Lot details Registration No: 982 UYY Chassis No: 12110425500239 Mot Expiry: Exempt
- Rare factory hard top
- Fully UK registered
- First year or production
The 190 SL was introduced in 1955 - the year Mercedes swept all before it on the Mille Miglia with the 300 SLR. However, unlike the 300 series cars, the newcomer was of monocoque construction and built on a shortened version of the 'Ponton' Saloon (W121) platform. It also boasted an all-new engine - an over-square SOHC straight-four unit of 1,897cc that produced some 120bhp, which was sufficient to propel the car to a maximum speed of 112mph. It drove through a four-speed manual gearbox operated by a short, floor-mounted lever. The suspension comprised double wishbones and coil springs at the front and coil sprung swing axles 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 cars of the time, the 190 SL featured a well-appointed cockpit, notable comfort for its occupants and relatively generous luggage space. Under the circumstances, even the steep asking price of £2,693 did nothing to deter purchasers. The convertible could be ordered with or without removable hard top. There was also the option of a third seat placed transversely behind the front ones and big enough to carry an adult. The 190 SL continued in production until 1963, when both it and the 300 SL were replaced by the 113 series 230 SL. By this time over 25,000 190 SLs had been built.
Paperwork accompanying this smartly-presented lefthand drive example confirm it spent some time in Ohio, USA before the vendor imported it from a Florida dealer in October last year. Now UK-registered, its lustrous brightwork enhances the look of the Red bodywork and luxurious hide interior trim. The Benz is being offered complete with both a colour-keyed hard top and Beige hood, thereby fully catering for whatever type of British weather it may encounter.
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