Mercedes-Benz W121 190 SL Restored sports seats production number 638 (1955)

Vehicle description

In 1955, the public was able to admire the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL at the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike the 300 SL presented 1 year earlier, the 190 SL was not designed as a thoroughbred sports car, but as a sporty, elegant two-seater travel and utility vehicle. The chassis was the shortened frame floor system of the type 180 with the well-known single-joint pendulum axle. The 190 SL was powered by a newly developed four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.9 litres, overhead camshaft and 105 hp. It thus reached a top speed of over 170 km/h. Between 1955 and 1963, Mercedes-Benz built almost 26,000 units of the 190 SL.

The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL approved for auction here is a year of construction in 1955. Originally delivered the roadster with the chassis number 1210425500638 to Italy, until 1999 this Mercedes-Benz had Swiss previous owner, later 1 German owner was added and now the 190 SL has been in the hands of the current owner since 2003. The history of the roadster can be traced back approximately – it is known that a complete restoration took place in Switzerland in 1999. 2 sets of keys, each 5 keys (driver's door, passenger door, ignition and trunk as well as glove compartment) are available for the car. H approval already ennobles this 190 SL, the last main inspection carried out is valid until June 2023. The so-called matching numbers are assumed, an expert opinion from 2011 on the Mercedes-Benz can be submitted according to seller information.

A 190 SL bears the "gullwing face" with folds along the front and rear fenders above the wheel cuts. In terms of body colour, this 190 SL is kept in an ivory colour, together with the black soft top, the appearance of this roadster provides graceful elegance. The car was completely repainted in the course of the full restoration in 1999 in Switzerland, except for 1 small dent in the driver's door and 2 very small dents in the passenger door, the exterior of this Mercedes-Benz has no defects. All chrome trim is in perfect condition and the fabric top of the roadster has neither cracks nor coarse abrasion marks, in addition, the plastic rear window can be attested to a damage-free condition. The seller can rule out an accident during his holding period.

Firestone tyres are mounted on the original steel rims with chrome hubcaps: Borstein scratches on the rims are apparently not present, the tires and the brake system attest to the seller's good condition. In the area of the chassis there are obviously no deficits to be enumerated.

Filigree with a lot of leather and chrome, the interior of the 190 SL is kept, in this case the interior is decorated with red leather and the dashboard is kept in body color. In the course of the restoration work in Switzerland in 1999, the entire interior of this Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was also renewed – complaints about damage or even signs of wear and tear cannot be removed from this roadster. As special features, the shapely sports seats can be mentioned. In addition, this early example of a 190 SL offered here does not yet have a passenger exterior mirror and the sun visor in Plexiglas with chrome border on the driver's side. Other features include the "mother-in-law seat" (3rd seat transverse at the back), the watch in the glove compartment flap and a Monte Carlo original radio. Recently, the trunk lock has been hooked a bit, the seller mentions that the lock probably only needs to be removed and lubricated. Furthermore, according to the seller's statements, a soft top snap has come loose – but all three parts are available for assembly, so that the hood of this roadster can be locked perfectly again.

In the cockpit, there are instruments such as those of the W 198 Coupé: 33,580 kilometres can be read from the 5-digit speedometer – according to the current owner, this mileage can be approximately proven by various documents and documents. With the exception of a functionless radio, all instruments and displays in the interior perform their duties without any problems.

The OHC four-cylinder engine of this 190 SL is supplied by 2 carburetors: the 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine delivers 105 hp, the individual gears are engaged via a 4-speed manual transmission. In 2017, the last service work took place, defects in the technology are not known to the seller – the 190 SL runs flawlessly according to the current holder.

There are no complaints to make when looking at the bottom of this Mercedes-Benz. A 190 SL is a noble convertible of solid design and as comfortable as it is safe driving characteristics. The seller of this 190 SL to be auctioned here states that the gearshift and clutch are exceptionally easy to operate. According to the current owner, this 190 SL is also one of the first to be built: more precisely, it is the number 638. Due to this, it still offers the sports seats and other equipment elements, which were later no longer available in the course of the construction period of the 190 SL. The Mercedes-Benz has many spare parts, such as starters, transmissions, alternators, taillights, windscreen wipers, various rubbers and switches, which will of course be given to the future owner of this roadster.

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