LOT 153

1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster Registration no. 767 XPL Chassis no. 121-042-20-022643

Estimate: £90,000 - £120,000

Lot 153

1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster
Registration no. 767 XPL Chassis no. 121-042-20-022643

Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale: Event Cancelled: All Lots Listed Still Available for Sale until 17:00 GMT Sunday 29th March|29 March 2020, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster
Registration no. 767 XPL
Chassis no. 121-042-20-022643

*Iconic soft-top Mercedes-Benz
*Restored and upgraded in 2017
*Weber carburettors and front disc brakes
*Professionally stored and barely driven since restoration
*Comprehensive history file available

Footnotes

"It proved to be fast and tireless, exhilarating to drive and was probably created with long distance, comfortable travel in mind..." - The Autocar on the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, 10th January 1956.

For those insufficiently wealthy to afford its hyper-expensive race-bred sports car - the 300 SL - Mercedes-Benz offered the less exotic but no less refined 190 SL. Announced in 1954 and based on the 180 saloon whose all-independently-suspended running gear it used, the 190 SL 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 sub-frame 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 carburettors, the M121 unit produced 105bhp at 5,700rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190 SL to 60mph in around 14 seconds and on to a top speed of 106mph. The fact that the 190 SL's ride was more boulevard than sporting, and that many contemporary sports cars could out-perform it while costing a good deal less, did nothing to deter sales. The model was a big hit in the USA, where many of the slightly fewer than 26,000 produced between 1955 and 1963 found homes.

Finished in blue-grey with red leather interior, this beautiful 190 SL was extensively restored by Premium Classic Cars in 2017 and since then has been kept in tiptop condition by Windrush Secure Car Storage. The odometer was zeroed during the restoration and the car has covered a mere 172 miles since completion. Sensibly upgraded during the rebuild, it boasts Weber carburettors (retaining the original-style air box); a front disc brake conversion and brake booster; seat belts; an up-rated radiator core; a Kenlowe electric fan (with manual override); and a Becker Mexico Retro 7942 radio with custom soundboard. In total, some £200,000 was spent on the car's acquisition and restoration, as detailed by bills and photographs in the comprehensive history file, which also contains MoT certificates, records of previous owners, a V5C document, and MoT to 31st July 2020. James Edgerton's detailed post-restoration report on the car's condition is on file also. This extensively restored and sensibly upgraded car is worthy of the closest inspection.

Saleroom notices

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