1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster
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!
