The Fintail Mercedes

Two new four-cylinder models were presented in August 1961. The 190 c and 190 Dc models, which were part of the 110 model series, replaced the 190 b and 190 Db "Ponton" models and now had a Fintail body like the six-cylinder models.

Facts

Model series

W 110

Production period

1961-1968

Vehicle bodies

Saloon (4 doors)
“Universal” model
Saloon with extended wheelbase

Quantity

622,453 saloons and 5859 rolling chassis with partial body

Technical development


The pinnacle of the modular principle

Technical development


The pinnacle of the modular principle

The modular principle practised consistently since the start of the post-war production reached its pinnacle with the launch of the new four-cylinder models. For the first time, the mid-size series and the luxury series not only used the same engines and components, they also had a largely identical body.

Side view of a Fintail Mercedes.

"Fintail Mercedes" of the W 110 series from the year 1961 (rear-view mirror on the front wing).

Side view of a 220 SEb model.

The six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb of the W 111 series, 1959-1965

The primary advantage of the universal body was its economic potential: significantly reduced costs for development, production and spare parts inventory.

In addition, drivers of a mid-size model were now also able to enjoy the generous interior and the spacious boot.

However, this aspect also represented two considerable drawbacks of the concept: the overall length of the four-cylinder models had increased by 230 mm - an issue that was slowly gaining in importance due to the increasingly sparse parking space.

On the other hand, many luxury class customers surely would have wished for more distance from the models of the smaller model series.

Despite the universal body, the new four-cylinder models were easy to tell apart from their six-cylinder sister models at first glance.

Side view of a 190 model.

Notable identifying features of the 190 models were the round headlamps, the significantly shorter front-end assembly as well as the indicators adopted from the "Ponton" models

Updates


New diesel engine and an automatic transmission

Updates


New diesel engine and an automatic transmission

The 2.0 l diesel engine of the 190 Dc represented a true innovation. It had been developed from the 1.9 l engine of the predecessor model and actually should have been called 200 D. The sum of these measures resulted in an increase in output by 5 hp to 55 hp.

Starting in August 1962, the 190 c was optionally available with a 4-speed automatic transmission, which from July 1963 could also be ordered for the diesel variant. In both cases, the price premium was DM 1400, the same as it was in conjunction with the six-cylinder models.

Advancement


Advancement from 1965

Advancement


Advancement from 1965

The new S-Class models of the 108 series that ended the era of the universal body were presented in August 1965.

The four-cylinder models had been improved and given new model names: the 200 and 200 D models replaced the 190, which had been in production for four years.

Front view of a 200 D taxi.

Mercedes-Benz 200 D taxi from the year 1965 at Stuttgart Central Station

Vehicle bodies


Exterior

Vehicle bodies


Exterior

As was a customary tradition for the four-cylinder models, the models of the 110 series were available as a rolling chassis with partial body, which body manufacturers in Germany and abroad fitted out as ambulances, estate cars or other special-purpose versions.

An estate car variant produced by IMA Company in Malines, Belgium, based on the rolling chassis of the 190 D model and presented at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1965 as the 190 D Universal model, took on a special significance.

In addition to the standard rolling chassis with partial body, the revised 200 D - 230 models were also available in a stretched variant with a wheelbase of 3100 mm, which was the preferred choice for building ambulances or hearses.

Starting in April 1967, as the Fintail era was slowly coming to an end, the 200 D model was also available as a 7-8-seat saloon with a wheelbase of 3350 mm.

Side view of a saloon of the W 110 series.

Mercedes-Benz Saloon of the W 110 series, from the years 1961-1965

Side view of the Fintail Mercedes.

"Fintail Mercedes" of the W 110 series

Side view of a special-purpose body of the W 110 series.

Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder models of the W 110 series. Rolling chassis for Karosseriewerk Rappold special-purpose bodies, 1965

Side view of a 190 D Universal model.

Mercedes-Benz 190 D Universal model, IMA body, 1964-1965

Side view of a 200 D model with extended wheelbase.

Mercedes-Benz 200 D model, rolling chassis with extended wheelbase, 1967

All the details of the Fintail Mercedes

Classic-M@RS (Multimedia Archive and Research System)

Exterior view of a Fintail Mercedes.

All the details of the Fintail Mercedes

Classic-M@RS (Multimedia Archive and Research System)

The archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic hold a unique treasure trove from nearly 130 years of automotive history.

The archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic hold a unique treasure trove from nearly 130 years of automotive history.

Development phases


Development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Development phases


Development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

That is what came next

The "Stroke Eight" saloons

Exterior view of a Stroke Eight Saloon.

That is what came next

The "Stroke Eight" saloons

A new mid-size generation

A new mid-size generation

Overview: history of the E-Class

Collage of the development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Overview: history of the E-Class

New dossiers of historical models at regular intervals: from 1931 to 2018