1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Registration No: 173 UYT
Chassis No: 12104010022709
MOT: Exempt

• Imported to the United Kingdom from Canada in 2008
• Presented in the highly attractive colour scheme of Mercedes White (DB050) with Red leather interior upholstery
• Residing in current ownership since 2016
• Much mechanical improvement while in the vendor’s custodianship

The 190SL was introduced in 1955 – the year Mercedes swept all before it on the Mille Miglia with the 300SLR. Indeed, the graceful convertible grand tourer was sold alongside the road-going version of the SLR – the 300SL - whose styling it strongly resembled. In fact, the underpinnings of the two cars were quite different and, while the 300SL had a purpose-built tubular spaceframe (W198), its smaller sibling was built on a shortened version of the ‘Ponton’ saloon (W121) platform, which was of monocoque construction. The 190SL also boasted an all-new engine - an over-square SOHC straight-four unit of 1897cc that produced some 120bhp, which was sufficient to propel the car to a maximum speed of 112mph. The engine was coupled to a manual four-speed gearbox. The suspension comprised double wishbones and coil springs at the front and a coil-sprung swing axle at the rear. Steering was by recirculating ball and braking by power-assisted drums all round. Built to the highest standards and among the quickest comparable cars of the time, the 190SL featured a well-appointed cockpit, notable comfort for its occupants and relatively generous luggage space. The 190SL continued in production until 1963, when both it and the 300SL were replaced by the 230SL (W113). By this time 25,881 190SLs had been produced.

Factory finished in the elegant combination of Mercedes White (DB050) with Red leather upholstery and a Black hood, this particular example – chassis 12104010022709 – is understood to have been supplied new to the German market. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean sometime thereafter, the 190SL reportedly spent four decades in North America before going under the hammer with Rob Myers Auctions during 2008. One of several cars bought at that Ontario sale and imported to the UK, the Mercedes-Benz spent the next eight years stored in a Carcoon. Entering the current ownership in 2016, chassis 12104010022709 was recommissioned for road use and registered with the DVLA as ‘173 UYT’. Converted to run on unleaded petrol and fitted with a re-cored radiator during 2020, the Roadster was entrusted to Woolmer Classic Engineering two years later for the installation of a Gower & Lee Weber carburettor conversion kit which cost some £2,800. Covering a modest 500 miles or so during the vendor’s nine-year tenure, ‘173 UYT’ is supplied with a history file that includes the importation documentation, an inspection letter from the Mercedes-Benz Club, previous MOT certificates, an original owner’s manual, and current V5C document. Also accompanying the 190SL are a spare set of wheels, as well as the original carburettors, jack, and warning triangle.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452