Description
This particular 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, UK right-hand drive, is a superb example that has benefited from extensive restoration and ongoing investment.
The car was purchased in 2018 via a previous vendor at H&H Auctions for £85, 000, requiring restoration. A considerable sum was subsequently invested, and the vehicle was sold again at auction in 2022 for £130, 000.
Since November 2024, a further £20, 000 has been invested by a Ferrari specialist, including a full engine overhaul and a number of additional works. The car has now arrived with us, where we will be attending to some minor paint correction, engine bay detailing, and overall refinement to take the car to the next level.
The restoration is exceptionally well documented, with over 500 photographs covering a three-year period.
Finished in DB172 Anthracite Grey Metallic, with the underside correctly finished in DB168, as per factory specification. The history file includes detailed schedules of work carried out for a previous owner, outlined in part below.
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Restoration Summary (Extract)
• Vehicle stripped to a bare shell
• Removal of drivetrain, front and rear axles, engine, gearbox, engine bay ancillaries, fuel tank, all chrome trim, bumpers, boot lid, doors, bonnet, and windscreen
• Engine shipped to Headshop UK, classic engine specialists and machinists
• Full engine rebuild required due to cracked block and head caused by frozen water
• Replacement block and head sourced in Europe and machined
• New pistons, piston rings, bearing shells, and all gaskets fitted
• Solex carburettors replaced with new Webers
• Original engine block, cylinder head, and Solex carburettors retained with the car for matching numbers status
Interior:
• Interior fully removed
• All leather (seats, door cards, trims) sent to Leather Care for Connollising in factory Berry Red
• Dash clocks and dials removed and rechromed
• Interior floor pan, boot, and engine bay refinished in light stone chip with matt black topcoat, as per factory
• Dash refinished in Anthracite Grey Metallic DB172
• Leather dash roll refinished in Berry Red
Chassis & Running Gear:
• All running gear, subframes, wheels, and engine ancillaries soda blasted and powder-coated in satin black to factory specification
Bodywork:
• Fabrication and remanufacture of floor panels, rear boot panel, and front valance
• Seam sealing and undersealing
• Underside finished in factory colour DB168
• Full paint preparation and panel correction
• Repainted in DB172 Anthracite Grey Metallic
Multiple new parts were sourced throughout the restoration.
The hood fits extremely well and presents as new.
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We anticipate our final works will take approximately three weeks, after which the vehicle will be offered for sale.
With over £150, 000 invested in recent years, including work carried out up to the last few months, we believe £110, 000 represents a very fair and realistic price in today’s market for this UK right-hand-drive Mercedes-Benz 190 SL.
The history file also contains wonderful period photographs and correspondence from the 1960s from a former owner. The car has had only a handful of owners from new and shows a credible 41, 000 miles, although this cannot be verified due to age.
In our opinion, this is a perfect purchase to acquire now, put away until spring, and then enjoy. With fully restored examples currently advertised online at in excess of £250, 000, this car—having benefited from extensive, high-quality restoration and remaining highly usable—represents excellent value at this level
