This incredible car shown here is a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster, 1 of approximately 104 total examples produced for the 1963 model year, and 1 of just around 562 total examples to be built in right-hand drive configuration, of which around only 250 are believed to still exist to this day. The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W121) was first shown to the world at the 1954 New York Auto Show, and subsequently, between the years 1955 and 1963, Mercedes Benz built 25,881 190 SL in total. The 190SL offered an attractive alternative to the very limited, and expensive 300 SL model at the time. Mercedes only made 3,258 300 SL models, and ultimately, the price difference between the two models was substantial. In the 50’s the 300 SL costed around $10,000 USD, while the 190SL was about $5,000 USD. In today’s current market, the famous 300 SL gullwing cars can be found selling easily for millions of dollars, and as for the 190SL, a major value increase has also been seen, with some pristine examples selling for over $100,000USD! The 190 SL came powered from the factory by a 1.9L straight-four that’s good for about 105 horsepower. It’s loosely based on the 300 SL’s straight-six engine being that it shares a few of the same components. The 190 SL was offered as a soft top convertible, or a removable hard top convertible, and in 1959, the 190SL’s rear window was drastically increased in size leading to all pre-1959 models to be referred to as “small window” cars. This 190SL is clearly a “big window” soft top convertible, manufactured after 1959 with its correct enlarged rear window. It’s widely mentioned that the hard top, large window, 190 SL cars were some of the most desirable amongst all 190 SL models made. Both the 300 SL & the 190 SL were replaced in 1963 by the Mercedes Benz 230SL.
How many made? 1 of 104 built in 1963, 1 of 562 total examples produced in RHD configuration.
Engine: 1,897 cc M121 SOHC I4
Debut: A prototype was first shown at the New York Auto Show of 1954
Top Speed: around 106mph
0-60mph: around 13.8 seconds
Photo Credit: @dorifutography
Research: @rarecarsonly