1959 Mercedes-Benz 190-Series SL 1959 Mercedes Benz 190 SL Roadster. 2 owners for 55 years. Survivor. The paint shows nice; it shines and has nice gloss but for show quality it needs to be fully redone. In a “survivor”class this car would probably get high numbers. This is a true California car and it shows! I see no significant dents. the black sides show everything so that is quite a feat. I see no flex cracks. the(original!) door jambs are pretty nice; the hinge areas look clean and the doors are very solid without repaired orfilled seams. All wheel wells are straight and honest; I feel NO filler with the magnet. My paint thickness gaugeindicates full factory paint (around and under 300 micron) and some thin areas (under 200 micron) probably fromlots of polishing and the reason for the paint job. All lids have nice original seams without rust influence. Because these cars were very prone to rusty floors I eagerly searched for rust but this example is as rust free asone can find. I can not detect any welding. The frame looks awesome and the jack points look and feel strong and sound. The frame rails are original and look straight. I only see some small dings from road debris but no structuraldamage. I see a very straight and solid cowl structure with old factory paint appearing very good. This car has all clear. factory original without cracks; wiper scratches or sand damage. There are no sanding swirls. ellowing. delaminating or vertical scratching other than some very light delaminating in the windshield. The sideglass has good fit and adjustment. the door glass rolls up very easily. The lenses are OEM originals and in very nicecondition. they could all use some detailing or replacement for show purposes. CONVERTIBLE TOP:This is of course one of THE most important parts of these cars. First of all. the top and mechanism is all originaland unmodified except for a new vinyl cover some decades ago or so. The top has the right body number (01090)and has nice hardware. It takes no effort to put up or put down and the clamps fit nice. no need to pull on thewindshield and it fits wonderful on the body. The top frame is very good. not too loose and does not bind indifficult positions. The top header bow is nice and the top vinyl is dirty. not cracked and could be used afterdetailing. The rear plastic is still nice and not milky. for a driver quality car this only needs detailing. INTERIORThis car has the original style red MB Tex interior which has been redone many moons ago and would/could needfull redo. However. because the driver’s seat upholstery is the only heavily worn item. one could easily drive thiscar as is after fixing the seat cover and maybe the carpet. Even though for show purposes it needs redone I likethe condition. it shows respect for what this car represents. The rest of this interior is clean. never really detailedand now in better-then-“driver” condition. TRUNK:The OEM rubber carpeted and TOTALLY rust free trunk area looks awesome clean without any recent paint applied. I see no areas of repair done in the floor and I’m sure this trunk would clean up to show quality as is. GENERALThis is a nicely optioned car off factory and no additions or modifications were ever done – a true survivor qualitycar. It has the original Becker sound system which does not work but the kicker is the Becker documentation whichis really crazy the original owner kept this! LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION. MANUALS. etc. VIN: 121040109502176VIN plate firewall: 121. 040-10-9502176 (Correct for a 4-speed 1959 190SL)VIN frame stamp: 121. 040-10-9502176 (Data plate original but needs cleaning to read)VIN plate Year: N/A (Not stamped)VIN plate ID: 190SLData plate body: A121040-10-9501090Firewall body stamp: 121040-10-9501090Soft top body stamp: 01090Data plate Paint: DB40 (Black)Engine stamp: 121. 928-10-003563 with Stock Solex carbs (tagged E 14584/1 and E 14584/2)The transmission is a well shifting 4-speed. It shifts quick and crisp. does not slip and makes no strange sounds. The exhaust system consists of a very nice original cast iron manifold. it collects into a stock looking single steel1. 5” system with an (original) resonator and muffler - the latter one needs to be replaced because of a rust hole. Mileage: 32. 51 (Showing)Engine: 1. 9 L Straight 4-CylinderTransmission: 4-Speed manualCar is straight shows as a bone stock. older refreshed;showing very straight with all fitments excellent - no stories This 1959 190SL is finished in black and has a lovely red interior. It features the celebrated “Kinder seat” integrated into the rear of the interior . This Mercedes also has excellent fitment throughout and a solid straight body and flooring. The interior is crisp and clean with the drivers seat stitching being repaired. The dash is original and is neither marred nor missing any switches or knobs. the clock had been replaced at some time in the past. It has been in two families for 55 years and has been garage kept and loved throughout. The older paint and redone interior is VERY NICE but will eventually need upholstery to bring this car to magnificent condition. Feel free to contact us with any questions or additional pictures. NO ZERO FEED BACK BIDDERS WITHOUT - PRE-APPROVAL - DUE TO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH INVALID BIDDERS. THANK YOU. In 1954. Mercedes introduced its two-door grand touring roadster known as the 190SL at the New York Auto Show. Fifteen months later the production version was displayed at the 1955 Geneva Auto Show. Produced alongside the 300SL. the 190SL had very similar characteristics. however was much sleeker due to its shortened monocoque R121 platform. The 190SL was produced with a 1. 9L straight-four engine that was capable of producing up to 104hp. The car was created with a 4-speed fully-synchronized manual transmission and was available as either a soft-top convertible or a removable hardtop. It took 14. 5 seconds to go from zero to sixty and had a top speed of nearly 110 mph. Drum brakes were placed on all four corners of the 14 foot. one inch vehicle Servo brakes were optional until 1956 at which point they became standard. The 190SL production run lasted from 1955 through 1963. In comparison to many other nameplates. this is a very low number. guarantying its exclusivity and rarity in today’s standards. It was a beautiful sibling to the prestigious and awe-inspiring gullwing door 300SL. This is the one of the most desirable collector cars of all time and is priced to sell. Total miles unknown. Please call with questions 760-521-0800From a 3rd party Classic Car Inspector:"This is an incredible original. very well preserved. non modified 190SL convertible with a complete history and totally unique factory documents which I have never even seen before. It was delivered new to Southern California and went through Oregon to come back here. "This Factory Original 190SL is believed to have had only two previous owners. and has been maintained through its life. unlike the many restored 190sl's this one is a very rare. fantastic. unrestored but very well maintained condition. Overall a classic Mercedes SL in stunning condition. Runs amazingly. excellent mechanical condition. always garaged virtually rust free. just a couple of bubbling paint spots on a few areas of the body. see photos. This is truly an opportunity for a discerning collector to acquire a car that will always be a significant part of motoring history of the 50's & 60's that has not been the subject of a poor car that happens to be a good restoration. Full Inspection Report in hand from a well respected Classic Car Inspector. This car was built in 1959 in Germany and first sold new and titled in California in 1960. A little history on the 190SL Roadster according to Sports Car Market Magazine "The 190SL was born from the rich tradition of excellence and distinction so firmly adhered to by Mercedes-Benz. After the success of the powerful 300SL series. Mercedes executives and designers decided it would be advantageous to introduce a smaller. lower-priced example. The 300SL's "little brother" made an impact on the motoring world. selling over 25. 00 units by the final days of its eight-year production run. The 190SL gained quite a following—it is rumored that it was the favorite car of the alluring Grace Kelly. In effect. the 190SL was far more practical than its more severe alternative. and was better designed to suit the everyday driver and enthusiast. It was as impressive to the eye as the 300 series and still offered adequate performance. " Today 300SL's sell for well over $1. 00. 00. ALL CARS SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE - SOLD AS-ISFor more information call John at 786. 521. 0800