Highlights

Enthusiast-owned car in attractive middle blue with grey leather
Detailed history including traced ownership from new
Restored in 1990s at equivalent cost of over £20,000
Rare UK-delivered right-hand drive example
Recent £4,400 engine work by Edward Hall Classic Mercedes
New stainless steel bumpers, classic seat belts and recent tyres
A regular at Mercedes-Benz Club meetings for over 25 years
Fuel system upgraded to 220S spec and fitted with electronic ignition

The Appeal

The Ponton may look like the definitive post-war saloon, but it shocked Mercedes traditionalists when new. The firm’s first ‘full-width’ car, it set the template for the firm’s handsome, understated and exquisitely engineered future.

This RHD 1956 220A was the range's six-cylinder flagship and was extremely expensive when new. It was delivered new to Manchester on 31 December 1955 and has remained in the UK throughout its life. Its ownership history is documented from new, passing through just five former registered keepers before the current custodian acquired it in 2022. A comprehensive restoration was undertaken in the 1990s, including a full repaint in the original middle blue, rechroming of the brightwork, and an engine rebuild, costing over £8,500 at the time (over £21,000 now). Since then, the car has been a familiar presence at Mercedes-Benz Club events.

Mechanically, the engine has been upgraded to 220S specification and fitted with 123 electronic ignition. In late 2025, it was entrusted to Edward Hall Classic Mercedes for over £4,000 of engine work, including timing chains. Other work has included new stainless steel bumpers, correct wing mirrors and period-style seatbelts.

The current owner reports that it starts easily, runs smoothly, and keeps pace comfortably with modern traffic. Presenting well for its seven decades, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a right-hand drive Ponton with a known history and an active club pedigree.

The vendor says:

“No power steering means that the car is heavy on the wheel when manoeuvring but once on the move is light and precise. The engine is in fine order and very willing, accelerating rapidly and smoothly through the gears, with no issues in keeping up with modern traffic. In the 220a specification, the factory data stated a top speed of 93 mph; in the 220S specification 100mph is possible. The engine is surprisingly flexible, pulling easily from 20 mph in fourth gear. The overall condition belies its 70 + years. The car has been a regular at Mercedes-Benz Club meetings over the past 25 years and is much admired.”

Key Information

Mileage: 62,900 miles indicated (stated as correct by the vendor)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT exempt
Technical specs: 2,195cc inline-six petrol, four-speed column-shift manual
Paperwork: Documented ownership history from new, buff log book, V5C, invoices, handbooks

The vendor says:

“UK-delivered right-hand-drive car delivered to Mr Fred Nield in Manchester on 31 December 1955 and registered SNE1 on 1 January 1956. Second owner from 26 June 1956 was Mr Fred Forster of Preston, who moved to Garstang on 28 January 1959. Mr Forster kept the car until 12 June 1974, when he sold it to Mr Graham Hurst of Forton, keeping the original registration. Mr Hurst added the registration BTB 1 and kept the car until 1 February 1983.

“By 1992 ownership had passed to Mr Russell Williams of Harrogate, who set about a lengthy restoration in preparation for his daughter's wedding. Overall, he spent in excess of £8500 in 1995 money. By this time, the car carried its present (non-transferable) registration NSL626. On 7 June 2001, the car is noted as having covered 53578 miles, and in 2002 ownership was transferred to Mr Michael Lovegrove in Newmarket, from whom the current owner purchased it on 15 July 2022, at which time the mileage had crept up to 60,000.”

The Detail

Full repaint in original middle blue carried out in 1999 and remains in very good order
Brightwork rechromed during the restoration and reported still in good order
Vendor notes some age to top of radiator cowl and quarterlight window frames
New stainless steel bumpers fitted recently
Colour-coded wheel trims on 14" wheels
White wall radial tyres that have covered fewer than 500 miles
Correct wing mirrors recently fitted in the factory alternative wing-mounted position
The vendor reports the underside is solid and clean with no discernible rust
Grey leather interior with rare individual front reclining seats
The vendor states the seats and door cards are in very good condition
Original rubber floor covering reported in good condition
Headlining replaced during the restoration and in good order
Some adhesive stains are noted around the edges of the headlining
Aircraft-style seatbelts recently fitted with Mercedes-Benz engraved buckles
Inertia reel in front, two inertia reel and one lap belt in the rear
All interior lighting and instruments reported working correctly except clock
Correct Blaupunkt three-wave band valve radio fitted with a correct red-top aerial
220S specification fuel system with twin rebuilt Solex twin-choke carburettors
Bespoke stainless steel exhaust system fitted
Ignition upgraded to a 123 electronic distributor
Original dynamo replaced with a modern alternator
New thermostat fitted
Vendor reports the temperature remains steady even in congested traffic
Annual oil and filter changes carried out by the current owner
The vendor reports oil pressure is very good
Slightly noisy clutch thrust washer noted

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