Mercedes-Benz W121 190 SL Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz W 121 190 SL Roadster

In September 1953, the US importer of Daimler-Benz, Max Hoffman, presented to the company board his ideas for increasing the US business. He wished for two differently designed sports car models as a supplement to the conservative Mercedes model range. For the concept of a real sports car, the racing coupe 300 SL of 1952, which had achieved attention in the USA by winning the Carrera Panamericana, was the base. In addition to this, a sporty touring car with high practicality should be offered. Hoffman was promised that from 6 to 14 February 1954, a study of these vehicles in New York at the "International Motor Sports Show" could be issued. Despite the extremely short development time of just five months prototypes of the 300 SL and 190 SL were made, which were enthusiastically received by visitors to the New York Auto Show and the trade press. The development of the 300 SL was already well advanced, so the production could begin in August 1954. During the year 1954, the bodywork design team of Walther Häcker made several optical retouchings on the New York version of the 190 SL in order to bring this vehicle closer to the shape of the 300 SL designed by Friedrich Geiger. For example, the removal of the air scoop on the hood and retouching on flashing lights, grille, bumpers, rear fender and dashboard. The first revised 190 SL was shown in March 1955 at the Geneva Motor Show. Serial production began two months later at the Sindelfingen plant, where the 300 SL was also produced. The originally targeted maximum speed of 190 km / h could not be realized. In practice, the maximum was already reached at about 170 km / h. At the IAA 1955 in Frankfurt am Main the base price of the most expensive variant "coupe with hardtop essay and fabric top was at 17,650 DM, which corresponds to today's purchasing power and inflation-adjusted 45,200 euros. A Porsche 356 cost then 13,000 DM. With some additional equipment, the price of a 190 SL could rise to over 20,000 DM. For the half of a Mercedes 180 Ponton limousine was available. The selling price in the US was lower than in Germany. With 25,881 built vehicles, the concept of a touring car based on the high-volume technology proved successful. The 190 SL embodied in the still young Federal Republic of Germany of the economic miracle the "we-are-who-who-feeling" and was a popular car in many German feature films of this era. The success of the vehicle can be summarized in the following three points: a comfortable touring car with the sporty design of the 300 SL and responsive performance, compared to other touring sports vehicles relatively unpretentious serial technology and easy handling, and impressive versatility.

The vehicle offered here was completed in June 1961 at the factory for the US market and then shipped to Los Angeles, California, where the car remained until 2004. In December 2004 the car was sold and transported to Holland, where the car was extensively restored over the next 2 years. Extensive restoration documentation of this is of course available. The hardtop, which was also restored, deserves special mention at this point, as this is often not included in a restoration due to the high costs of the repair. We hand over this vehicle including a new service and TÜV to its future owner. Our sales staff will be happy to answer any detailed questions you may have at any time. Please note that vehicle inspections are generally only possible by prior appointment.