Lot details Registration No: See Text Chassis No: 12104010022588 Mot Expiry: None
The 190SL Roadster retained much of the 300SL's style in a more affordable 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 1955-1963, 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, 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. It was the 190SL that convinced Mercedes-Benz to continue with the SL concept.
Finished in Cream with Red leather upholstery, this particular left-hand drive example is described by the vendor as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork. Treated to a new exhaust, brake overhaul and fresh springs / dampers last year, more recent work has seen the roadster benefit from a new hood and tonneau cover to complement its refurbished seats. Said to be in nice usable order, the Mercedes-Benz is currently registered on the Isle of Man but will be supplied to a new owner with an export certificate. Aside from the lack of duty to pay if imported to the UK, a further plus point is its accompanying factory hardtop.
PLEASE NOTE: There is no tonneau cover with this vehicle. There is a factory hard top which the vendor will send to the successful buyer at the vendor's expense.
PLEASE NOTE: This lot has been trimmed with vinyl and not leather as catalogued.
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