1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

The race-bred 300SL sports car was joined in January of 1955 by a more affordable, less exotic (but no less refined) model known as the 190SL (W121). Announced in 1954, it shared its wheelbase size with its larger sibling, with a unit-body of steel construction with a subframe that supported the engine and front suspension. Weight was minimized via the use of aluminum for the doors, hood, trunk, dash, and various other parts.

The M121 1,897cc overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine breathed through twin Solex downdraft carburetors and offered 105 (120 bhp SAE / 105 BHP DIN) horsepower at 5,700 RPM. It had two fewer cylinders than the 300SL's straight-six upon which it was based, and kept the 85 mm bore but used a reduced stroke size of 83.6 mm. This engine was later used, in detuned form, on the W120 180 and W121 190 models.

Control of the 4-speed all-synchromesh transmission is floor mounted, and braking is via Alfin drums with a vacuum booster. The suspension was independent all around with A-arms and coil springs in front and a low-pivot swing axle with coil springs at the rear. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 14.5 seconds, and top speed was achieved at 171 km/h. It had 100 mph-plus performance with a sensible fuel economy rating of around 25 to 30 miles per gallon. Its suspension setup allowed for a more comfortable ride than any contemporary British sports car, and unlike the 180 saloon on which its mechanical components were based, it had a floor-mounted gearchange. Body styles included a two-seater convertible or coupe, with the soft-top convertible priced at approximately $4,000. A removable hardtop was optional for an additional $295. In 1959, the hardtop's rear window was enlarged.

A good percentage of the 25,881 examples produced were sent to the United States, with production lasting from 1955 to 1963. Both the 300 SL and the 190 SL were replaced in 1963 by the Mercedes-Benz 230SL.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2022