Mercedes-Benz Fintail

Mercedes-Benz Fintail (German: Heckflosse) is a nickname for saloon cars of the W110, W111, and W112 series produced by Mercedes from 1959 to 1968. These replaced the Ponton-series saloon cars introduced in 1953.

These series' modest tailfin-era styling reflected the US-led trend. In Mercedes terminology, the short rear fins were designated Peilstege (lit. 'bearing bars', from peilen ‘take a bearing, find the direction’ + Steg ‘bar’),^[1]^[2] parking aids which marked the end of the car for aid in backing.

The production series included:

Four-cylinder saloon cars
- 1961–68 Mercedes-Benz W110 — 190c, 190Dc (1961–65), 200, 200D, 230 (1961–65)
Six-cylinder saloon cars
- 1959–68 Mercedes-Benz W111 — 220b, 220Sb, 220SEb, 230S
- 1961–65 Mercedes-Benz W112 — 300SE

References

^ "Mercedes-Benz S-Class". Daimler AG. The luxury class saloons presented in 1959 were given the name "Tailfin" because of the characteristic fin-like markers at the rear known as "Peilstege" (something like "bearing bars").
^ "Übersetzung für „Steg"". Langenscheidt. plank; jetty; gangway; bridge; bar, crosspiece