Lot details Registration No: OKU309A Chassis No: 025624 Mot Expiry: Dec 2005
Launched at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, at a time when the name Mercedes-Benz was once again beginning to dominate the motor racing scene, as it had done in the pre-war era, the most attractive 190SL roadster looked very similar to its big sister, the 300SL, but was aimed at a much more affordable section of the new car market. Based on the 180 saloon of 1953, this was the first Mercedes-Benz where a unitary-construction body/chassis was employed, the 190SL also sported all round coil spring suspension and power-assisted drum brakes.
Performance came from an 1897cc capacity version of the 180 saloon's four-cylinder engine, which, via twin Solex carburettors, produced 120bhp at 5700rpm and 101lb/ft of torque at 3800rpm. Allied to a four-speed manual gearbox, this endowed the sleek, aerodynamic and comparatively light 190SL with an 115mph top speed and 0-60mph acceleration in a most respectable 13.0 seconds.
This 190SL - a right-hand drive open two-seater with original and now rare glass-screen soft top and frame as well as having the added benefit of hardtop - first left the Stuttgart works in 1963. The roadster is said by the vendor not only to be in very good condition with excellent white paintwork and blue leather interior rated as OK, but is reportedly also a delight to drive with 1.9-litre engine and manual transmission as well as electrical equipment reportedly all working well. The paperwork includes current registration document and old MOT, the current MOT test pass certificate valid until December, the tax-free disc until November.
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