Vehicle Description
*1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL*Introduced at the 1954 New York Motor
Show, the Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster was displayed alongside the
dazzling new 300SL Gullwing coupe as a less expensive alternative.
The 190SL shared the 300SL's styling in a more compact design and
incorporated Mercedes-Benz's typically sophisticated engineering in
a new OHC inline-4 engine, front double wishbone and rear
swing-axle suspension, and racing-inspired drum brakes. The
gem-like 1959 190SL Roadster offered here was commissioned by FA
D.B.N.A. Los Angeles on April 13, 1959, and later imported into the
United States by Daimler-Benz of North America at Rockefeller
Center, New York, on April 23, 1959.According to its factory data
card and special-order supplemental build sheet, this Mercedes-Benz
190SL Roadster was delivered new in a rare two-tone paint scheme of
DB40 Black with a DB180 Silver hardtop over a 1079 Red leather
interior with red carpets. Other options included a rare transverse
rear jump seat, Becker radio and an extremely rare No. 708 Grey
rubberized "gummist" soft top.As documented in the accompanying
January/February 2016 issue of the 190SL Enthusiast Magazine, a
publication of The International 190SL Group, an Anaheim,
California, businessman owned and drove the car for several years
before parking it in 1978 due to a mechanical failure. The car
remained untouched in a garage until his survivors sold the car in
2014. Though the 190SL was in need of a great deal of work, it was
a completely original black plate California car showing no rust
and only one very minor ding in the nose.After moving the car to
his own garage and starting to work on the project himself, the new
owner realized just how big a job it would be to restore the car
properly. Through a mutual contact he arranged to have former
Can-Am racer and world-renowned Mercedes-Benz expert Lothar
Motschenbacher come and inspect the car. A deal was worked out, and
Motschenbacher purchased the car and began the process of returning
it to concours standards in as-delivered specifications.
Motschenbacher completed the car's meticulous nut-and-bolt
restoration in 2016, retaining all the original body panels, floors
and major mechanical components and ensuring thorough attention to
every detail.The car sat on display for several years before
recently being fully serviced and test driven. The car has only
been driven a sparing 450 miles since its completion, and this
superb 190SL Roadster proudly presents in its impeccably finished,
as-original color scheme. Though 300SL Roadsters and Gullwings are
often subject to a restoration of this caliber, it is extremely
rare to find a 190SL that has been restored to a concours level.The
car is offered with a restored DB180 Silver large-window hardtop,
correct wide whitewall tires and both black and silver hubcap sets.
Its documentation includes copies of the factory data cards listing
Body No. 9500492 and Engine No. 121921199500978, the original
California black license plate, correct tools, bags and jack, and a
photographic record of the restoration. Having long emerged from
the shadow of its "big brother" 300SL, the 190SL, especially a
premium example such as this, has assumed its rightful place in the
world of fine collector automobiles.*Key Features* * Long-Term
Single California Ownership * Comprehensive Restoration by Marque
Expert and Racer Lothar Motschenbacher * Concours Quality to
Original Specification * Unique Color Combination of Black w/Silver
Hardtop Over Red Leather * Extensive Documentation * Copy of
Factory Data Card * Original California Black Plate * Restoration
Photos * Original Tools, Jack and Tool RollFor more information on
this 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL or any of our High-Performance,
Luxury, Exotic, Classic, and Special Interest cars always in stock,
contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales consultants or
always feel free to drop by our 40,000+ sq ft of Indoor Showrooms
in Bellevue, WA - Home of an Exciting Inventory of Luxury, Exotic,
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