"DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THIS LOT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AUCTIONTogether with the 300 SL, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL made history at the New York International Motor Sports Show in February 1954 by being the first new production Mercedes-Benz to be unveiled outside of Germany. The striking impression given by the 190 SL, sitting alongside the bigger 300 SL, was neat, sporty and with dashing lines - signatures of Mercedes-Benz designers Karl Wilfret and Walter Hacket. And between May 1955 and February 1963, 25,881 of these cars were produced, a huge success for Mercedes-Benz. Its engine boasted four inline cylinders with a chain driven overhead camshaft and two carburettors delivering a respectable 108bhp for that era, and still providing an exhilarating drive today. The body was a monocoque design, welded to the shortened chassis of the type 180 saloon. A racing version with aluminium doors and a small windscreen was never officially produced although, these parts could be ordered from the factory for weekend racing. This charming 190 SL was built in the third year of production in 1957 and first registered on the 1st January, 1958 to a Mr. Walter Perry of Whiteboro, New York. The car resided with him until 1990 where it was sold to Mr David Levine of Great Neck, New York. The first UK owner purchased the car from Mr Levine prior to shipping and UK registration in 2016, with the current owner buying the car through Historics the subsequent year. The car was immediately sent to marque specialist, Lux Classics, who set about meeting the owner's brief to create a fabulous looking and mechanically sorted example that could be enjoyed as intended without fear of sullying a ‘garage queen’. With a written post-restoration valuation of £125,000, this 190 SL is now offered to market representing great value. As expected, the car presents well, finished in white with a contrasting red interior and black soft top. Invoices for work completed detail the extensive body and metalwork, as well as a comprehensive mechanical overhaul to ensure that the car goes and stops as well as it looks. Engine, fuelling, braking, and suspension work was completed as recommended, and once complete the underside of the car was lightly sealed ready for use. Invoices for this restoration are documented in the history file and total over £34,000. The current owner's open wallet approach to ownership resulted in work being completed in 2019 in addition to the usual annual maintenance, including a bottom end engine rebuild. Although delighted with the car’s drivability and overall condition, the fastidious owner felt that the ‘face’ of the car could be further improved, and so in September 2020 commissioned going back to bare metal before a comprehensive repaint was completed. At the same time, the car also benefitted from an extensive recommissioning service which included a new electronic distributor, coil, spark plugs and a full engine and carburettor tune up. We are advised by the vendor that this well-presented example runs as it should and is a delight to drive. Supplied with a sizeable history file detailing the recent restoration work, photographs of the restoration, various Mercedes-Benz instruction manuals, sundry invoices, and the UK registration document. This most elegant of sporting tourers simply awaits its next custodian.
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