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1961 Mercedes-Benz W121 190SL
Highlights
- Beautiful gunmetal grey over red colour scheme
- Recent structural restoration of subframes
- £15,000 engine rebuild
- Rare hard top, Keinzle wind up clock and lots of spares
- Only five registered keepers
- One of 562 RHD factory cars
The Appeal
Just looking at this beautiful 190SL is all the evidence you need why this model launched a multi-decades lineage that continues to this day. The same principles apply then as now: understated and timeless style, quality engineering and a clever blend of effortless, luxurious and sporting.
Only a few hundred of the 25,000 W121s left the factory configured for RHD. This one was built in October 1961 and registered in the UK in March 1964 as part of the Home Delivery Export Scheme. It has had just five keepers since. Its cossetted life has included a restoration in the 1980s and then again around four years ago. This later work included refurbishing the subframes, improving the suspension and fully rebuilding the engine, the last at a cost of £15,000 alone.
It is a matching numbers car finished in the delectable combination of gunmetal grey metallic over red leather. Inside and out this car is in very good condition. The eagle-eyed will even spot a rare wind-up Keinzle clock set into the dashboard.
A matching hard top, large number of spares and that RHD layout all add to the appeal of this gorgeous car.
The History & Paperwork
- Factory built 24th October 1961
- Originally supplied as part of the Home Delivery Export Scheme
- This allowed overseas purchased supplied to the UK free of purchase tax
- First UK registered 19th march 1964
- Five registered keepers since arrival
- Current keeper since May 2022
- HPI clear but colour listed as ‘white’
- Old magazines as shown in photographs
- Hard top and spares included
- Previously restored in the 1980s including new floors and wings
- Photographic record of older and recent restorations
- Factory handbook in good condition
- One of 562 RHD W121 cars
- Recent work prior to 2022 summarised below
Recent work:
- Subframes removed, bead blasted and powder coated
- Engine rebuilt at a cost of £15,000
- Upgraded to Webers from Solexes, which are included
- Geometry alignment and new rear shock absorbers by Suspension Secrets in May 2022
The Condition
- Gorgeous gunmetal grey metallic paintwork in very good order
- High quality paint finish with consistent colour and few signs of age
- Bodywork similarly well kept with straight panels with good fit
- Chromeork is bright and well kept with no obvious tarnish
- Lights are in good condition with bright lenses, only damaged nearside rear unit to note
- Factory hard top in matching dark grey with some signs of aging in photos
- Underside in very good condition reflecting older and recent work
- Factory correct red leather interior in very good order and appearing unmodified
- Features period Philips radio and ultra rare wind-up dashboard clock
- Red leather seats are well kept showing only light creasing of use
- Red leather dash top roll and painted body colour dash fillet, all well kept
- Bakelite two-spoke wheel in good order
- Black roof with deep colour finish and clear screen
- Fabric roof headlining is well kept showing minor water staining
- Whitewall tyres with steel rims, all in good order
The gunmetal grey metallic and red leather colour combination of this 190SL is one of the most sought-after for these cars. It is easy to see why. It sets off the chromework and detailing outside while inside that light finish accents the clever factory details.
Throughout the car the condition is at a high level. Recent work to the subframes ensures the structure is commensurate. There are a few minor areas indicating use - shown in photographs - but these do not detract from the overall impression of a high end car.
The Mechanics
- 1,897cc M121 100bhp 4cyl engine
- 4spd manual gearbox
- Upgraded to Weber carburettors
- Original Solex units are supplied with car
- Recent £15,000 engine rebuild with few miles since completion
- Suspension work by Suspension Secrets in May 2022 detailed above
- Some spare parts included with sale
- No reported running or driving issues
Some pretty 60s sports cars are as fragile as they are achingly beautiful. Not so the 190SL. This is a Mercedes-Benz after all. The 1.9L M121 engine, good for 100bhp, is renowned for its durability.
The engine in this car was recently fully rebuilt at a cost of £15,000. The car has covered few miles since. It remains a matching numbers car, the only variation from originality being fitment of more reliable Weber carburettors. The original pair of Solex units are included with the car if the buyer wishes to return it to standard.
Underneath the suspension received attention from specialists Suspension Secrets in May 2022. This included two new rear shock absorbers and a full geometry alignment. The result is a car that drives and goes as well as it looks.
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
Auction Details
- Year 1961
- Make Mercedes
- Model SL Class
- Colour Grey
- Odometer 41,503 Miles
- Engine size 1897
- Seller Type Private
- Town Over Peover
- County Cheshire
- Country United Kingdom
-
Auction ends
9 Bids
from 7
bidders
- Peter J•••• £83,000 16/09/24
- anthony•••• £82,000 16/09/24
- Peter J•••• £81,000 16/09/24
- anthony•••• £80,000 15/09/24
- Mauriz•••• £75,000 13/09/24
- paulbyr•••• £60,000 12/09/24
- ross-ho•••• £55,000 12/09/24
- Leonard•••• £52,000 12/09/24
- paul-tu•••• £50,000 12/09/24
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