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LOT 195

1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Convertible Chassis no. 121040-10018980 Engine no. 121921-10019115

Sold for €120,750 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 195

1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Convertible

The Zoute Sale|8 October 2023, 13:00 CEST|Knokke-Heist, Le Zoute

1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Convertible
Chassis no. 121040-10018980
Engine no. 121921-10019115

• Ideal summer cruiser
• Correct Solex carburettors
• Retaining original interior and important features
• Attractive colour combination
• Offered from an important European collection
• EU taxes paid

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. 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 at 5,700rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190SL to 100 km/h in 13 seconds and on to a top speed of 170 km/h. The fact that the 190'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.

Presumably delivered new to the USA, this 190 SL was titled in Connecticut in May 1962 shortly after it arrived in the USA (Certificate of Title on file). The Mercedes remained in the USA for most of its life, only returning to Europe in 2013. The instrumentation is in km/h with an odometer reading of approximately 54,000 kilometres. The car is still fitted with the correct Solex carburettors and the body number is correctly stamped under the bonnet. An older restoration that is holding up very well, this fine example is nicely presented in light blue with a lovely patinated red interior, which has a highly original feel too it. An ideal summer cruiser, this delightful Mercedes-Benz soft-top comes with an EU taxes-paid document and the aforementioned old US title.

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  • 5 October 2023, 10:00 - 18:00 CEST
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