Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
13th March, 2024 13:00
1963 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
Estimate
£70, 000 - £90, 000
Registration No: KGJ 206A
Chassis No: the details below
MOT: Exempt
- A very solid, usable example that has been maintained to a high standard with the opportunity to improve
- Comprehensively overhauled in the 1990s with a photographic record on file
- Subject to a thorough mechanical and cosmetic tidy-up in 2022 with a bill for £9, 968
- Imported into the United Kingdom from the USA in 1993
The 190SL was introduced in 1955 – the year Mercedes swept all before it on the Mille Miglia with the 300SLR. Indeed, the graceful, new two-door, convertible grand tourer was sold alongside the road-going version of the SLR – the 300SL - whose styling it strongly resembled. In fact, the underpinnings of the two cars were quite different and, while the 300SL had a purpose-built tubular spaceframe (W198), its smaller sibling was built on a shortened version of the ‘Ponton’ saloon (W121) platform, which was of monocoque construction. The 190SL also boasted an all-new engine - an over-square SOHC straight-four unit of 1897cc that produced some 120bhp, which was sufficient to propel the car to a maximum speed of 112mph. The engine was coupled to a manual four-speed gearbox. The suspension comprised double wishbones and coil springs at the front and a coil-sprung swing axle at the rear. Steering was by recirculating ball and braking by power-assisted drums all around.
Built to the highest standards and among the quickest comparable cars of the time, the 190SL featured a well-appointed cockpit, notable comfort for its occupants and relatively generous luggage space. Under the circumstances, even the steep asking price of £2, 693 did nothing to deter purchasers. Options included a third seat placed transversely behind the front ones which was big enough to carry an adult. The 190SL continued in production until 1963 when both it and the 300SL were replaced by the 230SL (W113), by which time 25, 881 190SLs had been produced.
Understood to have been sold into the U. S market new in the 190SL's final year of production in 1963, chassis the details below is understood to have spent much of its life in the sunny climes of Florida, owned by a lady named Ms. Weeks until it was found and moved to New York City after being purchased on behalf of a Mr Nicholas of Deodar Road, London, UK by Ms. G Hithcock in early 1993 and there are US titles in the history file to confirm this and the car was then shipped to London immediately afterward. It is understood that around this time, the car was completely stripped for a ground-up overhaul into the attractive colour combination of Red with Black Leather interior that the car presents in today.
On inspection, the car still presents very well and has evidently been subject to an extensive body overhaul which has held up very well, with the Red paint appearing bright although now aged, with small signs of micro-blistering having appeared on the tops of the wings. The Black leather interior appears very original as it has matured very well in line with the age of the car, with the original Ivory steering wheel also charmingly patinated. The car has been trimmed with a good-looking Black mohair hood that perfectly suits the car and comes with an original hard top in body colour. The vendor has advised that mechanically, the car is in 'good' health with a noticeably easy start thanks to a set of Weber 40 DCOE Carburettors replacing the original Solex PHH44's. The tyres appear to be relatively fresh and on our inspection all controls selected easily, the vendor commenting that all components appear to work both mechanically and electrically.
Now, this rather charming car presents the perfect opportunity to use and improve or have a car that stands out from the usual concourse queens. These 190SL's are one of the most useable and reliable classic cars in their class and this car would be a fantastic candidate for long continental tours without worrying too much about a small blemish!
