Mention Cosworth in the context of a 1980s sports saloon and most people will think of Ford, but there was another manufacturer that was heavily involved in motor sport at the time and which alos played heavily on the British tuning company’s engine building experience.
That company was Mercedes-Benz, which produced Cosworth-powered versions of its 190E compact executive car for homologation purposes. The 190E 2.3-16 – and latterly the 2.5-16 – are spoken of in hushed tones today. Genuine collectors’ cars, steeped in race-derived history and eagerly sought-after.
This one is more special than most. It’s an early 2.5, dating from 1989, and was originally commissioned as a special order by King Constantine of Greece to use in the UK, who decreed that it must be painted in his favourite colour: Nautical Blue. It’s a shade that wasn’t offered on the Cosworth-engined cars, apart from this one – most likely because the original owner had friends in high places.
Freshly recommissioned, with almost £10,000 spent at a Mercedes-Benz specialist earlier this year, the 190 is the perfect addition to a Mercedes or Eighties icons collection.
History and Paperwork
UK V5C
MOT May 2025
Cherished registration included, B2 KOG
Vendor advises the plate means 'Belonged to King of Greece'
Magazine featured in November 2009 issue of Mercedes Enthusiast
Invoices dating back to the 1990s
Laminated service receipts showing major works carried out in the 2000s
Recent receipt for almost £10,000 spent with Mercedes specialist for recommissioning work
Stored for many years in a private collection and has covered only 1,000 miles in past 15 years
Original brochures and advertisements
Service book stamped to 102,650 miles in 2000
Autowatch alarm system
The Condition
Original Nautical Blue paintwork
Some minor age-related imperfections, but presents well overall
Original factory alloys
Rare blue leather upholstery
4 new leather upholstered door cards
Steel tilt and slide sunroof
Cruise control
Air conditioning
Smart and original all over
Vendor advises that the alarm system is not functional
The 190E is mostly original on top and while there are a few minor imperfections as you’d expect on a 35-year-old car, it’s still in pretty smart condition with no major flaws and no signs of dents or accident damage.
It’s also now sound underneath, having received recent underside welding carried out as part of the recommissioning process. It’s a good, solid and extremely smart-looking car, which wears the subtle 2.5-16 body kit well.
Inside, the seats are trimmed in blue leather and present very smartly as well, although again there are signs of minor age-related imperfections such as a kittle bit of rubbing on the driver’s side seat bolster, some slight fading on the dash and a small patch of discolouration on the gear lever surround. It has smart Mercedes-Benz factory floor mats, an electric sunroof, cruise control and air conditioning.
In the boot, the original Mercedes-Benz tool roll is present and correct.
The Mechanics
2.5-litre Cosworth normally aspirated 16v
173bhp
Optional automatic transmission
Recent service at Mercedes-Benz specialist at the time of major recommissioning work
Under the bonnet, you’ll find a masterpiece of engineering, as well as the reason why the 2.5-16 is such a collectable machine. The unit is based on Mercedes-Benz’s M102 over-square four-pot, but tuned by the British motorsport company to develop 201bhp.
This one has the option of automatic transmission, fit for a King no less, and has had some major work in recent times to return it to decent working condition. According to the vendor, it runs very well indeed, with no known or apparent faults.
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Auction Details
Year1989
Make
Mercedes
Model
190 E
Colour
Blue
Odometer
115,000 Miles
Engine size2497
Seller TypePrivate
Town
London
CountyLondon
Country
United Kingdom
Auction ends
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