With its twin-carb 1.9-litre engine and slick transmission, the 190 SL mated robust mechanicals with sumptuous trim and achingly beautiful design to create something truly desirable… and in the modern age, that delectable sports model has evolved into a hugely sought-after collector car. It’s fabulous to behold, charming to drive, and a veritable dream-come-true to own.

The example we have here represents an intriguing opportunity. With values of these models climbing exponentially, this is a chance to get in on the ground floor and make a 190 SL your own. This is a complete and running car, very solid and with a rebuilt engine; all that would be required would be to get the bumpers, door caps and grille re-chromed, and pay some attention to the brakes. If originality is your thing, perhaps losing the red paint and reverting to its original grey/silver. An excellent project for a hobbyist or a professional, this is a car with a massive amount of potential that’s just a few jobs away from being spectacular.
 
 

 

 

 

The 190’s interior sports a very attractive design, with pleasing ergonomics and surprising amount of room. The dash leather has previously been refurbished and the dash itself repainted to match the new body colour. All of the correct dials are present, and the steering wheel is in good condition.  

The seats are good front and rear, with the fronts tilting correctly to allow rear access. Inside the boot it’s all solid and tidy, with the correct matching spare wheel. 

 

This is a well presented example overall, with good door gaps and panel fit and very little visible corrosion aside from a very small patch on the base of the bootlid. The bumpers, door caps and grille could do with re-chroming, but the crucial thing to remember is that all of the correct items are here, there’s no need for parts-hunting – and re-chroming outfits are abundant on the aftermarket. 

The light lenses and window glass are in good order, and the soft-top is very tidy too, and raises, latches and lowers as it should. 
The wheels wear the correct matching hubcaps, and matching Firestone tyres with good tread. 

 

Well, would you take a look at that engine bay? Splendid to behold, with every detail presenting beautifully. And this beauty is way more than skin-deep – the engine fires willingly, idles evenly and revs freely. There’s documentation to show that this engine was rebuilt, and it appears to be in fine order today. 

The brakes are the thing that would require attention here, as the system isn’t working at its optimum. But again, it’s important to note that everything’s present and the car’s rolling freely, so sorting the brakes is just something to stick at the top of the to-do list. 

 

The 190 SL is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful automobiles ever penned, and their popularity is growing rapidly. Values are naturally rising as a consequence, and that’s where this SL comes in: instead of taking the easy option of shelling out six figures for a tip-top 190 SL, here’s an opportunity to spend rather less than that on an outstanding base, and then enjoy the process of lovingly bringing it back to its former glory. Sort the brakes, sort the chrome, perhaps think about a repaint (although that’s by no means a necessity) and you’ll end up with a hugely desirable classic car that has a little bit of your own love and passion interwoven within its story. It’s an intriguing proposition, isn’t it? 

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