Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America's Auburn Spring event,
May 11-13, 2017.
Chassis No.
12104010019655
Estimate:
$ 60,000 - $ 65,000 US
Following strong advocacy of the concept by Max Hoffman, the
legendary Mercedes-Benz United States representative; it was at the
1954 New York Auto Show that the 190SL prototype made its debut.
This version had early dash instrumentation, eyebrows over the
front fenders and an air scoop on the hood. Production examples
took more than a year to appear, with the first arriving at the
1955 Geneva Auto Show.
With a significantly lower price tag than the 300SL it began to
outsell its �big brother' by about eight to one. As it turned out,
the engineering on the cars was remarkable and ahead of anything
else in the under two-liter class. A strong overhead-cam engine,
aluminum panels and fully independent suspension on all four wheels
ensured good performance.
The Mercedes-Benz 190SL was designed fundamentally for driver and
passenger pleasure. As a sports car of this period, it was a high
performance machine with particular emphasis placed on road
characteristics, and employed this with precise steering in the
strong engineering package.
The beautiful styling of this 190SL is complemented by the classic
period colors of white with red interior and is nicely accented
inside by the white steering wheel and dash fascia. Powered by the
respected 1,891-cc, 120-hp inline overhead cam six-cylinder engine
with Weber carburetors and paired with a four-speed manual
transmission; it's a more than stylish way to enjoy open air
motoring in one of the best models of the era. A period AM radio,
VDO instrumentation, color-keyed factory wheel trim and thinline
whitewall tires are among the correct accents.
At the time of production, you could virtually count on your
fingers the number of marques in the world that could provide this
type caliber of craftsmanship and, for a sports car, appointments
of this luxury.
