1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

• A very attractive, right-hand drive 190SL in a great colour combination with a factory hardtop
• Powered by a 1,897cc overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine and matching numbers
• Fully restored to a very high standard
• Finished in a lovely shade of metallic mid-blue with a brilliant red leather interior
• Excellent dash with restored instruments, correct Bakelite steering wheel and its original push-button radio
• The odometer reads 50,068 miles (not warranted) and we understand the car has had a recent brake overhaul

The 190SL was introduced in 1955, the year Mercedes-Benz swept all before it on the Mille Miglia with the 300SLR, and the graceful new two-door 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 1,897cc that produced some 105bhp, which was sufficient to propel the car to a maximum speed of 112mph. The engine was coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox operated by a lever between the seats. 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. Under the circumstances, even the steep asking price did nothing to deter purchasers and by 1963, when production ceased, over 25,000 had found homes.

This smart 190SL was built during December 1958 in right-hand drive and was destined for Australia. We understand it was fully restored to a very high standard by NW Neale around 15 years ago. Our vendor has owned the car for 10 years using it occasionally and has covered around 2,000 miles in that period during which it has been serviced and maintained by a local specialist and Mercedes Scotland who displayed it in their showroom for 6 months.

The car presents superbly in a lovely shade of metallic mid-blue with a brilliant red leather interior. The cabin is excellent with just the right level of patination and the dashboard has been sympathetically restored with good chrome, clear instruments, the correct Bakelite steering wheel and its original 'Highway Hi-Fi' push-button radio. The odometer indicates just over 50,000 miles but naturally, this can't be warranted. The engine bay is virtually in showroom condition, the wheel trims appear unmarked and the car is supplied with a factory hardtop.

This lovely, right-hand drive 190SL is in tip-top condition and sensibly guided considering its quality.