The 190 SL produced in November 1955 and delivered to the Belgian representative (IMA) in Brussels. The car was sold to the first owner in Brussels and registered in March 1956. In 1972 the car found a Mr. Steinhart in Valkenburg in the Netherlands, the car still being in full original condition. In 1974 the car was given a repaint in the original colour (the current paint!).
In 1976 the Mercedes was acquired by the current owner who was aged 24 years then! In the following decades the owner became a Board member of the Mercedes Club Holland (MBVC) and specialist in originality Co-owner and board member of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts Supply Foundation. Regretfully he cannot take care of the car anymore due to high age and health issues.
Restorations
Over the years the car has undergone several partial restorations. Sheet metal parts of the floor were renewed, the brakes were overhauled at a point in time, as were the carburettors, suspension, and exhaust system (now Stainless Steel). Also, the grille bezel was renewed and exchanged by a Stainless-Steel part.
In 1984 this Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was the subject of an article in the Dutch Autoweek Magazine, a large phot print of the photo shoot is stil present. On 24 February 2007 the car had driven 85.227 kilometres from new. In May 2008, the last improvements were carried out before the long storage period. The interior leather was renewed and a new Sonnenland hood (including the wood parts) was fitted by Horst Kronseder in Erding (Germany). Then the odometer was reading 93.000 kilometres.
The car was supplied new including a hard top, the owner had it fitted only twice since 1976. In the 1980s a rare original top-end Becker Mexico radio was installed featuring automatic channel search (untested), a pair of Hella spot lamps at the front, and a Bosch fog lamp at the rear.
This is a ‘matching mumbers’ car with the original engine and gearbox still fitted. Finished in original silver metallic combined with a blue leather interior and blue carpet. Blue Sonnenland hood and blue hood cover.
Current condition
This beautiful Mercedes 190 SL was garaged in 2009 after a local rally and has not turned a wheel until recently due to circumstances. We have saved this magnificent car from the darkness and kissed her back to life. The car was covered in grime and dust, so the car was washed and cleaned thoroughly, and the mechanicals were made running again with great care.
Currently the car is in fair driving condition. The car can be improved to become a great driver car with a full service, adjustments, and new tires. Or it can be the subject of a sympathetic restoration. The choice is to the new owner.
The car is being sold as is: A driving garage find in need of work. When serviced or restored this Mercedes-Benz will be a fantastic machine in the hands of a new proud ower. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is 1000 Miglia eligibel so the new owner can apply for participation in this legendary regularity event in Italy!
