1,897cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine 2 Weber Carburetors 115bhp at 5,700rpm 4-Speed Manual Transmission 4-Wheel independent suspension 4-Wheel hydraulic drum brakes *Restored for Jane Spain *Barely driven since restoration *Handsome SL Mercedes THE MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL For those insufficiently wealthy to afford its hyper-expensive, race-bred sports car - the 300SL - Mercedes-Benz offered the less exotic but no less refined 190SL. Announced in 1954 and based on the 180 saloon, whose all-independently-suspended running gear it used, the 190SL did not enter production until January 1955, the delay being caused by alterations aimed at strengthening the saloon's shortened platform to compensate for the open body's reduced stiffness. "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," observed Road & Track magazine. Mounted on a detachable subframe 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 carburetors, this M121 power unit produced 105bhp at 5,700rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190SL to 100km/h in 14.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 171km/h. The fact that the 190's ride was more boulevard than sporting, and that many contemporary sports cars could outperform it while costing a good deal less, did nothing to deter sales. The model was a big hit in the US, where a good percentage of the slightly fewer than 26,000 produced between 1955 and 1963 found homes. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED This nicely presented 190SL was restored in house for Frank Spain's wife Jane in the 1980s. Photos on file document the restoration and show the car was torn down to its constituent parts and refinished. Painted in the unique shade of Medium Blue with a matching hard top, beige soft top, and saddle brown leather interior, the color combination shows very well. As part of the work, a set of throatier Weber carburetors replaced the original twin Solexs. While a much-admired vehicle, it was almost too nice to drive when it was finished and fear of getting the car damaged while it was parked in town resulted in it only hitting the road a handful of times after the completion of the restoration. Today, the fetching two-top Roadster is ready for its new home. The little cousin to the brawny 300SL, 190SLs are stylish and elegant machines that are sure to delight whether cruising or parked.
1,897cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine 2 Weber Carburetors 115bhp at 5,700rpm 4-Speed Manual Transmission 4-Wheel independent suspension 4-Wheel hydraulic drum brakes *Restored for Jane Spain *Barely driven since restoration *Handsome SL Mercedes THE MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL For those insufficiently wealthy to afford its hyper-expensive, race-bred sports car - the 300SL - Mercedes-Benz offered the less exotic but no less refined 190SL. Announced in 1954 and based on the 180 saloon, whose all-independently-suspended running gear it used, the 190SL did not enter production until January 1955, the delay being caused by alterations aimed at strengthening the saloon's shortened platform to compensate for the open body's reduced stiffness. "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," observed Road & Track magazine. Mounted on a detachable subframe 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 carburetors, this M121 power unit produced 105bhp at 5,700rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190SL to 100km/h in 14.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 171km/h. The fact that the 190's ride was more boulevard than sporting, and that many contemporary sports cars could outperform it while costing a good deal less, did nothing to deter sales. The model was a big hit in the US, where a good percentage of the slightly fewer than 26,000 produced between 1955 and 1963 found homes. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED This nicely presented 190SL was restored in house for Frank Spain's wife Jane in the 1980s. Photos on file document the restoration and show the car was torn down to its constituent parts and refinished. Painted in the unique shade of Medium Blue with a matching hard top, beige soft top, and saddle brown leather interior, the color combination shows very well. As part of the work, a set of throatier Weber carburetors replaced the original twin Solexs. While a much-admired vehicle, it was almost too nice to drive when it was finished and fear of getting the car damaged while it was parked in town resulted in it only hitting the road a handful of times after the completion of the restoration. Today, the fetching two-top Roadster is ready for its new home. The little cousin to the brawny 300SL, 190SLs are stylish and elegant machines that are sure to delight whether cruising or parked.
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
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