Description
This is lot number 147 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Body No. 651028
Mille-Miglia eligible and comes with 1000 Miglia Registro
Rare Pearl Grey over burgundy with matching soft top
Solex twin-barrel carburettors
Matching numbers example
Presented in lovely condition
When the Mercedes-Benz 190SL debuted at the 1954 New York Auto Show, the flashes of glamour shining from the halo 300SL became that little bit more attainable. The 190SL, coded W121, shared its sense of style and several major components with the 300SL supercar, but diverged in two main areas. The 300SL's complex tube-frame chassis was swapped for a more conventional pressed steel monocoque, and the 190SL employed a smaller 1900cc single-cam inline four. The 190SL would always be more of a tourer than a hardcore racer, but priced competitively and offering that hit of post-war serotonin that America was craving, the 190SL was a runaway success. Over 25, 000 were built during an eight-year lifespan.
Delivered new in elegant Pearl Grey (colour code DB125) over red leather (code 1079), our vendor purchased this lovely matching numbers example 190SL in 2021 to fulfil a long-held ambition of completing the Mille Miglia, which was done that same year with success. The Datenkart accompanying the car reveals it was delivered new to Los Angeles, USA, and was ordered with a list of options including Perlgrau "Sonderlackierung" - a special and desirable colour.
This190SL remained in the US until 2014, in the long-term ownership of Mr Edwin Kitt. It features the correct Solex twin-barrel carburettors. Presented in lovely condition after a professional restoration that seems to have been carried out a while ago (unfortunately no restoration details or photos are available). The 190SL has been maintained by recognized classic car specialist Phillippe Sybille in Belgium in recent years. Having hardly used the car since the Mille Miglia adventure, the current owner has decided to part with his beautiful 190SL and give the opportunity to its next custodian to participate in "the world's most beautiful race". The documentation includes Belgian registration documents, a current Mille Miglia Registro certificate and of course the Registro badge mounted on the front plate holder, a copy of an old US title, the owner's manual and a copy of the Datenkart confirming the car's original specifications and matching numbers.
