Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible, 1957
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL R121
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL R121•
•19 views
Chassis No.: 7500732
Auction: Monterey 2025
Auction date: August 16, 2025
Lot No.: S127
$123,750 | Sold
- Odometer: 22,625 miles
- Engine: Inline 4-cylinder
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior: Black
- Interior: Rosser Red
- Body: Convertible
- Professional nut and bolt restoration completed from June 2022 to December 2023 by Steve Crowley Motorcars with guidance from Will Samples at S&S Imports
- Estimated 925 hours invested in restoration
- Original matching numbers 1897cc/120 HP inline 4-cylinder engine
- Dual Weber carburetors
- 4-speed manual gearbox
- Engine, transmission and rear end have been rebuilt
- New soft top and frame
- Restoration notes and partial parts list included
- Black Glassurit finish with Rosser Red leather interior and Black canvas top
- Restored undercarriage including fuel tank and fender wells with correct colors
- Detailed engine compartment with proper refinishing of components and correct badges and decals
- Original spare wheel, jack and lug wrench
Introduced at the 1954 New York International Motor Sport Show alongside the 300SL Gullwing, the 190SL was the brainchild of famed U.S. Mercedes-Benz importer Max Hoffman. Similar in appearance to the 300SL yet less complex and costly, the 190SL was a pure road model without racing pretensions. Featuring lightweight aluminum for the hood, doors and rear decklid, the 190SL was styled by Walter Hacker and his design team under the direction of Mercedes-Benz design head Karl Wilfert. Among the 190SL’s designers was a young Paul Bracq, soon to become Mercedes-Benz’s head of design responsible for the 230/250/280SL and 600 models yet to come.
Rigid monocoque construction, roll-up windows and an available aluminum hardtop were other highlights. Fritz Nallinger led 190SL engineering, using robust and well-proven mechanicals sourced from the contemporary “Ponton” line, with power delivered by a SOHC 1.9L “four” mounting twin Solex carburetors and producing 105 HP. Other highlights included a 4-speed manual gearbox, fully independent suspension and 4-wheel, power-assisted “Alfin” drum brakes, plus a snug folding top and roll-up windows. Internally designated W121, the production 190SL debuted at Geneva in 1955. An immediate success, the 190SL earned design awards in Holland, Switzerland and at France’s Grand Prix d’Elegance.
Limited competition use included overall victory ahead of a Ferrari Mondial at the 1956 Macao Grand Prix and a class win at Casablanca. This captivating 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL is the product of a professional nut-and-bolt restoration with an estimated 925 hours invested from June 2022 to December 2023 by Steve Crowley Motorcars with guidance from marque expert Will Samples at S&S Imports. Power is delivered by the original, matching-numbers 1897cc/120 HP inline 4-cylinder engine with dual carburetors that’s paired to a 4-speed manual gearbox. The engine, transmission, rear end and brake booster have all been rebuilt.
Visual highlights include the black Glasurit paint finish, Roser surface-dyed red leather upholstery and the new black canvas top and underlying top frame. The restored undercarriage includes attention to the fuel tank and fender wells with the correct colors. The detailed engine compartment features properly refinished components, correct badges and decals, and new hoses and factory-correct Baruch hose clamps. The original spare wheel, roadside jack and lug wrench, and restoration notes and a partial parts list are included.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1150766/1957-mercedes-benz-190sl-convertible/
Cost
454,472 AED
