Mercedes-Benz 190SL

This 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL received a 100% cosmetic and mechanical restoration in 2015 and has formed part of the current owners collection since 2018. The car is used regularly on fine days and when not in use is kept in a climate controlled garage and has covered only 900 Kms since restoration. The exterior is finished in Silver Metallic / Silber Grau Metallic (180) with a Red leather (641) interior cabin, accented with a  Red soft top and Silver Metallic (DB180) hard top. This car is ready to be enjoyed immediately and requires nothing more than normal routine maintenance.

 

Prior to restoration this 190SL was on display at the Sevdino Automobile and Aviation Museum in Sweden which was founded by Lennart Svedfelt (1924-1993). Lennart was  a celebrated entertainer, also known by the stage name Svedino and appeared on stage and TV until the early 1990’s. He was also an astute car collector and this 190SL was used regularly by him upto the 1980’s. After that it was put on permanent display in his museum.

 

While the original documented color of this 190SL is Red (534) the bodywork was refinished in Silver Metallic (180) when restored in 2015. During that process the engine, running gear, suspension, brakes and fuel system were all restored. The body was returned to bare metal, repaired as necessary and repainted. All the chrome work was removed and refinished and is in perfect condition. A new red soft top was fitted and the hardtop was restored. Since then, the car has had only very occasional use, has been stored correctly and is in fantastic condition.

 

Power comes from a 1.9-liter M121 in line, four-cylinder engine paired to a 4-speed manual transmission. The motor was rated for 104 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque when new and features a single overhead camshaft along with dual side-draft carburetors.  The odometer displays 900 kilometers and was reset upon completing the comprehensive restoration. 

 

Features include a paint matched dashboard, restored brightwork, 13″ steel wheels with paint matched wheel covers and slim white wall tyres measuring 185/80 are fitted all round. A body-colored original full-size spare wheel and tyre can be found in the boot along with the toolkit. 

 

The cabin is trimmed in Red Leather (641) across the seats, door cards, dashboard and parcel shelf. The leather seats were recovered at the time of the restoration and as you’d expect with only 900 Kms on the clock, are perfect. The paint-matched dashboard displays refinished brightwork for the switchgear. The two spoke ivory steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation including a 210-kph speedometer and 7k-rpm rev counter as well as gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level.

 

The soft top opens and closes with an easy movement and stows nicely into its recess. The removable hardtop has been fully restored and features a parchment headliner, it’s stored correctly on a stand when not in use. New carpets in Red with leather outer piping were fitted across the floor boards and parcel shelf. 

 

This 190SL is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. The hard work has been done, now it’s time to hit the open road.