Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
9th April 2025 - 9:00AM
1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
Estimate
£70, 000 - £90, 000
Registration No: VSV 526
Chassis No: the details below
MOT: Exempt
Subject to a complete body and mechanical overhaul during the 2010s
Presented in the desirable colour scheme of Mercedes Silver over a Dark Blue leather interior
Recently subject to mechanical recommissioning after a period of dry storage
Supplied with matching body-colour genuine hard top
The 190SL was introduced in 1955 – the year Mercedes swept all before it on the Mille Miglia with the 300SLR. Indeed, the graceful convertible grand tourer was sold alongside the road-going version of the SLR – the 300SL - whose styling it strongly resembled. In fact, the underpinnings of the two cars were quite different and, while the 300SL had a purpose-built tubular spaceframe (W198), its smaller sibling was built on a shortened version of the ‘Ponton’ saloon (W121) platform, which was of monocoque construction. The 190SL also boasted an all-new engine - an over-square SOHC straight-four unit of 1897cc that produced some 120bhp, which was sufficient to propel the car to a maximum speed of 112mph. The engine was coupled to a manual four-speed gearbox. The suspension comprised double wishbones and coil springs at the front and a coil-sprung swing axle at the rear. Steering was by recirculating ball and braking by power-assisted drums all round. Built to the highest standards and among the quickest comparable cars of the time, the 190SL featured a well-appointed cockpit, notable comfort for its occupants and relatively generous luggage space. The 190SL continued in production until 1963, when both it and the 300SL were replaced by the 230SL (W113). By this time 25, 881 190SLs had been produced.
More information to follow.
