1962 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 car we have the honour of selling today, has the distinction of being one of those 53 British cars sold in right-hand drive form. Delivered to its first registered keeper, Mr John Mantell, on the 18th May 1962, the vehicle was used sparingly and thereafter stored until its sale in 2007 with an odometer reading of circa 12,000 miles. A poignant letter received by the vendor from Mr Mantell"s widow testifies to the low mileage of "23 CWF" when it was sold in 2007. In the letter, which is in the history file, Mrs Mantell confirms the car was used sparingly and very much kept for “Sunday best”. Following a bicycle accident in 1984 her husband never drove again, the car remaining in storage until it was winched onto a trailer in 2007 to be sold at auction for the first time in forty five years.

"23 CWF" was subsequently sold again in 2009, with the auction catalogue stating that it had covered just 900 miles since its sale in 2007. At the time of consignment, the mileage reads 14,354 miles. The vendor informs us that some of the odometer numbers are slightly discoloured, as a result of being kept in storage and having remained static for twenty four years. We anticipate the mileage to creep upwards slightly as the current vendor cannot resist taking the car for summer spins and a little boulevarding, for which this striking Mercedes is eminently suitable.

When the vendor bought the car he set about re-commissioning "23 CWF". A full programme of sympathetic restoration and replacement of various service items was undertaken, whilst still retaining as many original mechanical components as possible. Those items that were not meticulously restored were sourced directly from Mercedes-Benz through Jacksons of Poole, the long established classic Mercedes-Benz parts supplier. As might be expected from such a low mileage example, "23 CWF" is a fully matching numbers car with engine, transmission, front and rear axles and even the steering box corresponding with the original build sheet obtained from Mercedes-Benz Heritage, which along with photos of all number stamped components can be found in the history file. Externally the car was treated to a professional and immaculate bare metal re-spray in the original paint code "050" white, whilst the bright work was re-polished to an exquisitely deep shine. Amazingly, after fifty three years, the car also retains its original fuel filler cap complete with the three-pronged star. The original hard top has never been restored but the soft top was recovered in black mohair.

The interior is beautifully patinated and original, and the condition is incredible. The glove box mounted, hand wound clock keeps perfect time. The original Becker Europa radio works, all the dials appear to show correct readings and the original tool kit is also supplied with the car. The engine idles beautifully on its twin Solex carburettors and behaves impeccably in traffic. Rarely does a car that has been sympathetically restored, retaining so many original mechanical components perform so effortlessly on the road. The car will be presented at auction freshly serviced and with an MOT valid to March 2016.