Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America’s Hilton Head event, November 5, 2016.
Chassis No.
1210425501389
Estimate:
$120,000 - $140,000 US
The famed dealer, Max Hoffman, was the importer, distributor and seller of the three-pointed star from 1952 to 1957 to a rather narrow segment of America. Although Daimler-Benz didn’t realize it at the time, this segment, however narrow, was the group that made opinions and set styles for a great percentage of the population. Also representing other marques; Hoffman was on his way out almost before he was in. His showrooms in New York and Los Angeles sold less than 700 cars over a two-year period and the Mercedes export department knew there were many sales to be had in the expansive territory between the coasts. Mercedes-Benz was grateful to Hoffman for these first steps into the United States, and he is undisputedly given credit by Mercedes-Benz for the inspiration and creation of the still-revered Mercedes-Benz 190SL.
The period factory brochure for this car enthused about “the stunning, new Mercedes-Benz 190SL production sports car offers these hits – Racing, Performance, Luxurious Comfort and Operational Robustness – and no errors, meaning, no sacrifice of the factory’s prime principal – Safety. And now the car of your dreams has become a reality….”
Beautifully presented in DB180 Silver over full Berry Red leather interior and black German canvas soft-top; this 190SL has been completely rotisserie restored, taken down to bare monocoque with engine, transmission and suspension removed prior to paint, then “fully reassembled down to the nut-and-bolt to create an absolutely magnificent example.”
This Mercedes-Benz represents one of the very desirable, early manual-advance 1955 models with rare 300SL-style bucket seating that was available only in 1955 and early 1956. The 1,897-cc, 120-hp inline four-cylinder engine has dual Solex carburetors and the transmission is a four-speed manual. It even has the original rebuilt manual-advance distributor with the correct dash-located adjuster knob.
The brightwork is in outstanding condition inside and out, while there is also all-new rubber and weatherstrip, all VDO instrumentation is either rebuilt or new, all-new anodizing, new leather, factory color-keyed hubcaps, tastefully sized (and most appropriate) whitewall tires and, of course, new paint, has led to a premier portrayal and captures a caliber of workmanship that would be reminisce of the factory. The 190SL is touted to “run and drive as good as it looks.” Designed and built primarily for driver and passenger motoring pleasures; this car should not disappoint.
