Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster, 1955
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL R121
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL R121•
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Chassis No.: 1210425501722
Auction: Monterey 2023
Auction date: August 19, 2023
Lot No.: S54
$104,500 | Sold
- Odometer: 42,908 miles
- Engine: Inline 4-cylinder
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior: Red
- Interior: Black
- Body: Roadster
- Brought to the U.S. from Germany in the early-1970s by George Doane
- Driven regularly until 1983 then stored until 1988
- General maintenance and engine repairs performed around 1990
- Body and paint work performed by Alan Clark in Manhattan, Kansas in 1998
- Interior and top replaced in 2007
- Recently serviced and detailed
- 1.9L inline 4-cylinder engine
- Dual carburetors
- 4-speed manual transmission
Mercedes-Benz emerged from World War II with scant resources, but by 1952, it was once again dominating international sports racing with the 300 and 300SL, the latter repeatedly trouncing Ferrari on the world stage. This sudden and dramatic success inspired famed New York importer Max Hoffmann to propose to Mercedes-Benz a road version of the competition 300SL for the American market, giving birth to the legendary 300SL Gullwing coupe. At the Gullwing’s side upon its introduction at the February 1954 New York International Auto Show was a similar companion car—the 190SL Roadster.
This, too, was created under Hoffmann’s influence as a means to attract buyers seeking to capture some of the 300SL’s image while avoiding its prohibitive price tag. While outwardly similar to the space-framed Gullwing coupe in dimension and styling, the 190SL was based on the 180 sedan’s robust unibody structure incorporating all-independent suspension. Adapted directly from the 300SL’s fuel-injected inline-6, the 190SL’s twin-carbureted 1.9L 4-cylinder engine was rated at a respectable 120 HP and mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.
A grand tourer rather than an all-out sports car, the 190SL was moderately priced, yet solidly engineered, beautifully finished and well equipped with a superb driving environment. This beautiful red-on-black 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster was imported into the United States from Germany in the early 1970s by George Doane. He drove the car regularly until 1983 and then placed it into storage until 1988. General maintenance and engine repairs were then performed around 1990, later followed by body and paint work performed by the highly regarded Alan Clark Body Shop in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1998. The interior and top were replaced in 2007.
Recently serviced and detailed, this early production 190SL presents handsomely in its red paint, black leather interior and black soft top with a matching boot cover.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1095151/1955-mercedes-benz-190sl-roadster/
Cost
383,777 AED
