Fresh 'nut-and-bolt' concours restoration
Estimate £140,000 - £180,000
Registration No: DSU 174
Chassis No: 12104220016446
MOT: February 2023
Original UK-delivered RHD car
Full nut-and-bolt restoration just completed
Only covered 200 miles since restoration
Unveiled in prototype form at the 1954 New York Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was a ground-breaking design. Far more civilised than many contemporary sports cars, its ethos foreshadowed that of the ‘personal luxury cars’ which dominated the American market the following decade. Featuring a monocoque bodyshell, wind-up windows, snug fitting soft-top and all-round independent suspension years before the likes of Jaguar, Austin-Healey, MG and Triumph caught up, the newcomer was powered by a 1.9 litre SOHC four-cylinder engine allied to four-speed, all synchromesh manual transmission which endowed it with a 107mph top speed. The 190 SL’s rear suspension might have been derived from that of Mercedes-Benz’s all-conquering W196 Grand Prix cars but it was the Convertible’s styling that really grabbed buyers’ attention.
Second fiddle to the 300 SL (W198) Roadster or not, the 190 SL (W121) was still bewitchingly pretty. Only in production from 1955 – 1963 during which time some 25,881 examples were made, the model’s popularity has been perpetuated by appearances in hundreds of films, advertisements, pop videos and even on the pages of Playboy magazine. A true 1950s icon, its appeal remains strong today.
The Mercedes-Benz 190SL offered here was originally delivered to the United Kingdom in March 1960. Being a rare, original right-hand drive car, it is finished in a striking Mercedes Grey with a Red leather interior and matching hood. Under the previous ownership, the roadster was meticulously maintained to a high standard, as the sheaf of invoices on file will attest. However, for the current vendor, nothing but the best will do, so after acquisition, the car was subjected to a full nut-and-bolt restoration by Classic & Sportscar Centre of Malton, North Yorkshire. The photographic record together with the supporting invoices clearly shows the thoroughness of the entire project. The car comes with all tools, old and current V5C and MOTs dating back to 1973.
An auction of classic & collector cars in the stunning surrounds of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford - Wednesday 19th October from 1pm