Mercedes 190SL (1959)

The Mercedes 190SL was conceived and developed in the early 1950s with the idea being to combine the iconic looks, style and presence of the Mercedes 300SL to create a more gentle GT cruiser. The car was first unveiled as a mere prototype at the 1954 New York Motor Show and production spanned almost a decade, lasting until February 1963. This model was in fact completely different from the 300SL and was based on a shortened version of the 180 Saloon. The engine was a four cylinder twin-carburettor version of the standard 1.9 litre unit, which produced 105 bhp - as opposed to the six cylinder engine in the 300SL. A conventional floor-mounted gear shifter was fitted to the 190SL, as opposed to the column gear change. It had all round independent suspension and was designed initially for the American market, proving to be very popular with approximately 26,000 units sold. In 1955, the car received a slight facelift and was fitted with servo-assisted brakes in 1956. An option of a removable hardtop was also offered by Mercedes.

This eye-catching example was completed by Mercedes-Benz in September 1959 and comes complete with a soft top roof. It was originally completed in "Weibgrau DB158" which is white-grey, but is currently finished in Blue with matching carpets and leather - this colour combination suits the car very well. In the early 2000s a comprehensive and complete restoration was undertaken by renowned Mercedes specialists Van Dijk, which is when the car was stripped to a bare shell and repainted. This restoration is documented thoroughly with all the invoices present and a photobook representing a pictorial guide of the entire process. Following this, the car came to the UK in 2008 and has had two subsequent owners in the country, who have cared for the car meticulously. In addition, DK Engineering are very familiar with the car having supplied it to the most recent owner, and maintained it since. It was serviced in our workshops in May 2015, meaning that it is today in superb mechanical order. This is an opportunity to acquire a fine example of a 190SL finished to an exceptionally high standard. The car is ready to be enjoyed immediately by its next custodian and is available for viewing at our showroom just outside London.