1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Convertible with Hardtop

• First owner from 1960 to 2008
• Three owners from new
• Professionally restored in 2013
• £24,294 spent since 2010 (bills available)

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 sportscars 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 carburettors, the M121 unit produced 105bhp DIN (120bhp SAE) at 5,700rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190SL to 100km/h (62mph) in 14.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 171km/h (106mph). Refined, comfortable and stylish, 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.
This 190 SL was purchased new from South Coast Mercedes-Benz agents, Jacksons. Mostly maintained by Jacksons, the car remained with its original owner up to September 2008 when it was sold (from a deceased's estate) at Bonhams' Beaulieu Autojumble sale (Lot 374). Some two years later the Mercedes was sold to the current (third) owner at Bonhams' auction at the RAF Museum, Hendon in March 2010 (Lot 420). The car was professionally restored in 2013, with some bills available. Modifications notified by the vendor are as follows: colour changed from red to silver grey; converted to electric power steering ( original system available); engine converted to unleaded compatibility; battery isolator in cabin; hood colour changed from black to red; all seats in calf leather. Twin-choke Weber carburettors (replacing the original Solexes) is the only other notified deviation from factory specification. In total, £24,294 has been spent on this car since 2010, the largest invoice being Bata Classic Cars' 2015 bill for £14,375.
This outstanding Mercedes-Benz comes complete with factory hardtop and is offered with its original owner's manual and parts book; a quantity of expired MoT certificates dating back to the 1970s; and a V5C registration document. The car is only being sold because of the vendor's frequent travels and access to other vehicles, which has resulted in it being rarely used.