1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with Hardtop - Right-Hand Drive

The 1955 launch of the 190 SL, 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, the majority 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 destined for the British market stood at 562, with only 53 of these arriving here in 1962.

This lovely 190SL is understood to have been delivered to a lady in Yorkshire and registered on the 18th May 1962, supplied in the attractive combination of white coachwork and red interior, with a matching white hard-top. The car was bought soon after by Mr John Mantell only being driven on the odd special occasion and kept very much for Sunday best. Following a bicycle accident in 1984, Mr Mantell never drove again and the car remained in dry storage until 2007, as confirmed by a poignant letter by Mrs Mantell. It was sold at auction in September 2007 together with its hardtop and showing an odometer reading of some 12,000 miles. Still on the private registration "23 CWF" it was subsequently sold again in 2009, with the auction catalogue stating that the “12,400 miles on the clock is believed to be absolutely genuine”. We had the privilege of consigning and selling “23 CWF” in July 2015, and the car then, as now, is a testament to our previous vendor’s care and attention.

He set about a meticulous programme of sympathetic restoration works, compiling a photographic record at the same time. Most of the original mechanical components were retained, where possible, whilst parts that could not be refurbished were sourced directly from Mercedes-Benz through Jacksons of Poole. As expected from such a low mileage example, "23 CWF" is a fully matching-numbers car with engine, transmission, front and rear axles confirmed factory original by the data-card obtained from Mercedes-Benz Heritage. The photos of all number-stamped components can be found in the history file, and the car remains on Solex carburettors.

The interior is remarkable with Becker Radio and tool kit present and we note with professional enthusiasm that the odometer and milometer show the occasional faded number as they tick over, with those digits that remained static during the decades in storage discoloured slightly. Externally the car was treated to a professional bare-metal respray in the original colour of "DB-050" white, whilst the bright work was re-polished to an exquisitely deep shine. Amazingly, after sixty-one years, the car also retains its original fuel filler cap complete with the three-pronged star. The original hard top was not restored, acting as a cover note of the car’s originality and superfluous to use like all 190 SL hard tops, whilst the hood was re-trimmed in black mohair and fits well.

At the time of consignment to our sale in July 2015, the mileage was 14,354 miles, and the determined bidder at that year’s Silverstone Classic Auction saw off stiff competition to secure the car. The buyer, our vendor, was delighted with “23 CWF” and every year since has gifted the Silverstone Auctions team several crates of beer on the anniversary of his purchase! Bought with the intention of fair-weather touring in semi-retirement with his wife, he sourced matching fitted luggage and added power steering. Often exercised locally, having covered a few hundred miles since 2015, our vendor has no intention of retiring yet, so this very special 190 SL is regretfully offered to auction with its delightful history file, V5C, tool kit, luggage and hard top present.

*Please note that the photographs displayed are from 2015 and we will endeavour to supply up-to-date images prior to the auction.