SLClass photos on Flickr

When the Mercedes-Benz 190SL debuted at the 1954 New York Auto Show, the flashes of glamour shining from the halo 300SL became that little bit more attainable. The 190SL, coded W121, shared its sense of style and several major components with the 300SL supercar, but diverged in two main areas. The 300SL's complex tube-frame chassis was swapped for a more conventional pressed steel monocoque, and the 190SL employed a smaller 1900cc single-cam inline four. The 190SL would always be more of a tourer than a hardcore racer, but priced competitively and offering that hit of post-war serotonin that America was craving, the 190SL was a runaway success. Over 25,000 were built during an eight-year lifespan.

Delivered new in elegant Pearl Grey (colour code DB125) over red leather (code 1079), our vendor purchased this lovely matching numbers example 190SL in 2021 to fulfil a long-held ambition of completing the Mille Miglia, which was done that same year with success. The Datenkart accompanying the car reveals it was delivered new to Los Angeles, USA, and was ordered with a list of options including Perlgrau "Sonderlackierung" - a special and desirable colour.

This190SL remained in the US until 2014, in the long-term ownership of Mr Edwin Kitt. It features the correct Solex twin-barrel carburettors. Presented in lovely condition after a professional restoration that seems to have been carried out a while ago (unfortunately no restoration details or photos are available). The 190SL has been maintained by recognized classic car specialist Phillippe Sybille in Belgium in recent years. Having hardly used the car since the Mille Miglia adventure, the current owner has decided to part with his beautiful 190SL and give the opportunity to its next custodian to participate in "the world's most beautiful race". The documentation includes Belgian registration documents, a current Mille Miglia Registro certificate and of course the Registro badge mounted on the front plate holder, a copy of an old US title, the owner's manual and a copy of the Datenkart confirming the car's original specifications and matching numbers.

SL63 AMG - designo Magno Night Black (056) 7 by Mercedes-Benz USA designo

Mercedes-Benz SL + E + S-Class by q8500e

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2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG (R230) by KGF Classic Cars

SL63 AMG - designo Magno Night Black (056) 6 by Mercedes-Benz USA designo

Mercedes Benz 500SEC AMG WIDE BODY 1984 by q8500e

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DSCN5692 by q8500e

2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG (R230) by KGF Classic Cars

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R107) by SPV Automotive

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Pacific Palisades, CA

Mercedes Benz 500SEC AMG WIDE BODY 1984 by q8500e

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IMG_7742 copy by David Mantilla

SL63 AMG - designo Magno Night Black (056) 4 by Mercedes-Benz USA designo

Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe by Andy2982

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was the first iteration of the SL-Class grand tourer convertibles and fastest production car of its day. Internally numbered W198, it was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors and later offered as an open roadster.

Built by Daimler-Benz AG, the fuel-injected production model was based on the company's highly successful yet somewhat less powerful carbureted 1952 race car, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL (W194).

Seen here at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, Surrey.

SL63 AMG - designo Magno Night Black (056) 5 by Mercedes-Benz USA designo