Description
Mercedes 190 SL 1961 Exceptional condition - Silver Grey DB 180 bodywork - Red leather interior and dashboard - Silver Grey hard top / Bordeaux soft top. Chassis 121040-10-022186 Engine 121921-10-014498. Originally supplied in France by Royal Élysées. Complete restoration by FM Classicos between 2014 and 2016. An iconic roadster from the German marque, produced from 1955 to 1963, the 190 SL still charms as much as ever! And for good reason: it borrows many elements from the 300 SL, nicknamed “Papillon”, widely regarded as an automotive masterpiece. Driving comfort, elegance and practicality make it today a benchmark in the classic car world. Under the bonnet sits a home-grown four-cylinder engine fed by two Solex 44 PHH carburettors producing 105 hp, making the 190 SL a superb long-distance tourer. Its appeal lies in elegance and refinement rather than outright performance. Delivered new on 01/ 08/ 1961 by the renowned Royal-Elysees dealership in Paris, this car has undergone an outstanding restoration that makes it one of the finest examples on the market today. It has been displayed by restorer FM Classicos and by the Mercedes 190 SL club at Retromobile. The club's vice-president, one of France's leading experts on the model, who had developed a real passion for this car, contributed greatly to its near-concours presentation, supervising the post-purchase work with the current owner. That is what makes it a benchmark on the market. Its key asset? A quality restoration that pays tribute to one of the marque's most notable models of the 1960s. Over two years, it received a complete renewal of the bodywork and chassis, paintwork, full upholstery and electrics. The engine was inspected and checked in 2016, having been rebuilt previously by the former owner. A complete photo file is available to view. Since then, the current owner has maintained it properly, and several items have been further revised and improved: - complete overhaul of the fuel system by B2H in 2018 - braking circuit renewed in 2019 - major service, wheel cylinders, ignition and carburettor tuning at Étoiles Collection in 2020 - routine maintenance and oil change 2026. A compression test was carried out as part of an inspection, confirming the good health of the mechanical components. Today the car presents in a condition close to how it left the factory in 1961! The bodywork is of very high quality with no defects. The soft top is likewise excellent. The red upholstery is exceptionally elegant. The instrumentation is fully functional. As for the engine, meticulous rebuilding and tuning of the original Solex carburettors were carried out to the highest standards, so that no adjustment has been needed for years. The owner has thus preserved the car's originality, avoiding the Weber carburettors, which are thirstier and not original to the car. A sacrilege for true enthusiasts! It is thanks to the in-depth knowledge of the 190 SL Club that this car meets all their standards. For enthusiasts of authentic vehicles, touring motorists and nostalgia lovers of the sixties, this car is for you. Let us not forget that only 26, 000 examples were built and nearly half are still on the road. Choice, certainly, but not unlimited! Viewing by appointment only in Brest / Finistère / Brittany / France. Collector's registration document. Restoration photo file. Expert valuation of €140, 000 in 2022 and 2026. Hard top. Sale due to health reasons. Price: €139, 000, open to negotiation.
