1955 Mercedes 190SL

1955 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Additional Info:

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1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

Little introduction is needed for the Mercedes-Benzs 190SL, there well loved, two-door grand touring roadster that was produced from May 1955 until February of 1963. A prototype was first shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show where it was warmly received with orders for new examples pouring in. The 190SL was sold alongside the faster, more expensive Mercedes-Benz 300SL, which it closely resembled both in its styling, engineering, detailing. Both featured fully independent suspension, with both cars having double wishbone suspensions at the front and swing axles at the rear. The 190SL did not use the 300SL’s purpose-built tubular spaceframe W198 platform, but was built on a shortened monocoque R121 platform that was modified from the W121 small saloon.

The 190SL was powered by a new, slightly oversquare 1.9-liter straight-four SOHC engine (Type M121 BII), that developed 120 bhp at 5,700 rpm. The four-cylinder engine block of the 190SL was based on the six-cylinder engine of the 300SL. The 85mm bore was transferred unchanged from the larger engine to the smaller, although the stroke for the 190SL was reduced from 88.0mm to 83.6mm. The car was available either as a soft-top convertible priced $3,998 or with a removable hardtop $4,295. Optional was a third-passenger transverse seat that could almost even fit an adult. During its first years the 190SL was available as a sports-racing model with small perspex windscreen and spartan one-piece leather covered bucket seats and aluminum doors. Competition aspirations were modest but there were several class victories in a variety of different international events. Both the 190SL and the 300SL were replaced by the Mercedes-Benz 230SL in 1963 but even out of production, both of these timeless classics have had a following that remains ever faithful and loyal to the marque.

Chassis No. 190SL/121.042-6502387
This particular 190SL was a standard production, normal “North American Market” export model. According to the Mercedes Factory Records, it was completed under Commission No. 770 490 on May 30th, 1956. The following individual component numbers and codes are specific to this vehicle:

Chassis No. 190SL/121.042-6502387
Body No. A121.042-6501787
Engine No. 121.921.-10-020932
Gearbox No. 6502389
Rear Axle No. W190
Rear Axle Ratio 3/9
Front Left Axle No. 6502499
Right Front Axle No. 6502499
Steering Box No. 6502433
Exterior Paint White (Code 50G)
Interior Color Red Leather (Code 1079)

The early history of this vehicle is no known however over the past decade after having been extensively updated, sorted and set up, it has been used extensively and competitively around the world in various historic tours and rallies. Today it remains ready for immediate enthusiastic use with all services current and up to date with new, no-time fresh tires on all four corners. Engine compression is perfect and even from 155lbs to 165lbs on all cylinders.

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