History of Mercedes Benz: The 190 Fintail..!
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History of Mercedes Benz: The 190 Fintail..!
The Mercedes Benz 190c/200 fintail (1961 - 1968)
When the first fintail four-cylinder model in the history of Mercedes Benz was launched in 1961, it was the logical continuation of a new concept introduced already two years earlier with the six-cylinder Mercedes Benz 220b series. A whole new line of vehicles was to be built on the same platform and with a body that was identical on all cars from the A-pillar backwards. That not all customers were willing to follow that idea was initially not really anticipated.
Internally the new 190c and 190Dc Benz were called W110 and compared with their ponton predecessors they were now fairly big cars. The bodies of the four- and six-cylinders differed only in the length of the front, which was shorter on the smaller vehicles, as their engines needed less space.
It was the first time in the past of Mercedes Benz that owners had complained that the four-cylinder versions looked too close to their own more expensive six-cylinder models. This had happened with Mercedes Benz ponton owners. In order to avoid similar complaints with the new fintail and its uni-body style, Daimler-Benz made the front look different by installing instead of the signature vertical headlights single round ones. Designers also used the four-cylinder ponton's indicators on top of the fenders. And the bumpers looked now different, as they did not have the over-riders of the six-cylinder Benz.
Design considerations aside the public loved the new Mercedes Benz vehicles for their space, comfort and superior road holding capabilities This was naturally no surprise as the chassis was shared with the larger 220b series. All the latest safety features, a hallmark of the six-cylinder Benz, were of course also incorporated into the design of the 190 series. The closeness of the different line of cars caused a bit of unwanted internal competition, as the 190c was almost as fast yet much cheaper than the entry-level six-cylinder 220b. Except for the front both cars were otherwise absolutely identical.
REPLY MUST ..........
When the first fintail four-cylinder model in the history of Mercedes Benz was launched in 1961, it was the logical continuation of a new concept introduced already two years earlier with the six-cylinder Mercedes Benz 220b series. A whole new line of vehicles was to be built on the same platform and with a body that was identical on all cars from the A-pillar backwards. That not all customers were willing to follow that idea was initially not really anticipated.
Internally the new 190c and 190Dc Benz were called W110 and compared with their ponton predecessors they were now fairly big cars. The bodies of the four- and six-cylinders differed only in the length of the front, which was shorter on the smaller vehicles, as their engines needed less space.
It was the first time in the past of Mercedes Benz that owners had complained that the four-cylinder versions looked too close to their own more expensive six-cylinder models. This had happened with Mercedes Benz ponton owners. In order to avoid similar complaints with the new fintail and its uni-body style, Daimler-Benz made the front look different by installing instead of the signature vertical headlights single round ones. Designers also used the four-cylinder ponton's indicators on top of the fenders. And the bumpers looked now different, as they did not have the over-riders of the six-cylinder Benz.
Design considerations aside the public loved the new Mercedes Benz vehicles for their space, comfort and superior road holding capabilities This was naturally no surprise as the chassis was shared with the larger 220b series. All the latest safety features, a hallmark of the six-cylinder Benz, were of course also incorporated into the design of the 190 series. The closeness of the different line of cars caused a bit of unwanted internal competition, as the 190c was almost as fast yet much cheaper than the entry-level six-cylinder 220b. Except for the front both cars were otherwise absolutely identical.
REPLY MUST ..........
