Desirable Getrag five-speed 'dog-leg' manual gearbox recently overhauled with new clutch
Lived a pampered life in the favourable climes of Italy
Comprehensive history file including Italian documentation and original brochures
Professionally resprayed in factory Schwartzblau (MB 199) with G-technic ceramic coating
Reunited with exact factory specification Becker Grand Prix radio in 2023
Vendor is happy to have any inspection of the car by a potential buyer and happy to arrange a local lift inspection
The Appeal
The ultimate 'Q Car' of its era, the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 hails from a fascinating period in motorsport history. Developed in collaboration with Cosworth after Mercedes abandoned their World Rally Championship ambitions in favour of the DTM German Touring Car Championship, this unsuspecting super saloon rose to prominence with a young Ayrton Senna at the wheel.
'Win on Sunday, sell on Monday', the old mantra goes, and indeed Mercedes-Benz did very well with road-going Homologation Specials of its world-beating touring car.
This 1985 example stands out as an early factory-ordered car delivered new to Italy, maintaining its rare original status while benefiting from thoughtful maintenance and preservation. The car's Blue-Black Metallic finish complements its subtle performance credentials - a true "hooligan in a suit" with no exterior Cosworth badging.
Having been imported from Northern Italy in 2022, this 190E has been carefully maintained with recent mechanical work including a gearbox overhaul, new clutch, and various Mercedes-Benz components, making it a compelling example of this increasingly collectable performance saloon.
The vendor says:
"Launched at Nürburgring on 12th May 1984, (my partner’s birthday, so for us it was meant to be). An unknown Ayrton Senna doggedly drove the winning car at an exhibition race of 20 examples that day. This model was to bring Mercedes in to the World Rally Championship. Although a certain 4WD Audi ceased that ambition and led instead to an entry in the DTM German Touring Car Championship.
"Developed with the prestigious UK tuning company, Cosworth. The twin overhead cam block produces 185 bhp pushed out through the rear wheels. The petite W201 body being the perfect lightweight pairing for this beast. She has an elaborate self-leveling hydraulic rear suspension set-up, giving ultra sharp handling.
"Asked what we love most about this car we would answer, the drive, the manual box, the sound, the time capsule condition and originality. The drive is so engaging and rewarding, yet it is easy to live with on a daily commute also. We have been fascinated by how strongly its boxy looks appeal to a much younger generation, often creating a huddle of 12 years and under at Cars and Coffee meets and shows. Kids seem to love it! We understand versions appear on Gran Turismo and various other games, and we noted it’s appearance in the Need for Speed movie. Perhaps this explains the intoxication of a whole new generation with this icon."
Originally ordered directly from factory to Italy in 1985 and imported from Northern Italy in May 2022
Completed NCT (National Car Test) roadworthiness test
History folder contains Italian documents (Certificato Di Revisione, Automotoclub Storico Italiano Certificate, Carta Di Circolazione), original brochures, adverts, technical data sheets, and records of expenditure and works completed
Stored in temperature-controlled, dehumidified garage under fitted Richmond Indoor Car Cover
Used sparingly but has completed several long drives
Exhibited at Johnstown Castle (2023), South East Technical University (2024)
Participated in Deja-Vu Cork (2023) and The Supercar Show, Dublin (August 2024)
The vendor says:
"After a long and varied run of classics, this has likely been our favourite. We imported this factory original example from a dealer in Northern Italy in May 2022. This followed a long search to add this model to our Mercedes collection, most examples being ruled out due to poor condition, corrosion or visible repairs. Having been ordered directly from the factory to Italy in 1985, and having led a very pampered life, in the perfect climate, this example had no such issues. It has the desirable Getrag manual dogleg gearbox. This has 1st left and down, below reverse, and allows a direct fast shift between 2nd and 3rd, this car's power sweet spot.
"The car had benefited from a very high standard respray in 2021 in the original Schwartzblau (MB 199). The blemish free paint encouraged us to engage a professional detailer and have the paint prepared and protected in 2022 with G-Technic ceramic coating.
The car has completed its rigorous NCT (National Car Test) road worthiness test, which remains valid. It has had steering damper and track road ends updated prior to this. It wears the excellent Continental Premium Contact 2 tyres (205/55 R15) on the original Gullideckel 16 inch wheels, which have been professionally powder-coated to as new finish prior to our purchase.
"Recently the car developed the characteristic hesitancy to engage 1st when selecting it on the Getrag Dog-leg gearbox. Being perfectionists, this led us to having the gearbox removed as a precaution, and having it thoroughly overhauled by a specialist. Although not required, the opportunity was taken to fit a new clutch. Pressure tests indicated diminished function from the Slave Cylinder, so this was also replaced. The gear selector mechanism was also adjusted, and all reservoir caps replaced. The car now, once again, drives beautifully, allowing full benefit from the unique selection style of the Getrag box. Reassuringly, this work was all completed earlier this summer, when the car was also thoroughly inspected in all other areas, and given a clean bill of health. The only issue was getting our mechanic to hand it back, as he fell in love a little!
"The history folder holds various Italian documents including the Certificato Di Revisione, Automotoclub Storico Italiano Certificate and the Carta Di Circolazione. There are original brochures, adverts and technical data sheets and records of expenditure and works completed.
"The car is stored in a temperature controlled and dehumidified garage, under a fitted Richmond Indoor Car Cover. It was invited to Johnstown Castle in 2023 to exhibit, and this year, to a display at the South East Technical University. It was also a proud and admired participant of Deja-Vu Cork in 2023, for a tribute to rally diver Billy Coleman. It was for this event that she had her custom ‘Coleman’s of Millstreet’ rear dealer sticker made. It was displayed at The Supercar Show, Dublin, in August 2024.
"In our ownership she has been used sparingly but is no stranger to long drives, having completed several trips from Waterford to Dublin and Cork this year and occasionally being used as a work commute vehicle on sunny days. A testament to build quality and reliability of the model, and more specifically, the nature of this example. Such use, 40 years after leaving Mercedes, reminds one of how well made these models are, as attested to by the gruelling pre-production tests and the record breaking distance runs completed in the 1980’s. These included a World record for the fastest lap for a 4 door production car at Nurburgring in 1983, and covering 50,000km in 201 hours, with an average speed 247 km/h at Nardo in Italy.
"We are active Mercedes-Benz Club members and enthusiasts. This Cosworth has been part of a collection that has included a W140 600SEL V12, a W124 E500, R129 SLs, an R107, a W463 G Wagen, a Toyota 80 series and 90 series Landcruiser, a Chevrolet K 1500, several S124 estates, a W111 Coupe, and a Honda NSX."
VIN information:
VIN WDB2010341F131141
Model 190 E 2.3-16
Engine 102983 10 007488
Transmission 717404 00 007151
Order Number 0 5 543 19494
Order Location ITALY
Interior LEATHER ANTHRACITE (271)
Paint 1 BLUE-BLACK - METALLIC PAINT (199U)
Approx. Build Date 1985-07
Code Description
341 Factory Fitted Additional Blinker Lamps, as per early models
466 Central Locking Mechanism
504 Outside Rearview Mirror, Right
Electrically Controlled
L.H.D.
586 Behr Air Conditioner, And Electric Window Regulators Front And Rear Doors
Characteristic rasp from factory-correct MB exhaust
SLS suspension working properly with a refreshed factory sticker on the reservoir
Battery replaced with MB piece and maintained on trickle charger
New clutch installed during gearbox work
Slave cylinder replaced
Gear selector mechanism adjusted
All reservoir caps replaced
Steering damper and track road ends updated
Uses almost exclusively Mercedes-Benz components
Self-leveling hydraulic rear suspension
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