1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster

Footnotes

For those unable 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. Mounted on a detachable sub-frame 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 carburettors, the M121 unit produced 105bhp at 5,700rpm, an output sufficient to propel the 190SL to 60mph in 13 seconds and on to a top speed of 107 miles per hour. The fact that the 190's ride was more boulevard than sporting, and that many contemporary sports cars could out-perform it while costing a good deal less, did nothing to deter sales. The model was a big hit in the USA, where many of the slightly fewer than 26,000 produced between 1955 and 1963 found homes.

This right-hand drive 190 SL was delivered new in the UK and first owned by solicitor Malcolm Fraser of Pall Mall, London SW1. Details of subsequent owners may be found in the accompanying history file, which also contains numerous service invoices and every MoT from 1977 to 1996. '455 DXX' was purchased by the lady vendors' late father in October 1995 from Mrs Erica Bowden of Stockport, who had won a concours award with car in 1990. A John Fearn of Nottingham appears to have sold the 190 SL to Mrs Bowden; Mr Fearn obtained parts from Millers Mercedes of California, USA: new floors, etc being fitted in the UK in 1989. Off the road since 1996, the Mercedes was stored by the vendors' father (and was unknown to them) until his death in 2015.

This 190 SL is offered fresh from re-commissioning by Chris Shenton Engineering. Works carried out have included a complete braking system overhaul using all genuine Mercedes-Benz parts; a new exhaust system (genuine M-B from Germany); some floor and chassis repairs for MoT; new fuel pipes; fuel tank removed and steam cleaned; and new radial tyres fitted all round. MoT'd and now back on the road, this is a lovely and genuine 190 SL with a particularly delightful interior, nicely patinated.