1962 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

The 190 SL has often lived in the shadow of its more glamorous sibling, the 300 SL. Where the latter was bred for motorsport and fitted with exotic gullwing doors and fuel injection, the 190 SL was aimed at a different kind of driver — someone more interested in style and touring than outright speed. That said, to call the 190 SL a “lesser” car is to miss the point entirely.

This particular 1962 example shows exactly why the 190 SL has come into its own in recent years. Finished in Hellblau, a light, almost icy blue that suits the body lines beautifull and paired with a near perfect tan leather interior that softens the look and gives it a warm, period-correct feel.

What really sets this car apart is its history. Originally sold in Oregon, it’s had just three owners and comes with a full service record going back to 1981. Alongside the original manual and service book, there’s even a factory 190 SL parts catalog included — the sort of documentation that makes life easier for anyone serious about vintage Mercedes ownership. More charming still are the letters between the owner and the car’s painter — small details, but the kind that show how much this car has been cared for.

Since 2012, quite a bit of thoughtful work has been done. A new soft-top and frame, a freshly trimmed interior, and modern electronic ignition (1-2-3 Ignition) have all been added — upgrades that improve day-to-day usability without sacrificing the car’s originality. The Becker Europa radio is still there too, adding a touch of mid-century authenticity.

Driving it, you're reminded this isn’t a sports car in the modern sense — or even in the 300 SL sense. The 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine is smooth and unhurried, matched with a relaxed suspension setup and light steering. The 190 SL isn’t trying to be fast; it’s about the experience — top down, engine humming, road stretching ahead. Where the 300 SL feels like a precision instrument, the 190 SL feels more like a perfectly aged mechanical watch — less about performance, more about grace.

In many ways, this is the car that better represents what Mercedes-Benz was offering to most of its clientele in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. The 300 SL was an outlier — a halo car. The 190 SL, though, was attainable, and this example shows just how good they can be when properly maintained. It has patina where it matters, updates where it counts, and a clear story behind it.

If you're after a 190 SL that’s been driven, loved, and preserved without being overdone, this one’s worth a serious look. It might not be the headliner of the SL family, but it’s the one most of us would actually want to live with.

More information and +50 pictures: www.marreyt.com

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