Description
1957 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL – UK Supplied | DB334 Hellblau (Light Blue) | Reg: WBJ 77
An exceptional opportunity to acquire a beautifully restored and highly original Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, first registered 10th April 1957, and supplied new to the UK. Presented today in its correct and highly desirable DB334 “Hellblau” (Light Blue), this car combines rarity, provenance and usability in equal measure.
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History & Provenance
The known history of the car stretches back nearly 50 years, adding greatly to its provenance and appeal, including a significant period of single family ownership.
Purchased in the early 1980s by a father and son, the car became a long-term restoration project. Over the decades, they carried out extensive work, carefully preserving the integrity of the car. Period photographs remain on file, including a fantastic early 1980s image showing this car alongside another 190 SL owned by the family—this example still wearing its original DB334 paint at the time.
The car has had just five former keepers, including two within the same family, further supporting its well-preserved and traceable history.
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Provenance & Significance
This is a highly original and historically significant example, supplied new to the UK and presented in its correct factory colour of DB334 Hellblau (Light Blue)—a particularly rare and desirable specification.
Combined with its status as one of just 562 right-hand drive cars produced, this represents a genuinely scarce opportunity to acquire a correct and authentic UK-supplied 190 SL.
The car has had very few owners throughout its life, with a substantial period spent in the hands of a dedicated father-and-son custodianship. Over many years, they carried out a careful and methodical restoration, preserving the integrity and character of the car throughout.
The vehicle only returned to the market due to the unique circumstances surrounding the Covid pandemic, where financial pressures ultimately led to its sale—making this an opportunity that would not ordinarily have arisen.
In a rare and appealing touch, the long-term previous owner remains very fond of the car and would welcome the opportunity to stay in contact with its next custodian, should the new owner wish to do so.
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Restoration & Investment
In 2021, the car was discovered by our Managing Director and purchased as an approximately 80% restored example, then finished in white but already benefiting from a high-quality refurbished tan interior (true to original specification).
A decision was made to return the car to its original factory colour of DB334 Hellblau (Light Blue), despite the existing paintwork in white having been completed to a very high standard. This was not a decision taken lightly, as it involved considerable further expense.
Such was the desirability of the car, a sale had already been agreed before the restoration was even completed. The final stages of the build took approximately a year, with the car ultimately being completed and delivered to its new owner in early 2023 that owner kept it in a purpose-built garage with a carcoon did a number of lengthy journeys and used it very in frequently .
Our Managing Director has since had the opportunity to purchase the car back, and it is now being offered to the market once again.
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Major Works Completed
• Bare-metal repaint carried out in 2019 (finished in white)
• Further bare-metal repaint in 2022 returning the car to its original DB334 Hellblau (Light Blue)
• Over £20, 000 spent on paintwork during final restoration
• Underside fully detailed and inspected (excellent condition)
• Engine bay detailed to a high standard
• New beige hood with restored frame
• Full interior refurbishment with new carpets throughout
• All chrome refurbished/ replaced, including new bumpers
• Original Solex carburettors fully rebuilt (over £2, 000)
• Brand new whitewall tyres (over £1, 300)
Supported by:
• Considerable invoices on file
• Extensive restoration photographs
• Videos documenting the restoration process
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Engine & History File
Within the history file is evidence of an engine rebuild carried out by well-known 190 SL specialist Red Castle Classics of Cardiff. The work was commissioned by a previous owner with the intention of rebuilding the engine using as many original components as possible.
It is understood that the car remains a matching numbers example, further enhancing its desirability and authenticity.
The invoice for this work dates back approximately 20 years and totalled around £7, 000—a significant investment at the time.
The file also contains extensive handwritten notes, timelines of work carried out, and numerous pages documenting maintenance through 2012, demonstrating continued care and attention.
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History File & Supporting Documentation
The car is accompanied by a substantial history file, approximately one inch thick, containing a comprehensive record of its life and restoration.
Within the file is the original Mercedes-Benz data card, along with:
• Numerous invoices from Mercedes-Benz spanning 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018
• Further invoices from 2015 supporting continued maintenance
• A 2019 invoice for a full bare-metal repaint, including lead filling, preparation, etch priming and 2K topcoat
• A large collection of restoration photographs, including those carried out by our Managing Director
• Additional supporting documentation and records throughout
This file clearly demonstrates continuous investment and careful long-term ownership, with a substantial amount of money spent over many years.
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Interior
The car retains its original tan interior specification, which has been fully refurbished to a high standard, presenting beautifully and remaining correct to factory specification.
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Additional Details
• Registration WBJ 77 retained throughout its life
• Very rare original radio still fitted
• Historic tax discs dating back to 1959
Mileage Note:
The previous owner replaced the speedometer during restoration, at which time the original unit showed approximately 40, 000 miles (confirmed in writing). The current reading of just over 1, 100 miles represents the mileage covered since the replacement speedometer was fitted.
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Condition
The car presents beautifully throughout, reflecting the significant investment made.
As part of our preparation, the vehicle is currently undergoing:
• Minor cosmetic paint rectification
• Clutch adjustment
• A further programme of mechanical checks and inspection
Once completed, this will ensure the car is fully sorted and ready for its next owner.
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Rarity & Specification
Out of over 25, 000 190 SLs produced worldwide, only 562 were built in right-hand drive, making genuine UK-supplied cars particularly rare.
Even fewer were finished in DB334 Hellblau (Light Blue)—one of the most elegant and sought-after factory colours.
This example is presented in its original factory specification, further enhancing its desirability and long-term collectability.
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Model Background
First unveiled in 1954 alongside the iconic 300 SL Gullwing, the 190 SL played a key role in Mercedes-Benz’s post-war resurgence. Developed at the request of US importer Maximilian Hoffman, it offered a more accessible yet equally stylish alternative to its racing-derived sibling.
Production continued until 1963, when it was replaced by the 230 SL ‘Pagoda’.
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Summary
A rare and beautifully restored example, offered today at a very competitive price—representing a fraction of the cost required to restore or purchase a comparable car just a few years ago.
With minimal further enhancement, this car could comfortably sit amongst examples achieving £200, 000+, yet as it stands, it is a turn-key, usable and highly desirable classic.
An exceptional Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with provenance, presence and strong investment potential
This vehicle also has on its dashboard details of the original supplying UK dealer. It is an interesting point that that UK dealer was still a trading company right up until last year
This vehicle is soon to be featured in a magazine publication restored by the same team who created the world record 190 Sl in 2021 at Auction which is still the highest selling price 190 Sl in the UK at Auction to date
MERCEDES-BENZ 190 SL
The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is one of the marque’s most elegant and enduringly desirable sports roadsters — a car that perfectly captured the glamour and sophistication of the 1950s. Sharing its unmistakable styling influence with the legendary 300 SL Gullwing, the 190 SL combined timeless design with refined usability, cementing its reputation as one of the era’s most accomplished open-top grand tourers.
This exceptional UK-supplied example was supplied new in 1957 by OB Barnard & Sons of Stowmarket and remains a highly collectible and wonderfully well-documented motor car. Finished in its factory-correct Hell Blau (Light Blue) — a particularly striking and desirable period colour — the car was supplied new in this elegant shade and today presents beautifully, perfectly complementing the graceful styling for which the 190 SL is so admired.
Adding to its provenance, the accompanying history file includes a period photograph of the original supplying dealership, OB Barnard & Sons, a business that remained in operation until only a few years ago — a charming and increasingly rare piece of supporting history.
The car benefits from a fascinating and traceable ownership story, having passed through a small chain of custodians who knew one another. The first owner sold the vehicle to the second, before it passed into the care of its third long-term owner in the late 1970s. Decades later, ownership transferred to his son, during which time the car underwent restoration over a number of years to an impressive standard. During this period, a documented speedometer change was carried out, with the car now understood to have covered approximately 40, 000 miles from new.
In more recent years, the vehicle has benefitted from further recommissioning works together with a full bare-metal repaint, completed several years ago. Having spent a number of years finished in white, it was decided to return the car to its original and far more distinctive factory shade of Hell Blau, restoring the car to the specification in which it was supplied new.
This colour restoration work was undertaken in 2023 by our Managing Director’s respected classic restoration facility — the very same specialists responsible for preparing the record-setting 190 SL sold through H&H Auctions in 2021 for an extraordinary £226, 000, a figure which remains unbeaten for the model.
Presented in beautiful condition throughout, this highly restored example has also recently benefitted from a complete interior refurbishment, leaving the cabin exceptionally well presented and highly complementary to the exterior finish. Mechanically, the original Solex carburettors were professionally refurbished by Classic Carbs several years ago, further demonstrating the level of care and investment this car has received.
A genuine low-mileage, matching-numbers, matching-colours example finished in one of the model’s rarest and most attractive factory shades, this beautifully restored 190 SL represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic post-war sports cars. Sensibly priced within today’s marketplace, multiple photographs are available, and the car is unquestionably well worth close inspection
