Vehicle Description
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https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/083E9F
Fully restored by SL Classics in approx. 2017 - 1,496 miles since
restoration
Painted in the stunning Mercedes-Benz factory Blue-Grey, with red
leather interior
4-speed manual transmission, 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine
Includes luggage, matching hard top, tool kit, owner's manuals,
jack, spare wheel/tire
Designed in similar style as its counterpart the 300SL Roadster
Not many manufacturers can say they have a lineage that dates back
to over 65 years, carrying the badge proudly as the models change
and morph. Mercedes-Benz is one of those companies, with the SL
moniker being first introduced in 1954 with the revealing of the
300SL Gullwing and its sibling, the 190SL. While the 300SL was made
for speed and was more oriented for someone looking for the
pinnacle of technology, the 190SL was made in favor of enjoying the
journey while driving. Comfortable, reliable, and built with the
highest standard of quality that Mercedes-Benz was known for, the
190SL found its popularity grow among enthusiasts and collectors as
the decades past. Today, the 190SL is a fantastic entrance into a
classic Mercedes-Benz, with a subtler version of the 300SL's
styling but clearly showing the lineage between the two
variants.
Like the 300SL family and Porsche Speedster, the 190SL was created
largely in part due to Max Hoffman, America's largest importer of
European cars. With a keen understanding of the American public's
taste and desires, this made him valuable to the European auto
manufacturers who, after the post war years, needed a larger
demographic to sell to. With a 4-speed manual transmission,
1.9-liter inline-4-cylinder engine, superior build quality vs.
other cars, and with a price that made it a fantastic value vs. a
300SL, the 190SL found a place for itself. While Mercedes-Benz
built only approximately 2,800 per year during its production run,
the quality of the car ensured that they lasted far longer than
their other competition.
This 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL was originally located in Europe
before undergoing a full restoration by the expert artisanal
craftsman at SL Classics. This meticulous restoration yielded the
car that is here today, an extremely authentic-to-originality 190SL
that shows and presents in superb fashion. Painted in factory
Blue-Grey with a red leather interior, nothing was left untouched
based on the quality and attention to detail that this restoration
shows. A matching hard top was also restored in the same factory
Blue-grey paint color.
The most recent owner acquired the car after the 190SL was imported
into the US sometime between 2017 and 2018. He kept the car for a
little while only to decide that in his small well-curated
collection that he needed to make some room for new cars coming in.
He spoke with Bruce Canepa about his 190SL, and shortly afterwards
the car arrived at Canepa's facility.
Upon arrival the 190SL was inspected from front to back, noting
that it was in fantastic restored condition. Nonetheless, each and
every collector car that comes to Canepa is put through and
extensive and diligent process called the "Canepa Difference." This
includes a major and comprehensive mechanical inspection where all
systems are checked and serviced as necessary. They also receive an
award-winning concours-level detailing, a thorough cleaning of each
and every surface that ensures that every car is a sight to behold.
This 190SL was treated to lastly treated to a foam-pad polish to
enhance the Blue-gray paint's shine. After the completion of this
process, each and every car is a perfect example and a
personification of Bruce Canepa's impeccable attention to
detail.
Experiencing a 190SL is a unique experience with its own set of
charms and quirks. One of the most memorable feelings is that when
you step inside of this 1959 model-year car, a car that is 61 years
old, you can feel the level of quality that it has vs. so many
other cars of the era. Mercedes-Benz decided to go all out with the
baby SL, and it shows and pays that back to the driver and
passenger when out driving and enjoying the journey between
destinations. After a complete restoration by SL Classics in 2017,
with only 1,496 miles since its completion, this might be one of
the closest opportunities you can get to stepping inside of and
driving a brand-new 190SL.