The sheer beauty and elegance of this car are beyond compare. Mercedes of this period are highly sought after, particularly the large engined ‘Gull Wing’ 300SL. But don’t let the larger and much more expensive 300 put the little 4-cylinder 190 in the shade. The 190SL is no shrinking violet and has an awful lot to offer, with gorgeous styling and a sprightly 2.1 engine. This is a true sporting Mercedes with more than enough spirit to be driven on today’s roads.

This delightful car has spent a good proportion of its life in the USA, where in the early 1990s, it undertook a substantial restoration before being sold and exported to a new owner in the UK. Originally finished in grey, the scheme is now a pretty pale metallic blue with a matching interior and mohair hood, finished to a high quality that still looks good all these years later. 

There is paperwork evidence of the engine rebuild in 2015, along with copious amounts of invoices showing the purchase of many original parts from Germany. There is, of course, a current V5c, which shows just 1 previous owner after importation and the car is naturally exempt from needing an MOT certificate. 

The bright and airy interior is dominated by the beautiful ivory-coloured steering wheel and the three-pointed silver star in its centre. It is original and enforces the vehicle’s pedigree and age, as well as looking so darn good. The instruments are large and clear and are original to the car to the best of anyone’s knowledge. The seats have been re-upholstered in a harmonising blue which are plump and comfortable, although with very little side support. 

The whole cockpit oozes quality and luxury without being fussy. Everything seems to work as it should, and all the switches have a nice reassuring feel to them. The matching blue hood is in lovely condition and is a more recent upgrade. It folds away with minimal effort and has a nice clear rear plastic window. It looks good with the roof up but looks absolutely stunning with it down.

This car is a sight to behold with those wonderful curves and trademark overarch lips that are so indicative of the SL range of the late 50s and 60s. The pale blue paint really accentuates those lines that are highlighted further with some deftly placed chrome. The paintwork has stood the test of time as it is in lovely condition and has an excellent depth of colour and shine. The chrome is also in good condition, with only a few items that the current owner has deemed necessary to replace. 

The wheels have been kept in period with a set of 13-inch steels, each with a colour-coded hubcap and embellisher and a good quality tyre with plenty of tread on each rim. The doors open and close with ease, and just as you’d expect from Mercedes, they have a satisfying clunk with near-perfect shut lines. The car has not been raised for inspection, but the photographs taken at ground level indicate that the underside has been thoroughly treated with anti-corrosion coating.

The engine is the heart and soul of this sublime grand tourer, and this one has benefitted from an extensive rebuild in 2015 by Sheffield Engine Services. At this time, the carburation was enhanced by fitting a pair of Weber 45 DCOE carburettors that not only enhance the appearance of the engine bay but delivers that sensual induction roar when you prod the throttle. 

The paperwork also indicates that the SL has been well maintained since arriving in the UK, with plenty of invoices for servicing, parts and tuning. The standard 4-speed gearbox is still in place and works perfectly well, although a couple of minutes of practice with gear selection first is recommended as there is a little play in the bushes. Something I’m sure can be remedied, but I like it the way it is as it adds charm to the very analogue experience.

 What more can you say about such a beautiful Mercedes? It has all the looks and style from the halcyon days of car design. It has had a good quality restoration in the past and since then has enjoyed regular maintenance and attention with minimal mileage added. Kept by one owner for 20 years and always dry stored, this car still looks fresh and is ready to be enjoyed. 

Not made in great numbers, with only around 25,000 built, this is not a common car to be found roaming our roads in the wild, so if you can see yourself cruising the sun-baked roads of Nice or maybe just Bolton high street in a real head turner of a car, then I’d suggest moving pretty quickly, I think there might be quite a lot of interest.

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*