Lot details Registration No: UYF 93 Chassis No: 12104D8501164 Mot Expiry: None
The 190SL Roadster retained most of the 300SL's looks in a more affordable, less-specialised package. For many contemporary road testers the presence of the larger, more glamorous car overshadowed it, but in practice the model found many willing buyers. A prototype was first shown at the 1954 New York Motor Show alongside the 300SL. In production from 1955-'63, the 190SL was powered by an 1897cc overhead cam four-cylinder engine allied to four-speed, floor-change manual transmission. With a quoted 105bhp on tap, its reputed 110mph top speed was a match for the likes of the Triumph TR2 and Austin-Healey 100. Smooth and durable, the powerplant was noted for its unstressed nature. The two-seater handled well too, and had a good ride, owing to its underpinnings being derived from the 180-series saloon. It was no lightweight, even though it featured aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid, and seemed very costly at £2,693. But the quality was very high, and during the eight year production run, almost 26,000 examples were built, outnumbering by 9:1 the quantity of 300SLs produced. In effect, it was the 190SL which convinced Mercedes-Benz to continue with the SL concept.
Finished in white with red upholstery and a wealth of glorious 50's detailing, this particular example entered the current family ownership during 1975 and has been on static display as part of a private Lake District collection for many years. The Mercedes-Benz is reported to have been driven into the collection under its own power, but at present is a non-runner and will require re-commissioning prior to road use. Sold strictly as viewed it is accompanied by a green logbook, expired MOT certificate (July 1976) and V5 / V5C Registration Documents.
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