1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

The first iteration of the 'SL' class of 'grand tourers' was the 300 SL, and at the time of its introduction was the fast production car. Introduced in 1954 as a two-seater coupe with unique gull-wing doors, an open roadster soon followed. The 300 SL was very popular in coupe and roadster form with total production reaching 3,258 cars.

For those seeking a more attainable version of the 300 SL, Mercedes-Benz offered a more affordable and less exotic version called the 190 SL. It was announced in 1954 and entered production in January of 1955. It made its debut at the New York International Auto Show in February of 1954, resting alongside its 300 SL Gull Wing Coupe sibling. It was based on a shortened platform of the 180 Saloon and used its all-independently-suspended running gear. It had a unit-body of steel construction with a detachable subframe that supported the engine, steering, front suspension, and four-speed manual gearbox. Aluminum was used extensively throughout including the hood, trunk, dash, doors, and other components.

The 1,897cc overhead-camshaft four-cylinder M121 engine had twin Solex downdraft carburetors and produced 105 horsepower at 5,700 RPM. It was slightly oversquared, based on the 300 SL's straight-six, with an unchanged 85 mm bore and a 4.3mm reduced stroke to 83.6mm. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 14.5 seconds and top speed was achieved at 107 mph. The transmission was a four-speed, fully synchronized unit (with a standard axle ratio of 3.90:1) and braking was handled by power-assisted drums. Steering was by a recirculating ball. The front suspension was comprised of double wishbones, coil springs, and stabilizer bars while the rear had a swing axle and coil springs.

Body styles included a soft-top convertible or a removable hardtop. The concept of optional equipment was relatively new, and those offered on the 190 SL made it even more attractive to the public who could now custom tailer their automobile to satisfy their individual taste. Items included ostentatious color schemes, the aforementioned soft and hardtops, sports racing options, accessories, and seats.

Production continued until 1963, with 25,881 examples built.

Legacy
The 190 SL was a sophisticated sports car that offered comfort, build quality, and performance at an affordable price. It was well received by the sporting public and remains highly sought after in modern times.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020