1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Built alongside and sharing many of the iconic styling features of the legendary 300SL Roadster, the Mercedes 190SL combined superlative build quality with understated styling and a not insignificant, 104 BHP from the 1.9 litre four stroke engine. An instant hit, the three-pronged star sparkled among the gloom of post-war austerity. The 1955 launch of the 190SL, cemented Mercedes Benz"s reputation as the car manufacture for those who wanted elegance, build quality and a good turn of speed. Its hugely successful production ran to 25,881 cars from 1955 until 1963, mainly in left-hand drive form, with most going to the North American market. Understandably few were made in right-hand drive and according to records, the total number of cars consigned for the British market stood at 562, with only 53 of these arriving here in 1962.

The left-hand drive 190SL offered here, is a manual gearbox car on its original Solex carburettors and was first registered in California in 1960. Its period black California plates are still with the car. The car was sold to N.P.Storgaard in Denmark in 2003, who kept it until 2013 before passing it on to another Danish collector who was its custodian for the following two years.

In classic Mercedes-Benz Silver with a bright red interior, this little German roadster looks fabulous sitting squarely on its period whitewall tyres. The interior of this 190 is a cocktail of chromium, glossy silver metal, black instruments, quality red carpets, white Bakelite and shiny red leather and is a wonderful place to be. The exterior looks to be in very good condition with excellent chrome and brightwork, the hood looks recent and under the bonnet everything is tidy and functional.

There are a number of invoices with the car relating to service/ repair work carried out during its time in Denmark and the car is currently on Danish papers. This pretty little Mercedes-Benz roadster is practical and usable, and is ready to spend, what's left of our Summer, burbling around the Cotswolds.