- Recent comprehensive detail and servicing
- Becker Mexico radio
- Iconic Mercedes-Benz design
- Beautifully presented in ivory with a luxurious beige interior
LOT 312
Selling on Saturday
1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Much like its 300SL bigger brother, the 190SL was the brainchild of Mercedes-Benz American importer Max Hoffman. Hoffman believed that a smaller, less costly roadster bearing a family resemblance to the more exotic 300SL would prove to be just as successful. In 1954, Mercedes displayed a concept car at the New York Auto Show, a beautiful two-seat roadster with a removable hardtop. This concept came to market in 1955 as the 190SL, a more approachable, less intense sports car compared to the record-breaking 300SL 'Gullwing'. Given the car's popularity upon debuting at the 1954 New York Auto Show and subsequent success throughout its nine-year production run, Hoffman was right.
While the 190SL featured a carbureted 1.9-litre inline four-cylinder engine compared to the 300SL's direct-injected 3-litre slant six, they shared a basic engine design, suspension system, and a level of detail and craftsmanship that defined Mercedes-Benz. The engine with dual Solex carburetors was rated to produce 120 horsepower and was good for a reported top speed of over 105 mph. The 190SL was an effortless cruiser, and its trunk could easily accommodate a weekend's worth of luggage for two. Priced at $3,840 when new, nearly half as much as a 300SL Roadster.
"Very few new sports cars have been so eagerly awaited or so long in coming as the moderately priced SL version of the Mercedes-Benz," observed Road & Track magazine. The 190SL is immediately recognizable as a Mercedes, featuring dramatic curves and thorough yet restrained use of brightwork that defined this era of Mercedes. Many styling cues are borrowed from the 300SL as well, notably the massive three-pointed star in the grille as well as the 'eyebrows' over the wheels. The model was a big hit in the U.S., where a good percentage of the slightly fewer than 26,000 examples produced between 1955 and 1963 found homes.
This very well-kept 190SL Roadster came from a long-term collector who owned it for many years. It is in wonderful condition as a result of its excellent history of maintenance and care. Beautifully presented in ivory with a luxurious beige interior and sitting atop a set of whitewall radial tires, the Roadster stands as a sleek and elegant example from a time gone by that is ready to be driven and enjoyed today.
Benefiting from recent restoration services by Mercedes-Benz professionals, this 190SL has received a comprehensive detail and servicing, including the installation of new brake components, a hydraulic system bleed, professional restoration of the cooling and fuel systems, electrical system diagnostics, re-chroming of the brightwork as needed, along with a full detailing of the roadster's undercarriage. The car comes equipped with a number of desirable features that are sure to please collectors, including full factory instrumentation, an original Becker Mexico radio, and authentic German carpets and top.
Treasured by many enthusiasts for its good looks, usability, and reliability, the 190SL has been a highly sought-after collector car for years, with instantly familiar styling and a pleasurable driving experience for extended touring. This example, handsomely restored by skilled craftsmen, has been well-kept in its present collection, and has much to offer the connoisseur of these charming, eternally popular Mercedes-Benz roadsters.
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