Descripción
UTAC | Millbrook, Bedford
Viewing: Tues 24th June from 12pm
Auction: Wed 25th June from 9am
Location: Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford MK45 2JQ
1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
Supplied new to Richard Boyle, Ninth Earl of Shannon
Estimate
£120, 000 - £140, 000
Registration No: DUC 176
Chassis No: 121042-20-016116
MOT: Exempt
One of just 562 cars built across all right-hand drive markets
Supplied new to Richard Boyle, Ninth Earl of Shannon who took it off the road in the mid-1970s
Dry stored for three decades and subsequently treated to a four-year, photographically documented, bare metal restoration
Understood to have covered just 39, 900 miles from new (with supporting correspondence from previous keepers)
Matching chassis, body and engine numbers and previously fettled by marque specialists Hilton & Moss and Roger Edwards
Comes complete with copy factory order form, history file and hardtop
The 190SL was introduced in 1955 – the year Mercedes swept all before it on the Mille Miglia with the 300SLR. Indeed, the graceful 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 round. 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. The 190SL continued in production until 1963, when both it and the 300SL were replaced by the 230SL (W113). By this time 25, 881 190SLs had been produced, of which just 562 were right-hand drive examples.
According to its accompanying paperwork, chassis 121042-20-016116 was ordered on November 20th 1959 but not completed to right-hand drive, UK market specification until February 18th 1960 (a corollary of how much hand finishing each 190SL required). Despatched to Mercedes-Benz GB’s headquarters on the Great West Road in London, the Roadster was supplied new to a prominent member of British high society, Richard Bentnick Boyle, who was memorably described thus: ‘Blessed with so many aristocratic titles that he started selling a few to wealthy Americans, the Ninth Earl of Shannon; Viscount Boyle, Baron of Castle-Martyr, Co. Cork; and Baron Carleton of Yorkshire, came from the bluest of blue-blooded stock. He was born into the pomp and luxury of the Indian Raj and served as a page at the coronation of George VI. After Eton, he joined the Irish Guards, rising to the rank of captain, and in 1947 married glamorous Italian Caterina Imperiali di Francavilla’. Appearing in no fewer than twenty-seven artworks held by the National Portrait Gallery, the Ninth Earl of Shannon bought the 190SL whilst married to Susan Margaret Rogers Boyle and is assumed to have used it at both his Irish and English estates. Taken off the road during 1975 at 38, 431 recorded miles, the Roadster remained in the hereditary peer’s possession for over forty years. Assessed by marque specialist Blue Star Enterprises in 2004, they commented as follows: ‘Overall, the vehicle is in sound condition . . . The vehicle has a very straight body and stands well . . . I have no reason to doubt the speedometer reading on the general condition of the vehicle . . . The engine started first time and shows no sign of smoke . . . it was run for several minutes and maintained maximum oil pressure’.
Bought by Mercedes-Benz collector C. Mina Esq. thereafter, he subjected chassis 121042-20-016116 to a photographically documented, bare metal, four-year long restoration. Finished in what is arguably the marque’s most iconic shade for a ‘Sliver Arrow’ DB180, the Roadster was re-trimmed in Red leather with correct Boucle-style carpets and a Black mohair hood. The accompanying hardtop was refurbished and painted to match the body. Pleasingly retaining its factory-fitted engine (number 121921-20-016233), the unit in question was uprated with twin Weber carburettors by renowned marque specialist Roger Edwards (Motors) of Wembley. Passing to its last registered keeper some ten years ago, the 190SL was entrusted to acknowledged marque specialist Hilton & Moss during November 2018 at 39, 597 recorded miles for attention to its fuel, coolant and brake systems. The associated bill totalled circa £9, 000 and also encompasses suspension, gearbox mount and steering fettling. Most recently, the car has benefited from engine bay detailing and minor cosmetic improvements at the hands of 1st Choice Bodyworks of Oxfordshire; the same company that refurbished the right-hand drive 190SL with which we set a new world auction record price of 220, 000 in November 2021.
Doubtless host to a string of famous faces during its early years, this gorgeous, matching chassis, engine and body numbers, RHD 190SL is worthy of close inspection. Given its rarity, condition, low mileage and factory hardtop, ‘DUC 176’ surely deserves space in a marque collection. Offered for sale at considerably less than the cost of a comparable renovation today, it is accompanied by a V5C Registration Document and history file.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
