The Mercedes SL is one of the few true legends of the automotive world. For over seven decades, the sports car with stars all over the world has been charming enthusiastic enthusiasts. Among them remains the 190 SL, the little brother of the Mighty 300 SL, a favorite of an insider.
Since its unveiling in the mid -1950s, the Mercedes 190 SL had not had an easy time. This is not due to its elegant styling or the modest 1.9-liter four-cylinder under the bonnet-obsistingly, this does not contribute to strengthening its presence in the garages of the collective fabrics. The real problem is his sibling, the 300 SL, which throws a long shadow. The success of the Gullwing, the breathtaking design and the groundbreaking technology made it an automotive.
It is worth noting that the Mercedes 190 SL of the W 121 series was unveiled next to the 300 SL at the New York Auto Show in 1954. His tender styling borrowed from the 215-hp gullwing, although the smaller SL was only offered as a roadster with two seats. Buyers could have a hardtop for all year round or even a third seat for sideways to make it a three -seater. While the 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine produced a relatively modest 77 kW / 105 hp, designer Josef Müller explained at the time: “It is intended for a clientele who wants to cover long distances at high speed in a car that looks very sporty, but is also very comfortable.” From 1955 to 1963 and before the successor W 113 “Pagoda” was arrived, around 26,000 examples of the 190 SL were built in Sindelfingen.
Although the 190 SL shares the design language with the 300 SL, it was technically derived from the “Ponton” holes in the W 120 /121 area introduced in 1956. It borrowed elements such as the shortened floor area, the front suspension and the subframe concept from these four-door models. Back then and now the 190 SL remains a relaxed, relaxed cruiser than a sharp sports car. But its compact footprint and the manageable weight enable a top speed of 170 km/h and a sprint of 0–100 km/h in 14.5 seconds. His speedometer – leaning out of the 300 SL and scaled to 270 km/h – makes more braver promises than the car can deliver. The 190 SL cost over 17,000 German marks in 1955 in 1955 with a fabric roof and an optional aluminum (later steel).
During its production, the Mercedes 190 SL was continuously updated in accordance with the rest of the Mercedes area. The upgrades included an accumulation, a steel hardtop (later with a panoramic window), larger rear lamps, seat belts, a windshield washer system and AB 1961-a revised engine. Important improvements such as disc brakes, increased performance and automatic transmission were reserved for the more assertive pagoda successor. A light competition version was also offered in extremely low numbers for Hill rising and rally, but only a handful of was built before 1956. Today there are many replicas – especially in the USA – often equipped with modified carburettors and matched to around 130 hp.
Well -cut examples with clear stories start at around € 65,000, while the cars have been completely or partially restored between 100,000 and 120,000 euros in excellent condition. This puts the stylish W 121 on the W 113 pagoda and far below the 300 SL, which has long since exceeded the million-euro threshold.
