1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

In 1954, Mercedes-Benz displayed the 190 SL as a show car; the production version followed a short while later, in 1955, at the Geneva Auto Show. Production delays were caused by alterations aimed at strengthening the shortened platform to compensate for the open body's reduced stiffness. When new, it had a base price of nearly $4,000 for the soft top or $4,300 for the optional removable hardtop. During its production lifespan, a total of 25,881 examples of the 190SL were produced. Seventy percent were sent to the United States.

The Mercedes-Benz was an 'affordable' alternative to the expensive, race-bred sports car - the 300SL. Although less expensive, it was no less refined. They were based on the 180 saloon and fitted its all-independently-suspended running gear. Development was headed by Fritz Nallinger, and Walter Hacker led styling under Mercedes-Benz design head Karl Wilfert, whose team included a young Paul Bracq, who later garnered acclaim for the 230/250/280SL and 600 lines.

Power was from a 1897cc overhead-camshaft four-cylinder - the first such engine ever to be placed in a Mercedes-Benz. The M121 engine was given twin Solex downdraft carburetors and produced just over 100 horsepower. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 13 seconds, with a top speed achieved at 107 miles per hour. It had a unit-body of steel construction with a subframe that supported the front suspension and engine. Weigh was reduced with the use of aluminum for the doors, trunk, hood, dash and other parts. The suspension was independent all around with A-arms and coil springs at the front and low-pivot swing axles at the rear with coil springs. The floor-mounted four-speed manual transmission transmitted the power to rear wheels and Alfin drums with a vacuum booster provided the braking.

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL was a sophisticated sports car with comfort and superior build quality. Internally designated 'W121,' the production-ready 190SL earned design accolades in Holland, Switzerland, and at France's Grand Prix d'Elegance. Although it was not designed with racing pretensions, it was nonetheless effective in competition with limited but effective factory support for preferred dealers and privateers. Among the notable accomplishments was a victory in 1956 at the rainy Macao Grand Prix and the under 2.0-litre class win at Casablanca.

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL outsold the 300SL by a factor of eight to one.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019