LOT 70
1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Chassis no. 121040-10-025619 Engine no. 121928-10-003501
Sold for US$162,000 inc. premium
Lot 70
1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
Chassis no. 121040-10-025619
Engine no. 121928-10-003501
Chassis no. 121040-10-025619
Engine no. 121928-10-003501
1,897cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Solex PHH44 Carburetors
105bhp at 5,700rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Amazingly well-preserved, one-owner car wearing original paint
*Stunning numbers-matching 'barn find' with only 37,690 original miles
*California car since new, complete with original black license plate
*Beautiful Graphite Grey color, complete with matching hardtop
*Comes with original, unused soft top in 1962 Mercedes factory crate
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
In the 1950s, the spartan little roadsters from Britain swelled in popularity among the burgeoning sporty-car set, but the New York-based European car importer Max Hoffman saw room in the middle for a stylish, more refined drop-top cruiser. He persuaded Mercede-Benz management to create a simpler, less costly convertible to sell alongside the exotic 300SL, and, considering Hoffman's past record, Mercedes-Benz brass were all ears, responding with a stylish four-cylinder runabout bearing a family resemblance to the iconic 300SL. By using a shortened platform and components from the Ponton saloon, costs were kept in check without sacrificing the quality that Mercedes-Benz buyers expected. On debut, Road & Track declared 'on the highway an 80mph cruising speed is extremely comfortable and well within the car's capabilities, both as to engine durability and roadability.' Just as Hoffman predicted, Americans fell head-over-heels for the stylish German roadster, and were the biggest consumers of the new 'baby' SL, scooping up many of the 26,000 produced between 1955 and 1963.
THE CAR OFFERED
This impressive 190SL is a one-owner example that has spent its entire life in California. Showing 37,690 original miles at the time of cataloguing, this collector's dream still wears its original California black license plate and its original factory Graphite Grey paint. The impressive litany gets even better as we delve into the details, as this car also retains its original tan leather interior, presented in lovely order with a pleasing patina. The remaining soft trim, carpeting and headliner are finely preserved, even after 61 years of cherished care. Behind the front seats is the optional side-facing 'kinder' seat. It also wears its color-matched and numbered factory hardtop with a similarly consistent patina. Intriguingly, this 190SL has only ever worn its hard top, and the factory soft top, matched to this specific car, is still sitting brand new and unused in the original Mercedes-Benz wooden crate from 1962. The construction of the crate is a marvel in itself and is a wonderful piece of automobilia to display alongside this 190SL.
Accompaniments include the original books, manuals and pouch, original date-coded spare wheel and tire, jack, and above-mentioned soft top. Details like the correct factory spot weld marks in the engine bay, labels and tags point to this W121 leading a cherished existence. The original matching-numbers engine has been recently serviced and is reported to be ready for enjoyment by its next caretaker. This remarkable 'garage find' example is remarkably well-preserved, and judging from the black California license plate, the last time it was road registered was in 2001. This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire an exceptionally well-preserved 190SL Roadsters complete with many unique details and complements.
2 Solex PHH44 Carburetors
105bhp at 5,700rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Amazingly well-preserved, one-owner car wearing original paint
*Stunning numbers-matching 'barn find' with only 37,690 original miles
*California car since new, complete with original black license plate
*Beautiful Graphite Grey color, complete with matching hardtop
*Comes with original, unused soft top in 1962 Mercedes factory crate
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
In the 1950s, the spartan little roadsters from Britain swelled in popularity among the burgeoning sporty-car set, but the New York-based European car importer Max Hoffman saw room in the middle for a stylish, more refined drop-top cruiser. He persuaded Mercede-Benz management to create a simpler, less costly convertible to sell alongside the exotic 300SL, and, considering Hoffman's past record, Mercedes-Benz brass were all ears, responding with a stylish four-cylinder runabout bearing a family resemblance to the iconic 300SL. By using a shortened platform and components from the Ponton saloon, costs were kept in check without sacrificing the quality that Mercedes-Benz buyers expected. On debut, Road & Track declared 'on the highway an 80mph cruising speed is extremely comfortable and well within the car's capabilities, both as to engine durability and roadability.' Just as Hoffman predicted, Americans fell head-over-heels for the stylish German roadster, and were the biggest consumers of the new 'baby' SL, scooping up many of the 26,000 produced between 1955 and 1963.
THE CAR OFFERED
This impressive 190SL is a one-owner example that has spent its entire life in California. Showing 37,690 original miles at the time of cataloguing, this collector's dream still wears its original California black license plate and its original factory Graphite Grey paint. The impressive litany gets even better as we delve into the details, as this car also retains its original tan leather interior, presented in lovely order with a pleasing patina. The remaining soft trim, carpeting and headliner are finely preserved, even after 61 years of cherished care. Behind the front seats is the optional side-facing 'kinder' seat. It also wears its color-matched and numbered factory hardtop with a similarly consistent patina. Intriguingly, this 190SL has only ever worn its hard top, and the factory soft top, matched to this specific car, is still sitting brand new and unused in the original Mercedes-Benz wooden crate from 1962. The construction of the crate is a marvel in itself and is a wonderful piece of automobilia to display alongside this 190SL.
Accompaniments include the original books, manuals and pouch, original date-coded spare wheel and tire, jack, and above-mentioned soft top. Details like the correct factory spot weld marks in the engine bay, labels and tags point to this W121 leading a cherished existence. The original matching-numbers engine has been recently serviced and is reported to be ready for enjoyment by its next caretaker. This remarkable 'garage find' example is remarkably well-preserved, and judging from the black California license plate, the last time it was road registered was in 2001. This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire an exceptionally well-preserved 190SL Roadsters complete with many unique details and complements.
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