1958 Mercedes-Benz Ponton
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Year of manufacture1958
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Chassis number180010Z8502794
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Lot number380
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DriveLHD
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ConditionUsed
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Number of seats2
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Location
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Exterior colourOther
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Drivetrain2wd
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Fuel typePetrol
Description
1958 Mercedes-Benz 220SE 'Ponton' Competition Saloon
Registration no. RSG 395
Chassis no. 180010Z8502794
This Mercedes-Benz 220S enjoys the distinction - together with the Mercedes-Benz 300SE 'Fintail' saloon in this sale (Lot 362) - of having attended all Goodwood Revival meetings since its construction in 2008. Like the 300SE, this rare right-hand drive 'Ponton' was race-prepared for the same owner - a prominent Mercedes-Benz collector and marque expert - by motor engineer Richard Miles of Tipton Garage, a former Brabham Formula 1 mechanic and Daniel Richmond's right-hand man at legendary tuners, Downton Engineering. Richard's brief was to build the 'Ponton' for use at the Goodwood Revival and HRDC 'Touring Greats' series, which share regulations, while taking advantage of all permitted modifications. The latter include an increase in engine capacity of up to 25%, and so a 2.8-litre engine was installed, which drives via a four-speed manual gearbox from the same period. Both engine and transmission, the latter upgraded with a limited-slip differential, were painstakingly rebuilt at Tipton Garage by Richard's son, Stephen Miles, a former development engineer at Janspeed Engineering where he was a key member of the team responsible for running Nissan's works effort in the British Touring Car Championship.
To satisfy the FIA's safety regulations for historic competition cars, a custom-built full roll cage has been installed together with all the mandatory safety equipment. Goodwood's particular insistence on the retention of period features on historic saloons meant that the Mercedes had to have factory steel wheels and full interior trim. Like that of its 'Fintail' stablemate, this car's attention to detail has seen it acknowledged as one of the best presented entries at the Goodwood Revival, even impressing visiting directors of Mercedes-Benz.
Motor sports legends that have co-driven this car at Goodwood include Desiré Wilson, Jürgen Barth, Jochen Mass, and Brian Redman. 'RSG 395' has also been welcome in the HRDC's popular 'Touring Greats' series for pre-1960 touring cars and will surely remain so for the foreseeable future. During this period, the car was always maintained regardless of cost by Tipton Garage, who kept it in first class order.
When the owner/driver retired from active participation in motor sports, both of his historic Mercedes-Benz racers were purchased by the current vendor. The current owner acquired the car in January 2016 and is only offering it for sale today for medical reasons. This Mercedes (and its 300SE stablemate) has been maintained to a very high standard by Ian Nuthall's 'INRacing', specialists in historic competition cars of all kinds, and is presented in ready-to-race condition. This well-known Mercedes-Benz racing saloon represents a wonderful opportunity to own a car having one of the longest associations with Goodwood's much loved Revival meeting.