Mercedes-Benz Ponton Fitted Luggage
from a 1959 Type 220S sedan

Jim Portteus / Linton, Indiana

This is the only photo my father has of his former 1959 Mercedes-Benz Type 220S sedan.  It was taken in Baumholder, Germany where they lived at the time it was purchased.  Note the tire chains.

My father enlisted my help to sell the fitted luggage set from his 1959 Type 220S Ponton sedan.  Why he kept the luggage after selling the 220S, I do not know.  It should fit other Ponton sedans as well, but I'm not sure.  This set will not fit the Ponton coupés and cabriolets.  In overall good condition, there were 4 pieces:

• 2 large trunks with inside trays.
• 1 medium size trunk.
• 1 smaller "shoe" trunk.

They were a factory option and were listed as "4 piece luggage set, corduroy" on the original purchase order for the car. He even still had the keys that came with it, and the locks still worked. The luggage set has since been sold.

This set was manufactured by Karl Baisch Autokofferfabrik of Stuttgart - Bad Cannstatt, and purchased directly from Daimler-Benz and was delivered with the 220S in January, 1959.  Here are some other statistics from the Original Invoice:

• Chassis No. 180010-N-8518822
• Engine No. 180924-N-8513664
• Body No. A 180010-8511075
• Original Price 325.00 DM

This photo shows them arranged as they would fit in the trunk.

This one is of them all standing.

Here is a close up of the Medium sized piece.

This one shows a stain that is on the bottom of one of the large trunks.  It is the worst of the blemishes.

Here is a shot of all of them with three of them open.

Here is one of the large ones open. Each large piece is identical inside.

This picture shows a close up of one of the handles. You can also see some of the stains left behind from moving stickers that were once attached.

This is a close up of the inner tag which is in all of the pieces.