Description
The Millbrook Sale | Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire
Viewing: Saturday 9th May 2026 from 12pm
Auction: Sunday 10th May 2026
Location: Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford MK45 2JH
1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E
LHD - No Reserve
Registration No: C937 VPM
Chassis No: WDB2010241A313888
MOT: T. B. A.
Supplied new to a British diplomat stationed in Germany and imported by him to the UK during 1993
Retained by the first owner and his family until 2021 when it passed to the current registered keeper
Main dealer maintained in Germany and the UK up to 112, 304KM and understood to have been serviced twenty-nine times
Warranted 121, 250KM (circa 75, 600 miles) from new
Pleasingly retains its period Becker stereo and factory fitted sunroof
A real timewarp
Mercedes-Benz spent some eight years and £600 million developing its W201 saloon. The result was a car that even its maker described as ‘massively over engineered’ and which revived the ‘190’ moniker. Launched at the December 1982 Paris Salon, the newcomer offered a class leading ride / handling balance thanks to its patented rear five-link suspension (subsequently used on the marque’s E- and C-class models), front / rear anti-roll bars and anti-dive / anti-squat geometry. Styled in-house by Bruno Sacco, the ‘baby Benz’ was handsome and aerodynamically efficient. Initially powered by a 2-litre SOHC four-cylinder petrol engine in carburettor ‘190’ or fuel-injected ‘190E’ guises, the W201 could later be had with straight-six, Cosworth tuned DOHC and diesel motors. Buyers could choose between manual or automatic transmission with airbags, seatbelt tensioners and ABS being standardised over time. Hailing from the ‘bank vault’ era of Mercedes-Benz build quality, the 190 remained in production until 1993 achieving almost 1. 9 million sales. A landmark design for the three-pointed star the five-seater saloons are wonderfully evocative of the 1980s but more than capable on today’s roads.
Supplied new to a British diplomat whilst he was stationed in Germany, chassis A313888 pleasingly retains its original order form and bill of sale. Finished in special order Anthracite Grey Metallic, the Mercedes-Benz’s build specification also included a sunroof, Beige cloth upholstery, Becker Europa stereo, foldout rear armrest, central locking, ABS brakes, front / rear headrests, 2-litre fuel-injected engine and five-speed manual transmission. Imported to the UK by its first owner during 1993, the 190E remained in his family’s possession until 2021 when it passed to the current (third) registered keeper. Main dealer maintained in Germany and the UK up to 112, 304KM (c. 70, 000 miles), the saloon currently displays some 121, 250KM (c. 75, 600 miles) and is understood to have been serviced twenty-nine times. Recalibrated for unleaded and treated to a new clutch at 117, 149km (c. 73, 000 miles), ‘C937 VPM’ is expected to possess a fresh MOT certificate by the time of sale. Like BMW’s E30 3-Series, the Mercedes-Benz 190E now commands something of a cult following. Well suited to Continental usage, this special order and notably well-preserved LHD example is offered for sale with V5C and voluminous 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).
