1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster

In addition to its famed 300SL 'Gullwing', Mercedes-Benz in 9155 launched a lower-priced roadster with more modest performance. The car was the 190SL and the German automaker would produce more than 25,000 of them between 1955 and 1963.

Never known for its strong performance, the model was somewhat collector car world in the shadow of the 300SL until recently.

This example is a matching-numbers example that was built in Stuttgart, Germany, in 959. Although over 25,000 were originally manufactured between 1955 and 1963, fewer than 50 examples survive in this factory combination of Erdberrot (DB 543 Strawberry Metallic) paint with camel leather interior.

The car was purchased new by a couple from New York who specifically requested the Strawberry Metallic paint and a three-piece matching leather luggage set. The new owners traveled to Germany to take delivery of the car and then toured Europe for three months before shipping the 190 SL back home.

In 1997, the family sold the car to Slim Wheatley, who in turn sold the car in 2005 to its current owner in California. The car has been given a ground-up restoration that took well over a year. Following the comprehensive restoration, the 190SL was shown at venues including Rhinebeck, West Point and Hershey. In 2006, it won 1st Place at the Chico Concours and 2nd Place at the Palo Alto Concours. The following year it was invited to the Quail Motorsports Gathering in 2007. In 2008, it won 1st Place at the Carmel Concours on the Avenue.

The car has just 400 miles on the odometer since the restoration work was completed. It has the complete tool kit, gas can and luggage set.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $130,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $203,500, inclusive of buyer's premium.