Vehicle Description
1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster
It might seem trivial, nearly seventy years later, but innovations
such as an overhead camshaft driven engine, winding windows, a
synchromesh 4-speed manual transmission and independent heating
controls for driver and passenger were big deals in the mid-1950s.
Even having a monocoque chassis was unusual back then. Most
American sporting machines kept a separate chassis well into the
new millennium. Add in sophisticated rear suspension, a fully lined
hood, exceptional build quality and comprehensive instrumentation,
plus lavish trim and timeless good looks, and the 190SL's standard
equipment was well ahead of the curve. All of which could be yours
for just $3998, no wonder it sold by the boatload. Arriving on the
market in May 1955, the Mercedes 190SL immediately set tongues
wagging. Many, especially outside America, hadn't experienced this
revolutionary roadster's myriad of talents. The perfect blending of
style, effortless class and sporting mystique. US customers
instantly recognised its laid back, luxurious approach as many of
its home grown best sellers were doing the same. It's no surprise
that Americans couldn't get enough, buying up 40 percent of all the
25,881 Mercedes-Benz 190 SLs made, (for export). The success of
this SL in the States did wonders for Stuttgart's recovering
coffers. It guaranteed the continuation of a dynasty we're
fortunate enough to still enjoy to this day. Thx To
theslshop.com
If this writer had to pick a Mercedes Benz to take home and put in
his garage, this is definitely the "IT" car to do so. With its thin
body styling, large rear window hardtop, which is virtually all
glass with thin supports, the large front headlights playing with
the central thin horizontal chromed large tri star badged grille
within a sporty large overall and just the overall style is pure
class in this example of a 190SL from 1960. The beneficiary of a
mechanical overhaul in 2011 and then a cosmetic restoration in
2018-2019 where the paint was stripped, body straightened and
aligned then dipped in the correct code DB334 Light Blue. During
the restoration the interior was redone in the correct dark blue
leather along with a German square weave carpet and a new German
Classic Convertibles soft top was installed. This is low hanging
fruit in our vast and ever changing inventory and is showing in our
North mallway with 104,196 title verified actual miles on the
odometer.
Exterior
Mercedes Benz found itself in a position where it needed to cater
to the buyer who wanted a Benz with the performance and styling but
could not afford the 300SL which was priced for the very affluent
customer. So it set out to develop what would become the 190SL,
which was an entirely new platform, had the monocoque chassis, and
sported an inline 4 cylinder SOHC engine . Here we have the result
and the lines are just stunning. The vertical rounded over head
lighting, the thin body styling, canted back and oval shaped front
chromed edged horizontal grille with large tri star badge in its
center, the list just goes on and on as to the class this car
exudes. The roofline alone is worth the price of admission for this
car with its thin pillars, desirable large rear window on the
factory hardtop, and abundance of chrome edging. The car is bathed
in factory correct DB334 Light Blue and has a complimentary dark
blue canvas soft top courtesy of German Classic Convertibles. Gaps
are excellent, the paint is evenly applied and nice, and all chrome
trimmings right down to the rocker trimmings and rear stone guards
are all shiny and non-pitted. Even the wheel coverings are set to
impress with their use of light blue painted steel wheels sporting
a central light blue painted and edged in chrome with a chromed tri
star badged dog dish center. Then let's add some trim rings on the
edges and all I can say is WOW! There are some inclusions in the
paint, but otherwise a very nicely done job.
Interior
A swing of the low slung door reveals a nifty armrest covered in
dark blue leather with nice vertical tuck and roll pleats and
sporting shiny knobs and actuators. Inside wonderfully rounded over
overstuffed bomber style buckets in dark blue leather with some
vertical tuck and roll inserts and piped smooth bolsters await your
body to be enveloped. The dash is also a marvel of engineering and
styling with a mix of circular bezeled gauges under a padded topper
eyebrow with a cluster of other important gauges down below, but
well within the driver's view. The dash switches over from dark
blue to light blue, dark blue being the padded topper, the light
blue for the dash front. In the center are the climate control
sliders which reside in dash central, with the driver's vent
control being to the lower left of the 2 spoke ivory plastic
steering wheel and the passenger's to the right of the glovebox. An
original Becker AM/FM radio is in and right next to it a clock. In
front of the passenger is a blue door glovebox with more chrome for
the pull and a large single speaker rides the front of the center
hump along with the white knobbed shifter. Beautiful tweed square
weave gray carpeting floods the floors and back storage area which
is sans any seating. Just a 2 seater for this sporty roadster. All
beautifully preserved and like new looking because it is thanks to
the 2018-2019 restoration.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is nice with a light patina covering the SOHC 4
cylinder engine. It weighs in at 1.9 liters and is like new with no
corrosion or rusting, not even any dirt! Feeding this mill the
fossils necessary to make the rated 120hp are a pair of Solex 44
PHH 2-barrel carburetors and on the back is a 4-speed manual
transmission with Synchromesh for all 4 gears. Way back power goes
to a 3.90 rear axle. Slight patina for this engine bay with some
light dirt and minor surface rust on a few components.
Undercarriage
Underneath remains honest with a mix of black steel for the
monocoque frame and gray steel for the flooring along with patina,
some slight surface rust, and road dirt. We note the front floor
pans have been repaired and show with a different shade of gray
paint. The car rides with an independent front coil spring and
swing arm with coil springs for the rear suspension. Braking is
power drums for both the front and rear and the exhaust is a stock
style single piped system.
Drive-Ability
I could not wait to drive this example of a sporty vintage Benz and
it was worth every minute of the experience. The car started right
up and accelerated with ease to the test track. No lag, just power
and easy steering, bias free panic stopping, and wonderful
handling. All the while looking great doing it. Visibility is
virtually unobstructed with the roof line, and it is definitely a
head turner. I was able to detect that the car did burn some oil,
the brake lights did not illuminate and the radio did not belt out
any tunes, all else was working just wonderfully. While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
The car is near excellent, and runs fantastically, and looks great
with the sexy styling. As I mentioned, my favorite of all MB
designs is ready to steal your heart and impress your neighbors. It
has been treated to diligent care over the course of the last 13
years of our consignor's ownership. Turn the key and drive away
after your pay!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a...for more
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