Vehicle Description
1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL 2-Door ConvertibleChassis No.
121.042.10.015341Engine No. 121.921.10.015429Body No.
A121.042.10.01702120hp 1,897cc OHV in-line 4-cylinder engine;
all-synchro 4-speed manual transmission; independent front
suspension with coil springs and wishbones; low-pivot swing axle
rear suspension; servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase:
94.5 inches.Despite wartime devastation, Daimler-Benz rebounded
strongly by the mid-1950's including a triumphant return to racing.
Enter the brilliant, high-performance 300SL, the company's first
post-war sports car and; a two-seat boulevard cruiser, the
190SL.Like most sports cars of the time, the 190SL had a more basic
sedan to thank for its existence. In the case of the 190SL, it was
M-B's W120 Series 180 introduced in 1953 and commonly known as the
"Ponton" sedan (thanks to the visual and structural character of
its body/chassis configuration). Mercedes-Benz followed the
Austin-Healey/Triumph TR-series formula of the era by creating a
new car using off-the-shelf components it had available from its
other car lines. Known internally as the W121, the 190SL (Sport
Light) used a shortened version of the W120 platform topped by the
unique roadster body shell. Aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid were
employed and along the 180's all-independent coil-spring suspension
including the swing axles which provided considerable flexibility
during aggressive cornering.Power was supplied by a new 105hp
1.9-litre overhead cam four-cylinder engine, initially with
twin-Solex carburetors. The transmission was a floor-mounted
4-speed manual and braking was by drums at all four wheels. Styling
was intentionally similar to its 300SL sibling; most notably the
rounded overall lines, low nose, and wide grille with the
Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star causing no one to mistake this for
any other vehicle.From the onset, North America was seen as the
main market for the car. The prototype was first displayed at the
New York Sports Car Show which opened at the beginning of February
1954. Pilot production began in January 1955 with series production
commencing in May of that same year. A removable hardtop model and
a fixed roof coupe were shown at the Frankfurt show in September
1955. Luggage space is provided by a comparatively large trunk and
a roomy interior befitting its sports tourer, yet practical status
in the M-B hierarchy.At $3,840.00 new it was half the price of its
muscular sibling - which introduced a roadster model of its own in
1957. Further proving the success of the 190SL was the fact that
very few changes were made during it eight-year production life.
The drivetrain remained untouched save for a bump in compression
ratio to 5.8:1 in 1959. Production ceased in February
1963.Mercedes-Benz built 25,881 units which it considered a
commercial success; sufficiently so that it prompted the
development of the 230/250/280SL roadster that followed. The 190SL
was never intended to be a sports car for the masses nor sell in
huge numbers; but it no doubt, attracted customers into showrooms.
It was marketed as more of a comfortable cruiser as opposed to the
powerful 300SL sports car. The factory claimed a top speed of
110mph with 0-60mph times of 13.3 seconds while offering up to
26mpg; the perfect combination for effortless touring.This is one
of 3,949 190SL's produced during the calendar year of 1959. The
Mercedes-Benz factory data card confirms this as a numbers-matching
example and shows the car originally built to U.S. specifications.
It was purchased new in Paris on November 13, 1959. Finished in
Mercedes-Benz 040 Black over a tan leather interior, its first
owner is reported to have been an American woman with dual
citizenship who claimed residences in both the U.S. and France.
Initially, the car was driven in France before being shipped to the
United States.It is the beneficiary of a compre
