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LOT 161 Ω

1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Chassis no. 121042.5501579

Sold for US$84,000 inc. premium
Lot 161Ω

1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
Chassis no. 121042.5501579


1,897cc SOHC 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Solex Carburetors
105bhp at 5,700rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Two owners from new
*Elegant color scheme
*Great candidate for vintage racing or rallies
*A Mercedes-Benz classic


THE MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL

For those insufficiently wealthy to afford its hyper-expensive, race-bred sports car - the 300SL - Mercedes-Benz offered the less exotic but no less refined 190SL. Announced in 1954 and based on the 180 saloon, whose all-independently-suspended running gear it used, the 190SL did not enter production until January 1955, the delay being caused by alterations aimed at strengthening the saloon's shortened platform to compensate for the open body's reduced stiffness. "Very few new sports cars have been so eagerly awaited or so long in coming as the moderately priced SL version of the Mercedes-Benz," observed Road & Track magazine.

Mounted on a detachable subframe along with the four-speed manual gearbox, front suspension and steering, the power unit was a 1,897cc overhead-camshaft four, the first such engine ever to feature in a Mercedes-Benz. Breathing through twin Solex downdraft carburetors, this M121 power unit produced 105bhp at 5,700rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190SL to 100km/h in 14.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 171km/h. The fact that the 190's ride was more boulevard than sporting, and that many contemporary sports cars could outperform it while costing a good deal less, did nothing to deter sales. The model was a big hit in the US, where a good percentage of the slightly fewer than 26,000 produced between 1955 and 1963 found homes.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This lovely 190SL is a well preserved, two owner car. Originally ordered in welßgrau (white grey), the original owner repainted the car black. It also appears that the interior was retrimmed in the red MB-Tex it wears today—although it was otherwise kept stock barring the addition of updated seatbelts.

Purchased by the current owner a quarter of a century ago from the estate of the original, Atlanta owner, it has since resided in climate-controlled comfort in a Canadian garage. Since acquisition, the car has been regularly serviced as required by the specialists at Forli Motors in Toronto, Ontario. Sparingly driven but always enjoyed, the car shows nicely today with about 86,300 believed-to-be-original miles currently indicated on the odometer. The interior shows well and is still fitted with a desirable Becker Mexico "automatic tuning" radio for when the drive requires some tunes. Under the hood, the engine bay appears to be correct, unmodified, and quite original.

Shown at a few local concours, the sporty droptop Benz is now ready to head to its next luck owner. A lovely machine for tours or Sunday drives, no matter what the use, you're guaranteed to arrive in style!

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Please note, the title for this vehicle will be in transit.

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  • 1 June 2019, 10:00 - 17:00 EDT
  • 2 June 2019, 10:00 - 10:30 EDT

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ΩImport Duty
Lot is subject to US Customs duty or tariff and/or related import fees payable by the buyer as part of the purchase price. Please refer to the Specialist Department managing the auction for details.

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