Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster

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Launched in 1955, the Mercedes-Benz 190SL was a beautifully refined cruiser aimed at the mere mortals who could not afford its hyper-expensive race-bred sibling, the mighty 300SL, which it closely resembled.

Sharing the same wheelbase as the 300, it also had similar double wishbone suspension at the front and swing axles at the rear. However, the 190 did not use the 300's purpose-built tubular spaceframe platform, but was instead built on the shortened monocoque platform of the 180 saloon, with aluminium doors, bonnet and boot-lid to save weight.

Power came from an all-new 1.9-litre overhead-cam straight-four producing around 110bhp that combined 100+mph performance with 25-30mpg economy. With a four-speed manual synchromesh gearbox, servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes and excellent handling, the car was in a league of its own when it came to refinement and build quality.

Even today, a well-sorted example is one of those rare classics that you could hop into and drive to the heel of Italy with no fear of getting stranded on the way. In total around 25,800 examples were made before production came to an end in 1963, the vast majority in left-hand drive.

As the original purchase invoice confirms, this particular car was supplied new to its first American owner by Harry Davis Studebaker of Waynesboro, PA, in June 1958. Not much is known of the subsequent history of the car but it appears to have remained in Pennsylvania for the next three decades and more, being in the care of one Bob Speer of Pittsburgh, PA, by 1992.

He restored the car in 1992, correspondence on file stating that the bodywork was found to be in good, rust-free condition when it was stripped and repainted in the wonderful powder blue shade that you see today. The engine and gearbox were also rebuilt at the same time, a new clutch and pressure plate fitted along with new Mikuni carbs in place of the original Solex units, and the seats retrimmed in the correct materials. Other work was subsequently carried out including a new water pump, front wheel bearings, rear exhaust section and a brake servo overhaul.

A new windscreen was also fitted, along with the rubber seal, and the frame was rechromed. The rear trailing arm attachment point was also reinforced, this being known to be one of the few weak points of the model. Once the restoration was completed the car was in regular use, clocking up some 8,000 miles in the next 10 years and winning several awards at shows, always proving very reliable. 

The previous owner acquired the car from Mr Speer in June 2002 and had it imported to the UK where it was first registered in February 2003. He kept it for five years before selling it to the current owner in June 2007. Since it came to the UK it has always been in light regular use, clocking up some 4,500 miles, the odometer currently reading 87,600 miles. Recently fitted with a new soft top, the car also comes with an original hard top although this is in need of some refurbishment.

Appearing to be in good condition throughout, the car is said to drive well and certainly ran beautifully when we were treated to a short test drive on the occasion of our visit. It comes with most old MOTs since importation to the UK, various bills and photographs documenting the restoration and subsequent maintenance, plus much technical literature relating to the model including an original owner’s handbook, a copy of a service manual and a very detailed technical manual produced by The 190SL Group. It also retains its original Becker Mexico radio, this now being a collector's item in its own right.

On the button and ready to go, it looks good value at the sensible guide price suggested given the way that values of this model have rocketed in recent times, with top examples now fetching comfortably in excess of £100,000. Another one to buy now while you can still afford to, perhaps.