Highlights

Classic silver metallic over black in very good condition
Older ‘nut and bolt’ restoration to very high standard
Work includes engine strip and rebuild in 2014
Current keeper since 2016 covering only 500 miles
UK registered since 1963
Highly presented car that looks a potential show-winner

The Appeal

Glancing through the photos of this glorious W121 190SL, you can just imagine Grace Kelly calmly piloting her own car around the curves and cliffs of the French Riviera’s corniche drives, the sun beating down and, no doubt, her white silk scarf billowing out behind.

These are glamorous, beautiful cars and this example is evocative. It sports one of the best colour combinations, silver metallic over black leather. It is in very good condition thanks to an older restoration that the vendor describes as ‘nut and bolt.’ In 2014 the engine was stripped and rebuilt with invoices to confirm.

The current keeper acquired the car in 2016 and has only covered 500 miles since. That has helped maintain the condition, which is obvious from the photos. The vendor describes it as ‘concours’, and certainly it would attract show visitors like a magnet.

It is a 1956-built car that was first UK registered in 1963. It is factory-standard, with a particularly appealing cabin that retains all the lovely details that set these cars apart from their contemporaries.

The 190SL is one of Stuttgart’s most beautiful cars and this car is one of the best we’ve seen in a while.

History and Paperwork

First registered 1956
Factory built in late 1955, one of 1727 cars produced that year
First UK registered 1st July 1963
Car has spent some time in Canada
Two registered UK keepers
Engine work in 2014 as shown
Photographic record of restoration included as shown
Factory handbook
Current keeper since August 2016
Restored some years ago with ‘nut and bolt’ attention to detail
VIN number 5501729
Vendor has only covered 500 miles since acquiring car

The Condition

Handsome silver metallic paintwork with high end finish following older restoration
Paintwork presents very well in photos with only minor details to note
These include touched-in chips below doors and chips to offside front arch
There are a couple of stone chips to front of car also touched in
Bodywork presents very well across arches, sill and underside
Underside shows well in photos with evidence of fresh undersealing
Bright chromework in great order with flush finish and no notable tarnish
Steel wheels with chrome hub caps in good order showing slight scuffs in photos
Steel spare in boot
White banded 13in tyres appear to be in good order with plenty of remaining tread
Black tonneau as shown
Roof is fitted but we are told the condition is a lower than the rest of the car
Black leather interior with matching black carpets in very good condition
Interior is largely standard apart from classic-style digital radio as shown
Bakelite wheel and other original features retained
Dashboard, door cards, switchgear and trim in great condition

The 190SL was designed as a lightweight, smaller and nimbler version of the big 300SL. But beyond how it drives, this is a superb piece of design. From the sculptural exterior to the beautifully detailed interior, these are cars to delight the eyes.

This car sports the desirable colour scheme of silver metallic over black leather. It is a good choice because it accents the chrome brightwork and, inside, provides a contrast to the extensive detailing.

Inside and out the car is in very good order thanks to that extensive older restoration. It has been little used by the current keeper but stored well, so the signs of age are exceptionally minor. We have highlighted them above for transparency, but really, we’re being very picky when we flag them.

The Mechanics

M121 1,897cc 4cyl 105bhp engine
4spd fully synchromesh manual gearbox
Two twin choke Mikuni carburettors
No reported running or driving issues
Only 500 miles covered by current keeper since 2016

The M121 engine beneath the 190SL’s lengthy bonnet was a four cylinder version of the straight six used in the illustrious 300SL that was good for 105bhp. All cars got a fully synchromesh manual gearbox as a hint to their sporting intent.

This car was extensively restored some years ago before the vendor acquired it in 2016. He has stored it carefully and used it very sparingly. He tells us that it ‘runs lovely’ and we are not aware of any issues for the buyer to pick up on purchase.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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