1957 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Beautifully restrained, elegant, and just about perfect. An article from the New York Motor Show best described the Mercedes Benz 190 SL as "a stunning new production sports car that offers three hits – Race bred performance, luxurious comfort and operational robustness - with no errors”.

Based on the curvaceous shape of the race-going Gullwing and with bank-vault solid construction the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL hails from an era when automotive design wasn’t constrained by an accountant’s felt-tip and has meant that today this space age sports classic is one of the most collectable and recognisable cars of the modern era.

The 190’s M121 power unit produces 105 hp at 5,700rpm, the first engine of its kind for Mercedes-Benz and enough to propel the 190 SL from a standing start to 100 km/h in 13 seconds - more Hollywood Boulevard than Targa Florio but enough to get the heart racing.

Originally delivered new to the U.S. this rare Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was beautifully restored in 2005 and today it is presented in period correct Ivory with a Black hard top over Black leather trim.

The paintwork and interior trim remain in excellent condition after 14 years since its restoration, the characteristically 50’s/60’s Benz dash carries all of its original chrome VDO dials, Bakelite switches and steering wheel are in perfectly preserved condition, even the original Becker Europa auto radio is still present.

The 190 SL has been upgraded with Weber Carburettors to improve performance and it is accompanied by its hard to find hardtop, Black soft-top, the original owner’s manual, vehicle service book, its original Becker Europa Service Book, an original 190 SL sales brochure, a host of photographs documenting its restoration and its original tool-kit.

Alongside the glamorous and fabulously expensive 300 SL Gullwing, the 190 SL has always maintained its own cachet of collectability. Its all-synchromesh four speed gearbox, sports touring driving dynamics and combination of top-down or hard-top-on motoring make it perfectly user friendly.

Finding a 190 SL in such excellently well restored condition with distinctive provenance is incredibly hard and with values and interest ever increasing, this car presents a unique opportunity to invest in one of the country’s leading-edge examples.