Knightsbridge on a sunny afternoon is a haven for car enthusiasts. During one such stroll, amidst the usual sightings of luxury SUVs, the unmistakable roar of a 6.2L V8 AMG engine cut through the air. It was the sound of an M156, a symphony to car lovers, instantly piquing my interest above the drone of ubiquitous Bentleys and Lamborghinis. My fellow spotters, fixated on a rumored McLaren Senna sighting, were oblivious, but I knew I had to find the source of that glorious AMG rumble.
Initially, the source remained elusive. The powerful V8 burble suggested something special, perhaps an SLS AMG, but the busy street offered no immediate clues. The W204 C63 AMG, a more common bearer of this engine, also didn’t appear in the immediate vicinity. Just as I considered rejoining my McLaren-awaiting companions, traffic shifted, and the AMG’s voice grew louder, closer. The hunt was back on.
“Show yourself,” I mentally commanded, and as if on cue, a black vehicle emerged. At first glance, it resembled a London black cab, but a closer look revealed its true identity: a Mercedes-Benz Ponton, cloaked in an all-encompassing black. This wasn’t just black; it was an abyss, a stark contrast to the chrome-laden luxury typically seen in Knightsbridge.
Grabbing my camera, I captured videos of this enigmatic machine. Little did I know, these clips would soon ignite the internet, racking up over 20 million views within a week. The black Ponton AMG became a viral sensation, and for me, it transformed into my next “Project Exposure” feature. My mission was clear: I had to find this 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
The digital age simplified the search. The build company was quickly identified through tags on my viral posts, and a meeting was arranged. What unfolded was a narrative far more compelling than I anticipated – a tale of automotive passion executed with remarkable ingenuity.
Ponton 63 AMG: Exterior Transformation
The mastermind behind this creation is Xtreem Motors, located in Mitcham, a quaint area in Southwest London. Ivo, the owner, walked me through the project, detailing its genesis and execution. His story, filled with automotive passion and resourceful problem-solving, was unforgettable.
The project began in 2020, during the peak of Covid lockdowns. Amidst global uncertainty and plummeting car prices, Ivo acquired a neglected Mercedes-Benz Ponton for a bargain price. With his workshop facing pandemic-induced downtime, he decided to embark on a personal project, breathing new life into the classic Mercedes.
Ivo’s journey began on the streets of London after emigrating from Bulgaria. Growing up in his father’s garage, he honed his mechanical skills from a young age. He translated this expertise into a street mechanic career in London in the early 2000s. Through dedication, he eventually established his own garage, Xtreem Motors, which has evolved into a prominent car and motorcycle specialist center in Southwest London over the past 23 years. As Ivo himself put it, “…I don’t remember not having dirty oily hands while growing up, I was always in the garage with my dad.” This deep-rooted passion for mechanics was about to manifest in an extraordinary project.
During the lockdown, with workshops unusually quiet, Ivo, like any true mechanic, sought a project to occupy his time and skills. An opportunity arose when he ventured outside London and encountered a young man in urgent need of funds. The man was selling his 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe (W204).
Originally advertised for £25,000, Ivo negotiated a swift deal at £17,000. This wasn’t just any C63; it was a white Coupe, boasting the coveted performance pack and luxurious classic red nappa leather interior. Armed with a cash deposit, Ivo headed to finalize the purchase, but the transaction took an unexpected, almost surreal turn.
The seller appeared at the window, masked and heavily covered, seemingly terrified of Covid exposure. Refusing to open the door, he instructed Ivo to leave the cash in a basket. Bemused, Ivo complied. In return, the keys were tossed to him, and he was promptly urged to take the car and depart immediately. The remaining balance, to be wired later, seemed secondary to the seller’s desire for a contactless transaction.
Driving back, Ivo couldn’t help but smile at the bizarre yet opportune circumstances. He now possessed two cars and an abundance of time. Despite movement restrictions, a few of his mechanics were still available. The stage was set for a unique automotive fusion, far removed from remote work.
Thus, the equation was formed: 1961 Mercedes-Benz Ponton + 2012 C63 AMG = Ponton 63 AMG. In essence, two distinct vehicles were about to merge into one. The question was, how?
The initial step involved separating the Ponton body from its original chassis, a delicate process requiring a custom scaffolding-like setup. Simultaneously, another team began dismantling the W204 C63 AMG Coupe. Their task was to strip away the body panels while preserving the core: the chassis, interior components, engine, and electronics.
Words can hardly capture the transformation. Perhaps the following gallery provides a clearer picture of the intricate process. Within a week, both cars were reduced to their essential components. The C63 AMG, stripped bare, remained a functional rolling chassis, engine and electronics intact. The interior was removed to facilitate workspace, but crucially, the dashboard and sensors were largely untouched.
Project Progress: Deconstructing and Rebuilding
The next phase involved placing the Ponton shell onto the C63 AMG chassis. Predictably, it wasn’t a seamless fit. A conventional approach might have been to transplant the C63 powertrain into the Ponton. However, the original Ponton chassis would have been incapable of handling the immense power and torque of a modern AMG V8.
Instead, they opted for a more radical solution: adapting the Ponton body to the C63 AMG platform. Given the C63 was originally a two-door coupe, extensive modifications were necessary. New pillars were fabricated, significant framing work was undertaken, and a comprehensive welded/bolted roll cage was integrated to enhance structural rigidity. The prominent exhaust-like pipes at the rear are actually part of this additional framing, contributing to stability rather than exhaust function.
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 their place, a motorsport-inspired six-point harness system has been installed, more suited for track days than daily commutes.
Ponton 63 AMG: Interior Fusion
Despite the stripped-back interior, the car retains the fully functional air conditioning from the modern C63. In fact, during our drive, it became so effective I had to ask Ivo to turn it off.
On the road, the Ponton AMG drives like a contemporary performance car, specifically, a lighter C63 AMG. The torque delivery is immediate, demanding throttle discipline to avoid excessive wheelspin. In comfort mode, it cruises quietly, but switching to Sport or Sport+ unleashes the full AMG aggression. The retention of all the C63’s electronics even includes the manual shift mode, offering a truly engaging driving experience.
So, what is it then? A Ponton project or a C63 AMG project? It’s both. It’s a remarkable synthesis where two automotive eras converge, each existing within the other. It’s a testament to automotive creativity and engineering prowess.
Until next time, as we continue our search for extraordinary automotive stories.
Ponton AMG: A Portrait of Power and Elegance
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