Beschreibung
190 SL Roadster in red, black leather interior — Exceptional mechanical history
Some cars don’t just pass through time; they embody it. Unveiled at the 1954 New York Motor Show alongside its big sister, the legendary 300 SL “Gullwing”, the 190 SL brought Stuttgart’s elegance and refinement to a roadster that was genuinely accessible to gentleman drivers. Designed by Walter Häcker under the direction of Karl Wilfert, it remains today one of the purest silhouettes of the 1950s — and one of the safest investments on the classic car market.
Plethore Cars is delighted to present this superb 1959 example, in the most sought-after combination: red bodywork, black leather interior and a beige hood.
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The car
This 190 SL (Type W121, chassis no. 9500520) was first registered on 1 January 1959. It now shows approximately 52, 600 km on the odometer and presents in excellent overall condition, thanks to a no-expense-spared restoration programme carried out between 2023 and 2026: more than €24, 000 in invoices from recognised marque specialists documents every job.
Under the bonnet, the 1. 9-litre four-cylinder unit with dual Solex 44 PHH carburettors runs as sweetly as it did when it left the factory: in 2026 both carburettors were completely rebuilt by a specialist, the ignition was set up on a test rig, and the gearbox was replaced with a fully overhauled unit fitted with a new clutch in 2025. A car ready to be enjoyed—its mechanical side with nothing left to hide.
Work history (invoices on file)
2023 — Structural restoration and re-trimming
- Supply of replacement panels for the rear wings and wheel arches, body gaskets, hoses, window regulators, a complete set of Haargarn looped carpets (SL Service Euro Trading, Mercedes classics specialist — approx. €7, 500 in parts)
- New windscreen (faithful reproduction of the original) with gaskets
- Rebuilding the trim: full re-covering of the dashboard and leather door panel fabrication in black by an upholsterer (JMC Sellerie)
- Refurbishment of the cooling radiator, original thermostat housing, bleeding of the cooling and brake circuits, adjustment of the carburettors and cold-start controls, extended road test (Retro Asphalte)
2024 — Routine servicing
- Oil change, oil filter, general inspection in workshop
2025 — Major mechanical rebuild
- Full rework of both carburettors: complete dismantling, ultrasonic cleaning, gaskets, new accelerator pumps and new jets, ignition overhaul, compression test
- Gearbox replaced with a fully overhauled unit fitted with 4 new bearings
- New complete clutch on an exchange basis: pressure plate, driven plate, release bearing and flex plate
- New front brake shoes and front master cylinder, new front wheel bearings
- Complete ignition loom, distributor head, rocker cover gasket, oil change (Yacco 15W50)
- Idle speed adjustment and rectification of a fuel leak (Walter Automobiles)
2026 — Final reliability
- Replacement of the fuel gauge and restoration of the electrical connections
- Complete reconditioning of both Solex 44 PHH carburettors by a specialist (€1, 860), refitting with new rebuild kits
- Replacement of fuel and heater hoses, tank drained and bled
- New spark plugs, points and condenser; distributor checked and set up on the test bench
- Freeing off and deglazing of the rear brakes, left-hand exterior mirror replaced.
