Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster, 1958
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL R121
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL R121•
•24 views
Chassis No.: 1210428500718
Auction: Monterey 2021
Auction date: August 14, 2021
Lot No.: S93
$121,000 | Sold
- Exterior: Red
- Interior: Black
- Body: Roadster
- 1.9L 4-cylinder engine
- Dual side draft carburetors
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Finished in Red with Black interior, top and boot cover
- Fitted luggage
- Blaupunkt pushbutton AM/FM radio
- VDO gauges
- Bumper guards
- Painted wheels with bright hubcaps and trim rings
- White stripe tires
In 1953, foreign car importer Max Hoffman suggested to Mercedes-Benz that it produce a gull-winged sports car based on the racing car for wealthy performance enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz agreed it might be a good idea, as a halo car for the brand that would showcase its abilities to produce a robust, reliable, quick, agile sports car with an exotic body seemed like a genius marketing idea. For the 1954 model year, the 300SL was announced, with Hoffman ordering 1,000. In order to offset what would certainly be an expensive sports car, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 190SL in 1955, a much less expensive car, but a Roadster that would be exciting and enjoyable all around.
Based largely on the W121 Sedan chassis, the 190SL offered a lot of similarities to the vaunted 300SL such as a fully independent suspension, a 4-cylinder engine derived from the 300SL’s inline-6 and a body that borrowed many styling cues from the 300SL. Available only as a convertible, it was available with an optional removable hardtop and small rear seat among other amenities. Media of the day praised the 190SL for its easy nature, a car that was purely enjoyable all around and a useful sports car that afforded drivers the flexibility of daily use and comfortable touring.
Priced around $4,000 in 1955, roughly $44,000 today, it was not cheap, but it was certainly more attainable than the $7,000 price tag attached to a Gullwing, about $70,000 in 2021. This 1958 190SL is powered by the 1.9L inline 4-cylinder engine with dual sidedraft carburetors and a 4-speed manual transmission. Finished in red, the interior, top and boot cover are black. Well optioned, this SL features fitted luggage, a Blaupunkt pushbutton AM/FM radio, bumper guards and VDO gauges among other elements. Rolling on painted steel wheels with bright hubcaps and trim rings, white-stripe tires add a lovely, period look.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/465258/1958-mercedes-benz-190sl-roadster/
Cost
444,373 AED
