identified as "48."
This is the Type W196S driven by Juan Manuel Fangio at the French Grand Prix in Reims, July 4, 1954. Fangio won the race, and second place was also a W196S driven by Karl Kling (number 20). Hans Herrmann started in number 22.
Tinplate model of the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR (W196S) "streamliner" racer. Jaunty lithography includes a driver with a separate, swiveling head. Rubber tires. Length: 150 mm (6"). Length of the full scale 300SLR is 4300 mm, so the scale of this example was calculated to be ~1/28.
Photo: Jeff Miller / February 11, 2012
Graham van Heerden (Cape Town, South Africa) displays a 1:18-scale CMC № M-036 Mercedes-Benz Race Transporter carrying a 300SLR (№ 104 / Targa Florio).
In 2002, CMC introduced this highly detailed, 1:18-scale die-cast replica of the 1954 Mercedes-Benz Type W21 "Silver Arrow" Renntransporter (race transporter). The CMC catalog number was M-036. "Silver Arrows" (German: "Silberpfeile") was the nickname given by the press to Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix racing cars of 1934–1939, and later to Mercedes-Benz Formula One and sports cars in 1954–1955.
The full scale Renntransporter included certain Ponton parts such as the cabin of a Type 180 sedan (modified to be a bit wider), headlights, doors, turn signals and more. The chassis of the original was from a Type W188 300S.
CMC sold the 1:18-scale Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter and W196 "Silver Arrow" racing car separately. Both models are highly detailed replicas. The transporter features "Mercedes-Benz Rennabteilung" (racing department) lettering on its doors, "Max. Speed 105 m.p.h." on its rear fenders, and registration number "W21-6568." The original transporter, nicknamed the "Blue Wonder," was built on a modified Mercedes-Benz 300 S (W188) chassis with a 300 SL-derived six-cylinder engine and components from the 180 Ponton. Its top speed was approximately 170 km/h (105 mph).
Surprisingly, the original Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter (shown here) was dismantled and scrapped by Daimler-Benz in 1967.
Technical Data of the Original Race Transporter
• In-line 6-cylinder engine (from 300SL) • Mechanical fuel injection • Maximum output: 192 hp at 5,500 rpm • Displacement: 2,996 cc • Top speed: 170 km/h (105 mph) • Wheel Base: 3,050 mm • Length: 6,750 mm • Width: 2,000 mm • Total weight: 2,100 kg (4,629 lbs)
The original Renntransporter (date unknown) with Mercedes-Benz works driver Karl Kling (right) and a W196R Formula One racing car on the bed. Note Kling's signature near his feet. Kling (1910-2003) was instrumental in developing the return of Mercedes-Benz to international competition in the early 1950s. His win in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana road race, driving the experimental Mercedes-Benz 300SL (W194) was a defining point in assuring the Daimler-Benz management that motorsport had a place in their future.
The original Renntransporter (date unknown) with a W196R Formula One race car. Photo: DBAG
In the late 1990s, DaimlerChrysler decided to build a new full scale transporter. They had to use archive photographs of the original because all of the blueprints and drawings were unavailable. The original used a de-tuned (198 bhp) three liter in-line six-cylinder engine from the Type 300SL "Gullwing" coupé, which was able to propel the transporter to 170 km/h (105 mph). The photo above shows the full scale reproduction Type W21 transporter as it appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK) on July 8, 2001. It includes the Type 300SLR "Uhlenhaut" coupé.
Detail of the full-scale reproduction Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK) / 2013
Premium ClassiXX made this 1:43 scale
Mercedes-Benz race transporter.
The W128 220SE Ponton cabriolet is by IXO
(China) – also 1:43 scale.
1954 Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter by CMC GmbH. Die-cast, 1:18 scale, Item № M-036,
serial № 16399.
This example was a gift to the editor from
Larry Hansen (d.).
Notice how far the cab projects forward of the front wheels.
Interior of the 1:18 scale 1954 Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter.
Bird's eye view of the 1:18 scale CMC race transporter.
Photo of Larry Hansen's collection: Jeff Miller / Nikon Coolpix 990 / July 2, 2005
Another arrangement of Larry Hansen's impressive model collection. Even though the 300SLR (№ 722 / tag: W21-6170) is the only exact replica from the 1955 Mille Miglia (1,000 mile open-road race), all three of these Mercedes-Benz vehicles were champions in their respective classes in the race. Foreground: 1:18 scale version of the W196S 300SLR Streamliner (Racing Sports Car Class), overall winner of the race. The driver was Stirling Moss and his navigator was Denis Jenkinson. The pair won the race in 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds, at an average speed of 97.96 mph, a record which was never broken. Incidentally, Stirling Moss practiced the race course in a Type W180 220a Ponton sedan before he was allowed to drive the 300SLR on the Italian roads. After the initial familiarization and testing period, when he took the 300SLR on the roads, Mercedes-Benz racing manager Alfred Neubauer said the speed was to be kept under 170 miles per hour and night driving was forbidden!
In the background, we see the Revell 1:18 scale Type 180 Ponton sedan, and a 1:18 scale 300SL Gullwing coupé. A black 300SL Gullwing (number "417", departed the Mille Miglia start line at 04:17) driven by American John Fitch with German journalist-cum-navigator Kurt Gesell won the Gran Turismo class.
Photo of Larry Hansen's collection: Jeff Miller / Nikon Coolpix 990 / July 2, 2005
Number 722 signifies the time of the morning on May 1, 1955 that Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson started the race.
Photo of Larry Hansen's collection: Jeff Miller / Nikon Coolpix 990 / July 2, 2005
Revell 1:18 scale Type 180 Ponton sedan, and a 1:18 scale 300SL Gullwing coupé
Mercedes-Benz Type 300SL Gullwing coupé alongside the Revell 1:18 scale Type 180 Ponton sedan. Two opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of models offered by Daimler-Benz in 1954. If your budget prevented you from owning the 300SL dream car, the Type 180 was a more affordable entry point into the family of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles. Photo of Larry Hansen's collection courtesy: Jeff Miller / Nikon Coolpix 990 / July 2, 2005
Two photos of the "04" W120 180D Ponton in the 1955 Mille Miglia
Finally, the Type 180D Ponton sedan (40 bhp), driven by Helmut Retter and navigated by Wolfgang Larcher, won the Diesel Class of the historic 1,000 mile Italian race (coming in 201st overall) at an average speed of 58.81 mph. The diesel sedan left the start point (Brescia) at 00:04 a.m., and thus had the number "04" on the doors. The light colored car (a dullish gray*) had round fog lights, no hubcaps, and louvered blinds in the rear window. Photos of the 180D Mille Miglia Ponton courtesy: Larry Hansen / July 15, 2005
*A reader of this page contacted the editor on March 29, 2008, and reported that the color of the "04" 180D is "dullish gray", and is still the same color after all these years, and has not been resprayed. In 2008, it was in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
Gathering of 1:18 scale Mercedes-Benz racers with the lighthouse at Sandy Hook, New Jersey in the background.
Commemorating two famous Mercedes-Benz racing victories in 1955:
April 30–May 1, 1955: Mille Miglia, Italy
May 29, 1955: ADAC Eifelrennen, Nürburgring, Germany
These posters feature the victorious 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR (W196S) racing cars produced in the famous streamlined "Streamliner" configuration. The original posters measured approximately 23 × 25 cm (9 × 10 inches). The examples pictured here were enlarged to 43 × 61 cm (17 × 24 inches), excluding the frames.
Historical Inaccuracies in the Mille Miglia Poster
The Mille Miglia poster contains several historical inaccuracies:
- It depicts only one driver, although Stirling Moss won the race with navigator Denis Jenkinson.
- The victorious number 722 race car did not have a white field (circle) behind the number.
- The poster depicts Juan Manuel Fangio rather than Stirling Moss, presumably because the organizers anticipated a Fangio victory and prepared the artwork in advance.
Original Video Still of the Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter
24 Hours of Le Mans / June 11, 1955
Image Enhanced by Arthur Fitchel Intel., GmbH
November 12, 2026
Infamous 1955 Le Mans Disaster
The tragic events of the 1955 24 hour Le Mans race caused Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from racing for over 30 years. Mike Hawthorn (British, aged 26, driving a D-Type Jaguar) had just passed (lapped) Lance Macklin (British, aged 35, driving an Austin-Healey 100S). As soon as Hawthorn got directly in front of Macklin, he began slowing to make a pit stop. Macklin was forced to brake hard to avoid rear-ending Hawthorn, causing him to swerve (momentarily losing control) and ultimately cross beyond the center lane – into the left lane and the oncoming path of Pierre Levegh's Mercedes 300SLR, which was just ahead of the team's number one Mercedes – driven by Juan Manuel Fangio. Levegh had no time to react. There were 83 people killed and hundreds injured when Levegh's car (number 20) hit the left rear corner of Macklin's Healey while going 150 m.p.h. In an instant, the impact caused the ill-fated Mercedes to launch off the track and land on a five-foot-high earthen barrier, where it flipped end-over-end, and burst into flames as the engine, front suspension, and other debris cut a devastating path through the packed grand stands. Mercedes-Benz driver Pierre Levegh (French / aged 49) was thrown from the car (seat belts were not used) and killed instantly. The race continued another eight hours before Mercedes, wishing to avoid a public relations fiasco, withdrew from the race. Jaguar was invited to do the same, but declined. Lance Macklin was uninjured, but his car was totaled, and Mike Hawthorn went on to win the race.
Despite the tragedy at Le Mans, Mercedes-Benz completed the 1955 racing season in triumphant fashion, winning both the British RAC Tourist Trophy (September 17) and the Italian Targa Florio (October 16) to secure the World Sportscar Championship. Then, at the height of its racing dominance, Mercedes-Benz made a momentous decision: it withdrew from factory-backed motor racing and would not return to top-level international competition for more than three decades.
Epilogue
Mike Hawthorn died in 1959 at age 29 in a car accident on the notoriously dangerous A3 Guildford bypass while driving his modified 1958 Jaguar 3.4 Mk 1 saloon over 80 m.p.h – just after overtaking a new Mercedes-Benz 300SL convertible driven by motor racing team manager acquaintance Rob Walker. He clipped a "Keep Left" bollard causing him to lose control. He then glanced the rear fender of an oncoming Bedford lorry, and finally careened sideways across the eastbound carriageway and uprooted a 22 cm (9") diameter, roadside tree. Lance Macklin died in 2002 at the age of 83.
Sources
- Kahn, Mark. Death Race Le Mans 1955. London: Barrie & Jenkins Limited, 1976. Print.
- BBC. Deadliest Crash the 1955 Le Mans Disaster. Bigger Picture Films. Catalogue № BIGPDVD7. Release Date: December 14, 2009. DVD video.
Taking a break during the pre-Targa Florio trials were from left, John Fitch (August 4, 1917 – October 31, 2012), who had driven for the German team in 1952, Stirling Moss (September 17, 1929 – April 12, 2020), Hans Herrmann (February 23, 1928 – January 9, 2026), and Peter Collins (November 6, 1931 – August 3, 1958).
Photo uploaded October 2, 2015 / Road & Track / December 2012
American race car driver John Fitch at the wheel of the four cylinder Ponton sedan
and (presumably) Juan Manuel Fangio in the 300SLR (tag: AW 84 7984).The role of AW 84 7984: This specific car (chassis 0002/55) was built with Spider bodywork and served exclusively as Mercedes-Benz's development and testing mule rather than a race entry. This photograph was taken in preparation for the 1955 Targa Florio in Sicily. While chassis 0002/55 (AW 84 7984) never actually competed in the race, Mercedes-Benz brought it to Italy as a road-registered test and reconnaissance vehicle ahead of the October 16, 1955 event.
Alfred Neubauer in 1:18 scale by Le Mans Miniatures (France)
Alfred Neubauer (March 29, 1891 – August 22, 1980) was an Austrian motor racing pioneer and the legendary racing team manager (Rennleiter) of the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix team from 1926 to 1955.
