Mercedes 190 SL Roadster - 1960
W121
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2019
Estimated : € 160.000 - 190.000
The 190SL was the vision of Max Hoffman, U.S. importer for Mercedes-Benz.
Hoffman wanted to capitalize on the success of the 300SL, a highly visible model that would bring the Mercedes-Benz marque much attention but was so expensive that it would amount to relatively few sales. At Hoffman's suggestion, Mercedes-Benz developed the 190SL on the W120 series 180 sedan chassis and announced it at the 1954 New York Auto Show as a prototype along with the road-going 300SL. It took about a year for the 190SL to appear at dealers.
SL stands for "Sports Leicht" but the 190SL was neither a sports car nor particularly light at 1160 kg. It was, on the other hand, aerodynamically efficient, comfortable and undeniably handsome, supplying a need apparent in America, its intended primary market, where two-seaters like the Thunderbird were appreciated as second cars for a growing middle class able to afford personal transportation even at the 190SL's generous price of just over $5,000 at the time.
The engine is a single overhead camshaft 1,897cc four-cylinder with a pair of Solex 44 PHH twin choke side draught carburetors and 8.8:1 compression ration that raised the output to 105 DIN horsepower, double that of the 180 sedan upon which it was based, and enough to give the little two-seater a top speed of 171 kph.
4-wheel drum brakes, conventional doors, leather seats and an improved single-pivot swing axle rear suspension complemented its conception for cruising rather than competing. As he so many times demonstrated, Max Hoffman's understanding of the right cars for the U.S. market was on target and the 190SL sold well even in mid-Fifties Europe. More than 26,000 190SLs were produced between 1955 and 1963, outselling the expensive 300SL by about eight to one.
Hoffman and Mercedes-Benz continued to develop the 190SL, during production offering removable hard tops in two styles (small and large rear windows) and accommodations for a third passenger in the tonneau with a side-facing accessory seat to widen its appeal. Features like the wheel well "eyebrows" linked it directly to its larger and more famous stablemate, the 300SL.
The 190SL has stood the test of time well. The characteristics of simplicity, reliability, styling, design and comfort that made it popular in the Fifties continue to resonate well with later generations. Mercedes-Benz style and quality have remained valued attributes. While a 190SL was half the price of a 300SL Roadster in the Fifties, today it is even more approachable at one-eighth the ticket of a 300SL Roadster in comparable condition.
Purchased by its present British collector owner as a restored car in 2014, this 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL is distinctively liveried in crisp black paint with attractively contrasting green leather upholstery, matching interior trim and a black cloth top.
It has had only five owners from new, the first two of whom, Drs. Thieden and Hansel in Germany, retained it for a total of 48 years. Dr. Hansel had it restored by renowned specialist Esdar Classic Cars in Bielefeld, Germany in 1990. The quality of Esdar Classic Cars' work is evident in its condition, nearly a decade after it was completed.
Since its acquisition it has been carefully and consistently maintained in the owner's own fully equipped shop and climate controlled facility staffed with highly experienced, trained and skilled technicians. Regularly started and attended to as needed to maintain it in ready-to-use condition, it is nearly pristine.
Equipment includes Marchal headlights, bumper overriders, colour-keyed hubcaps on factory wheels with understated blackwall tires, heater and a period multi-band radio.
The body panels are particularly attractive, evenly matched and displaying continuous, undistorted fit from front to rear. The engine compartment and chassis are essentially like new without undue embellishment. The chrome is bright and crisp, the upholstery and interior trim are taut and fresh. The top fits accurately and tightly, with good window and door seals. It has covered less than 15,000km since the restoration. Important and sometimes overlooked details such as the unblemished steering wheel rim, crisp instruments and bright interior chrome attest to its quality and consistent care.
In 1960 it would have been a second car for a successful professional or businessman, and it is so today, needing only a new owner to enjoy and experience it on the road or around town.
Mercedes 190 SL Roadster - 1960
W121
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2019
Estimated : € 160.000 - 190.000
The 190SL was the vision of Max Hoffman, U.S. importer for Mercedes-Benz.
Hoffman wanted to capitalize on the success of the 300SL, a highly visible model that would bring the Mercedes-Benz marque much attention but was so expensive that it would amount to relatively few sales. At Hoffman's suggestion, Mercedes-Benz developed the 190SL on the W120 series 180 sedan chassis and announced it at the 1954 New York Auto Show as a prototype along with the road-going 300SL. It took about a year for the 190SL to appear at dealers.
SL stands for "Sports Leicht" but the 190SL was neither a sports car nor particularly light at 1160 kg. It was, on the other hand, aerodynamically efficient, comfortable and undeniably handsome, supplying a need apparent in America, its intended primary market, where two-seaters like the Thunderbird were appreciated as second cars for a growing middle class able to afford personal transportation even at the 190SL's generous price of just over $5,000 at the time.
The engine is a single overhead camshaft 1,897cc four-cylinder with a pair of Solex 44 PHH twin choke side draught carburetors and 8.8:1 compression ration that raised the output to 105 DIN horsepower, double that of the 180 sedan upon which it was based, and enough to give the little two-seater a top speed of 171 kph.
4-wheel drum brakes, conventional doors, leather seats and an improved single-pivot swing axle rear suspension complemented its conception for cruising rather than competing. As he so many times demonstrated, Max Hoffman's understanding of the right cars for the U.S. market was on target and the 190SL sold well even in mid-Fifties Europe. More than 26,000 190SLs were produced between 1955 and 1963, outselling the expensive 300SL by about eight to one.
Hoffman and Mercedes-Benz continued to develop the 190SL, during production offering removable hard tops in two styles (small and large rear windows) and accommodations for a third passenger in the tonneau with a side-facing accessory seat to widen its appeal. Features like the wheel well "eyebrows" linked it directly to its larger and more famous stablemate, the 300SL.
The 190SL has stood the test of time well. The characteristics of simplicity, reliability, styling, design and comfort that made it popular in the Fifties continue to resonate well with later generations. Mercedes-Benz style and quality have remained valued attributes. While a 190SL was half the price of a 300SL Roadster in the Fifties, today it is even more approachable at one-eighth the ticket of a 300SL Roadster in comparable condition.
Purchased by its present British collector owner as a restored car in 2014, this 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL is distinctively liveried in crisp black paint with attractively contrasting green leather upholstery, matching interior trim and a black cloth top.
It has had only five owners from new, the first two of whom, Drs. Thieden and Hansel in Germany, retained it for a total of 48 years. Dr. Hansel had it restored by renowned specialist Esdar Classic Cars in Bielefeld, Germany in 1990. The quality of Esdar Classic Cars' work is evident in its condition, nearly a decade after it was completed.
Since its acquisition it has been carefully and consistently maintained in the owner's own fully equipped shop and climate controlled facility staffed with highly experienced, trained and skilled technicians. Regularly started and attended to as needed to maintain it in ready-to-use condition, it is nearly pristine.
Equipment includes Marchal headlights, bumper overriders, colour-keyed hubcaps on factory wheels with understated blackwall tires, heater and a period multi-band radio.
The body panels are particularly attractive, evenly matched and displaying continuous, undistorted fit from front to rear. The engine compartment and chassis are essentially like new without undue embellishment. The chrome is bright and crisp, the upholstery and interior trim are taut and fresh. The top fits accurately and tightly, with good window and door seals. It has covered less than 15,000km since the restoration. Important and sometimes overlooked details such as the unblemished steering wheel rim, crisp instruments and bright interior chrome attest to its quality and consistent care.
In 1960 it would have been a second car for a successful professional or businessman, and it is so today, needing only a new owner to enjoy and experience it on the road or around town.