1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Barn Find

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL is a two-door convertible produced between May 1955 and February 1963. The 190SL closely resembled in its styling, engineering and suspension its big brother, the 300 SL, however, the 190SL did not use the 300SL's purpose-built tubular space frame chassis, but was built instead on a modified, shortened saloon platform.

The 190SL was powered by a 1.9 L straight-four engine which developed 104hp, however the 190SL earned itself a reputation for not running that smoothly which was due to the difficulty in tuning the twin-choke dual Solex carburettors. However, when set up correctly the 190SL is a joy to drive and will reward the driver with a relaxed driving experience.

This late manufactured Mercedes-Benz 190SL is something close to 300th from the end of production. Sold new in Paris in 1962, the first owner kept it for eight years and it remains in single family ownership from that changeover in 1970 to today. It retains its first registration number from new, and is still registered in the name of only the second owner, despite passing through two generations of his family.

From 1977 at a time when the recorded mileage was, and still is, just 73,000kms, this car was laid up and forgotten about. Only recently was the car "rediscovered' and the family decision was made to sell. To a skilled craftsman this would be a far from daunting project. It is actually in very good condition for its age. It's solid, with only light rust in places but not rotten. The red leather interior is almost completely salvageable with no cracks or tears in the seating if the restorer of this car wanted to retain the patinated look that is only achieved after 30 years or more...

There is no soft-top roof, but importantly, the car is still married with its original hard-top and even retains some lovely unique features such as the clock in the lid of the glove box, rear over riders, and even its original radio. The official paint colour for this Mercedes is DB166, essentially a Blue/Grey colour perfectly suiting the contours and period of this car.

The car has only Weber carburettors so we assume the original Solex carbs must have been removed (as was common) and their whereabouts are unknown. The engine is believed to be seized though, to be fair, no heroic attempts have been made to start it.

Whilst relatively intimidating at first glance, we believe this to be a most worthwhile and manageable restoration project being as it is a solid basis from which to begin, in terms of not just physical condition, but its history also. Rarely do such opportunities present themselves.