Fantasy Junction

Description

1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
s/n 121921100017017
Medium Blue with Blue Leather

Introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show in prototype form (alongside the 300SL Gullwing), the 190SL was a glamorous yet affordable way to enjoy Mercedes quality and robustness in an open air form. Like many other contemporary European sports cars (most notably the Porsche Speedster), the arrival of the 190SL in the United States owed much to Max Hoffman, the contemporary US distributor for many European car companies, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, MG, and Triumph. Priced at around $4000, the 190SL was slightly more than half the price of the 300SL, and consequently, nearly 26,000 examples were built between 1955 and 1963, compared to about 1800 300SL Roadsters. Therefore, today, the 190SL remains a considerably more affordable and easier to live with (but in many ways, equally striking and pretty) car than the 300SL thanks to superior parts availability and more simple mechanicals.

This particular example is an extremely nice two owner California car which has remained with the same long-term female owner from 1963 to 2012. It has been repainted in the original color and has had the interior upholstery and carpets re-trimmed in the correct materials. Owing largely to its California dry climate ownership, this example is and has been totally rust free. It is equipped with the original radio, clock, and carburetors. It starts easily, runs strong, and drives beautifully. Currently the radio and the heaters are not operational (heater cores not present), but the car is otherwise absolutely ready to be enjoyed on the road.

This example employs good driver cosmetics, excellent panel match, and a very straight presentation. The interior is particularly nice with correct pattern and material carpet, seat, and inner door panels. The factory gauges, white plastic steering wheel, and switchgear remain. The engine bay and undercarriage, while not overly detailed, confirm the car’s structural superiority and regular mechanical upkeep.

The car is accompanied by the manual pack and work records back to 1991. The long-term owner had kept records has far back as 1963, but unfortunately those, as well as the hard top, were lost in the Oakland Hills fire of 1990.

This is an extremely appealing example of one of these robust and usable classic cars. The color combination is attractive and striking, yet the condition is not too nice to be used with a clear conscience, making it an ideal car for touring, or simply for weekend jaunts. It has been properly maintained by its mature owner, which should help to ensure reliable operation for its next custodian.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608