1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster

• Fabulous, left-hand drive, example of Mercedes' timeless 190SL that's spent most of its life in the US
• Imported to the UK and allocated the period Registration Number 522 YUG
• Subject to an engine change in the past but largely academic in a car of this quality
• Fully restored and now strikingly presented in Fire Engine Red
• The interior is really impressive with quality Tan leather and Biscuit-coloured cord carpets
• Smart body-coloured dashboard with good switchgear, chrome bezels and a period radio
• The original Cream Bakelite steering wheel and gear lever knob are in good condition
• Supplied with a very rare hardtop, new black soft top and tan hood cover
• We understand that this little Mercedes runs beautifully and seems very sensibly guided for this amount of quality and style 

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.

The car we have here is a 190SL dating from 1960 that appears to have spent much of its life in the US of A. There is not too much history prior to its arrival here, and it would appear that at some point the engine appears to have been replaced, however, for a car of this era, in this condition, that's not really a concern. What is important, however, is the level of detail and the remarkable quality of its restoration, standards not often encountered. The overall look of the car with its even panel gaps and tight shut lines suggest that a substantial amount of time has been spent preparing the bodywork prior to the application of umpteen coats of Fire Engine Red (believe it or not that was a factory colour in period). The interior is really impressive with quality Tan leather and Biscuit-coloured cord carpets. The dashboard presents well with good switchgear and chrome bezels and the Cream Bakelite steering wheel and gear lever knob are in good condition. The hood cover matches the interior and in addition to the new soft top, the 190 is accompanied by a very rare hard top. The engine bay presents exactly as you might expect from a restoration of this standard and whilst it was possible to convert it to right-hand drive during the restoration, Continental touring is so much easier with left-hand drive. Now UK-registered, we understand that the car runs beautifully and seems very sensibly guided for this amount of quality and style.

Imagine yourself on a June evening in this lovely 50s Mercedes, boulevarding through the colourful streets of Villefranche-sur-Mer, enjoying the warm Cote d'Azure air, turning left onto the quayside and rolling gently to a halt by the terrace outside La Mere Germain, to the polite applause of the knowledgeable diners who always appreciate a stunning classic. It doesn't have to be a dream. The car is here and the Restaurant is still there. Why not?