It was a sweltering summer afternoon in London’s Knightsbridge, the kind of day that coaxes automotive gems out onto the streets. As a seasoned car spotter, I was there to witness the spectacle, exchanging greetings and updates with fellow enthusiasts about the day’s sightings. In this part of London, seeing a parade of G63s, Cullinans, and Urus is commonplace, almost mundane. It takes something truly special to turn heads. So, when the unmistakable rumble of an M156 engine cut through the air, it immediately piqued my interest, drawing me away from a group fixated on a McLaren Senna preparing to depart.
Surprisingly, the source of that glorious V8 symphony remained elusive. The raw, visceral sound was undeniably the 6.2L AMG, yet no modern AMG beast was in sight. Perhaps an SLS AMG was lurking nearby? Or maybe the ever-popular W204 C63 AMG? Traffic was moderate, filled with the usual Flying Spurs and BMW i7s, but nothing that fit the AMG bill.
Just as I was about to rejoin my friends and the Senna, traffic began to flow, and the AMG roar intensified. Determination surged – I had to solve this automotive riddle. “Show yourself, M156!” I mentally commanded, half-expecting the car to magically materialize. Then, amidst the moving vehicles, a black shape emerged. Initially, it registered as just another London black cab, but a closer look revealed something far more intriguing: a Mercedes-Benz Ponton, cloaked entirely in black. And when I say black, I mean profoundly, intensely black.
Instinctively, my camera was out, capturing videos that would soon ignite the internet. Within days, the all-black Ponton became a viral sensation, racking up over 20 million views across social media platforms. It was then that “Project Exposure” took on a new mission: to find this enigmatic car and uncover its story.
The year is 1961, MB 190 is the hardest sedans on the market (ok bit less cooler than the fintails of that era) but still. 6 decades later this one has been revived with a full W204 powertrain and interior. 6.2L AMG V8, I’m not sure if it’s even legal. pic.twitter.com/zZ4y4TNCyY
— Earl Karanja (@Earlsimxx) August 15, 2023
Thanks to the internet’s connectivity, locating the owner proved surprisingly easy. The workshop responsible for this creation was tagged repeatedly in the comments of my viral posts. A meeting was arranged, a photoshoot scheduled, and the story behind this incredible machine began to unfold – a story far more unconventional than I could have imagined.
Ponton 63 AMG: Exterior Elegance Meets Modern Muscle
The mastermind behind this project is Xtreem Motors, based in Mitcham, a quaint village in Southwest London. Ivo, the owner, walked me through the build, and the narrative was captivating. The genesis of this Ponton 63 AMG began in 2020, during the peak of Covid lockdowns. Car values had plummeted, and uncertainty gripped the world. Ivo seized the opportunity, acquiring a neglected Mercedes-Benz Ponton for a minimal sum, envisioning a unique project to fill the downtime.
Ivo’s journey started on the streets of London after emigrating from Bulgaria. Having grown up immersed in his father’s garage business, he honed his mechanical skills and quickly established himself as a street mechanic in London in the early 2000s. Years of dedication allowed him to realize his dream of opening his own garage, mirroring his father’s path. Over the past 23 years, he has built Xtreem Motors into a renowned car and motorcycle specialist center in Southwest London. In his words, “…I don’t remember not having dirty oily hands while growing up, I was always in the garage with my dad.”
With his workshop unexpectedly quiet due to lockdown restrictions, Ivo and his team needed a project. Fate intervened when a young man, seeking urgent funds, offered his 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe (W204) for sale. Originally listed for £25,000, Ivo negotiated a swift deal at £17,000. It was a pristine white C63 AMG Coupe, equipped with the performance pack and striking red nappa leather interior. Cash in hand for a deposit, Ivo set off to finalize the purchase.
Upon arriving at the seller’s residence, an unusual scene unfolded. The seller appeared at the window, masked and heavily covered, refusing to open the door. He instructed Ivo to place the cash in a basket left outside. Confused but compliant, Ivo deposited the money, and in return, the keys were tossed to him, along with a gesture to take the car and depart immediately! The remaining balance was to be wired, but the seller seemed indifferent, prioritizing minimal contact.
Ivo drove away, amused and slightly bewildered by the bizarre transaction. He now possessed two cars and an abundance of time. Despite the movement restrictions, a few of his mechanics were still available. Working from home was simply not an option for the ambitious project brewing in Ivo’s mind.
The equation was simple: 1961 Mercedes-Benz Ponton + 2012 C63 AMG = Ponton 63 AMG. Two distinct vehicles, about to be fused into one extraordinary creation.
The Genesis of the Ponton 63 AMG: From Two Cars to One
The initial step involved separating the Ponton’s body shell from its original chassis. This was a delicate procedure, resembling automotive surgery. Simultaneously, another team began dismantling the W204 C63 AMG Coupe, stripping away its body panels while preserving the chassis, interior components, engine, and electronics.
Within a week, both cars were effectively deconstructed. The C63 AMG was reduced to its rolling chassis, still mechanically complete with its engine and electronics operational. The interior was removed for workspace, but the dashboard and sensors remained largely untouched.
The next phase was the audacious part: placing the classic Ponton shell onto the modern C63 AMG chassis. Predictably, it wasn’t a seamless fit. A conventional approach might have been to transplant the C63 AMG powertrain into the Ponton. However, the vintage Ponton chassis was never designed to handle the immense torque and power of a contemporary AMG V8.
Instead, they chose to graft the Ponton body onto the C63 AMG platform. This required significant modification. The C63 AMG Coupe is a two-door vehicle, necessitating substantial adjustments to the Ponton’s structure, including fabricating new B-pillars. Extensive framing and a fully welded/bolted roll cage were integrated to ensure structural rigidity. The prominent exhaust-like pipes visible at the rear are actually part of this reinforcement structure, purely aesthetic and not connected to the functional exhaust system.
Interior Fusion: Classic Aesthetics, Modern Comfort
The interior is pure W204 C63 AMG, albeit in a more Spartan form. Much of the original sound insulation and padding has been omitted, and airbags have been removed in favor of a six-point harness system – a feature more at home on a racetrack than a leisurely drive.
The stripped-down nature of the interior does mean the roof can get quite warm, increasing cabin temperature. However, the modern climate control system from the C63 AMG is fully functional, providing ample cooling. During our drive, it became so effective I had to ask Ivo to reduce the air conditioning as the cabin became rather chilly.
Driving the Ponton 63 AMG: A Unique Experience
Behind the wheel, the Ponton 63 AMG feels surprisingly modern, like a significantly lighter C63 AMG. The torque delivery is immediate, and even with careful throttle application, wheelspin is readily available. In “Comfort” mode, it cruises quietly and smoothly. Switch to “Sport” or “Sport+” and the AMG beast awakens, unleashing its full auditory and performance potential. The original C63 AMG’s manual mode is also retained, offering a truly engaging driving experience.
So, what is it? A Ponton project or a C63 AMG project? It’s a fascinating amalgamation, a testament to creative engineering where two automotive worlds collide and coexist. It’s a 1961 Mercedes Ponton, undeniably, but one infused with the heart and soul of a 2012 C63 AMG – a true 21st-century classic.
For now, farewell. Stay tuned for the next “Project Exposure,” where we’ll uncover another captivating automotive story.
