1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster

For those insufficiently wealthy to afford its expensive race-bred sportscar, the 300SL, Mercedes-Benz offered the less-exotic 190SL. Based on the 180 saloon, the 190 made use of the latter’s running gear; this comprised independent front suspension by means of wishbones and coil springs, single-pivot swing axe at the rear, plus drum brakes all round. Announced in early 1954, the 190SL did not enter production until January 1955.

Mounted on a detachable subframe along with the four-speed manual gearbox, front suspension, and steering, the 190 power unit was a 1,897 cc overhead-camshaft four, the first such engine ever to be featured in a Mercedes-Benz. Breathing through twin Solex downdraft carburetors, the M 121 unit produced 105 bhp at 5,700 rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190SL to 100 kmh in 13 seconds and on to a top speed of 172 kmh.

Enjoyed by its second and current owner for the past ten years, and having covered around 80,000 kms,...