1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL - UK Right-Hand Drive (Silver)

The 1955 launch of the 190 SL cemented Mercedes-Benz's reputation as the car manufacturer for those who wanted elegance, build quality and a good turn of speed. Unsurprisingly, most of the 26,000 units were sold to the North American market and, it's believed, just some 562 were made in right-hand drive. Although stunningly pretty, the 190 SL had stiff competition in the UK from domestic sports car manufacturers such as Jaguar, Austin-Healey and the significantly cheaper models from MG. Consequently, a UK-supplied 190 SL is perhaps the rarest of all sports cars from that era, especially compared to the huge amount of cars sold to countries who drive on the other side of the road.

Some would say that a car’s history is as important as its condition, and whilst restorations can be paid for, it is the story that elevates a car from lovely to interesting. We now have the pleasure of telling this car’s story which began when it was first registered, appropriately enough on New Years Day 1961, to the first owner, a Mr Beach of Twickenham. Supplied in red with a black interior, the car was issued with the registration number 56 HYL and we are pleased to say that the car still bears that registration today, and will do for the next owner. The accompanying buff continuation logbook, stamped 25th May 1972, is signed by Mr Beach and notes the car’s colour, chassis and engine numbers.

One day in 1998, our lady vendor was strolling past Mr Beach’s house and noticed the 190 SL in the open garage. Lengthy negotiations were started and the car was finally purchased from its first owner by our vendor. It appears that it had not run for many years and the subsequent restoration was a labour of love that took over twenty-years, which our vendor concedes was to a good, usable standard, rather than to Concours-winning condition. The colour was changed to silver, the interior retrimmed in red leather and topped by a black soft top hood with the original interior fittings retained where possible.

Very rarely does a 61 old car come to market with just two owners from new, and few have the original owner’s details listed in a buff logbook. The odometer reading of 53,498 miles, at the time of cataloguing, is believed genuine, in keeping with the car’s decades away from the road. Sensibly guided, it's presented to auction with the current V5C showing just one former keeper, the aforementioned buff continuation logbook, a fresh MOT Certificate and the distinction of being a 190 SL with the lowest ownership history offered to market in some time.