1956 Mercedes Benz 190 SL

1956 Mercedes Benz 190 SL
Sold for $165,000 Including Commission
RM & Sotheby's Auction, Amelia Island, Florida 2015
Chassis no. 121.040.6502563
Engine no. 121.921.6502615
Body no. A121.040.6500667
120 bhp, 1,897 cc SOHC inline four-cylinder engine with two Solex carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs, swing axle rear suspension with coil springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 94.5 in. Please note that this lot is titled as a 1957.
•Recent concours restoration performed in the Netherlands
•Matching hardtop, manuals, and tools
Following the success of the 300 SL Coupe and Roadster, Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. importer, Max Hoffman, suggested that a similarly styled, less costly alternative might be successful. The resulting car was the 190 SL, and it featured styling that was derived from the Gullwing, which many an enthusiast adored but only few could afford. The car proved to be popular with the public at the 1954 New York Auto Show, and it remained in strong demand throughout its nine-year production run.
Hoffman built on the racing-oriented 300 SL’s curvaceous shape, which allowed for both the hardtop coupe and the subsequent roadsters to share a design language that was unique to the Stuttgart automaker in the early 1950s. Both the six-cylinder 300 SL and four-cylinder 190 SL models were marketed, but the less expensive latter version vastly outsold its “big brother,” proving that Hoffman’s knack for success was unparalleled among automobile importers. Both the 190 SL and the 300 SL were very similar aesthetically.
The 190 SL was powered by a 1.9-liter inline four-cylinder with twin Solex carburetors, and it boasted 120 horsepower, to reach a top speed of over 105 mph. Unlike the 300 SL, which was born and bred on the race track, the 190 SL was best suited for touring, as it featured copious amounts of luggage space, despite having a convertible top. Top-down cruising was effortless, and both the driver and passenger could arrive at their final destination ready for whatever was in store for them after a day-long drive.
Prior to the current owner’s acquisition of this stunning 190 SL, it had been owned for most of its life by one family in California. Subsequently, it was shipped to the Netherlands, where it received a comprehensive concours restoration to exacting specifications. This delightful roadster is presented in “as-new” condition throughout, and it includes a matching hardtop, manuals, and tools. It currently has only 64,460 original miles on its odometer, of which approximately 100 have been accrued since restoration. The restoration itself was fully documented, and included with the purchase of the car is a disc with numerous photos of the work performed.
The fact that the 190 SL was both stunning to behold and a good deal more practical for real-world use helped to seal the deal for well-healed buyers. More than 26,000 examples found owners during the 190 SL’s production run from 1955 to 1963, and they are very well regarded to this day. This particular 190 SL is in excellent condition, as it has traveled limited miles since the completion of its full European restoration, and it would surely attract lots of attention at any Mercedes-Benz club event in the future.
Robert Myrick Photography