£75,000 - £85,000
1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
Registration Number: JAS 744
Chassis Number: 1210408501710
Recorded Mileage: 78,100 miles
- Offered with a rare and desirable hardtop
- Originally delivered to the United States, in the current colour scheme
- Subject of recent recommissioning works (2025)
- Will be offered with a new MoT certificate
Very few new sports cars have been so eagerly awaited or so long in coming as the moderately priced SL version of the Mercedes-Benz.” Road & Track magazine.
Alongside its hyper-expensive race-bred sports car - the 300SL - Mercedes-Benz offered the less exotic but no less refined 190 SL. Announced in 1954 and based on the 180 saloon whose all-independently-suspended running gear it used, the 190 SL entered production in January 1955. Mounted on a detachable sub-frame along with the four-speed manual gearbox, front suspension and steering, the power unit was a 1,897cc overhead-camshaft four – the first such engine ever to feature in a Mercedes-Benz. Breathing through twin Solex downdraft carburettors, the M121 unit produced 105bhp at 5,700rpm, enough to propel the 190SL to 100km/h in 13 seconds, and onto a top speed of 170km/h. The fact that the 190’s ride was more boulevard than sporting, and that many contemporary sports cars could out-perform it while costing a good deal less, did nothing to deter buyers. The model was a big hit in the USA, where many of the 26,000-odd vehicles produced between 1955 and 1963 found homes.
First sold in Columbus, Ohio, finished in its current colour scheme of Silbergrau Metallic with a red leather interior and factory hardtop, the SL arrived in the UK in 2002. After covering in the region of 1,000 miles, in 2006 the SL changed hands. At this point some restoration work was required and so new front and rear floor pans to both sides were fitted, along with repairs to both sills. The gearbox and dynamo were overhauled, also a new convertible roof supplied and fitted. In 2025 the SL was recommissioned with a replacement fuel pump, fuel filter, rebuild of the carburettors, cleaning of the fuel tank, and the fitting of a new battery. More recently the 190SL has gained new carpeting and been treated to an overhaul of the braking system, and a service.
Supplied with a history file listing previous owners, older MoT certificates, current UK V5c, invoices and original Warranty Card, this is a nicely presented example of an all-time classic.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
14.4% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
15.6% inc VAT*
