1957 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL, announced in 1954, was based on the 180 saloon and used its all-independent suspension running gear. The 190 SL did not enter production until January of 1955, the delay being attributed to alterations aimed at strengthening the saloon's shortened platform to compensate for the open body's reduced stiffness. The body was mounted on a detachable subframe and given a 1897cc overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine backed by a four-speed manual gearbox. The M121 power unit was fitted with twin Solex downdraft carburetors and offered 105 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 171 km/h.

The 190 SL proved to be very popular, especially in the United States. Between 1955 and 1964, slightly fewer than 26,000 examples were sold.

This particular example left the factory on October 30th of 1957 and was sent to Los Angeles, California. It was finished in 050 white with a black hardtop and black leather interior. It was sold new to Mrs. Margaret Ann Maloney of Beverly Hills, California. She later sold it to Frank Montano Gradillas of Venice, California in 1971. Mr. Gradillas would own the car until 1977 at which point it wound up on a used car lot. It was discovered there by Lorne Wilton of El Segundo, California, who would own it for the next 37 years.

The current caretaker purchased the car in 2014.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016