The 1955 launch of the 190SL cemented Mercedes-Benz's reputation as the car manufacturer for those who wanted elegance, build quality and a good turn of speed. Unsurprisingly most of the 26,000 units were sold to the North American market and it is believed just some 562 were made in right-hand drive. Although stunningly pretty, the 190 SL had stiff competition in the UK from domestic sports car manufacturers such as Jaguar, Austin-Healey and the significantly cheaper models from MG. Consequently, a UK-supplied 190 SL is perhaps the rarest of all sports cars from the era, especially compared to the huge amount of cars sold to countries who drive on the other side of the road.

This delightful right-hand drive 190SL was first registered in the UK on the 18th January 1962. The colour is registered as being changed in 1984 from White to its current, rather fetching, shade of Fire Engine Red and the hard top is assumed to have been painted to match at the same time. Whilst the seating, carpeting, door cards and dashboard top-roll are finished in red the dashboard is painted grey, which may well be the original colour as all dashboards match the exterior paintwork. It is understood that the car saw some restoration works in 1984 whilst with its penultimate owner, which tallies with the colour change date. He kept the car for some fourteen years, selling it locally to our vendor in 1997 who has done nothing more than general servicing since.
 
Our vendor informs us that his family has a long association with Mercedes-Benz’s SL range which started with his grandfather’s purchase of a 300SL Gullwing back in the day, regretfully conceding that only the later SL cars now remain! This car was bought locally from its 5th owner on the 14th May 1997 where it joined a collection made up largely of coachbuilt Bentleys and was appropriately stabled alongside two very fine SL Pagodas. Maintaining the car privately within their own workshop, our vendor’s family drove it occasionally and even then just locally, preferring more inclusive family jaunts offered by their other cars. Prior to the fresh MOT issued on the 26th April 2022, the car was last issued with an MOT in 2018, and it may be advisable to fit a new set of tyres and give the car a service and a thorough 'going over' before embarking on a long journey.

 
With demand for the right-hand drive 190SL reaching ever increasing heights it is rare to see an example that isn’t so pin-sharp restored as to prove an anxious drive. This car is keenly estimated to reflect a condition that presents well but will require further detailing to make it exceptional, chief of which is a re-trim of the convertible hood. Once we are in possession of the Factory Data Card, we can confirm the original colours upon request and, as such, this pretty little 190SL offers the twin benefits of a presentable car that could be used without being too precious and the option of future works to return it back to factory original. It's presented to auction with an odometer reading of some 14,900 miles at the time of cataloguing, its Swansea V5C, previous MOTs and the current MOT which is valid until April 2023.