There’s been much said about the seemingly immediate uptick in values for the Mercedes-Benz 190SL. If we’ve learned anything over the past few months, it’s that several rusty projects have come to life to ride the coattails of decent examples. That’s why this 1958 190SL found here on eBay has been bid up to over $72,000 with 8 days still to go! It’s an original, family-owned car and without any glaring issues. When classics begin to hit their stride on the collector market, we’re often distracted by the worst examples. This car stayed with the same family for 45 years and looks largely complete, including the factory hardtop. I’m guessing the interior had to have been redone at some point as it’s stunningly clean for an original. I think the current price is fair; do you?
When I was in college in the ’70’s, a friend of mine drove one of these. It was considered a valuable collectible even back then.
Francisco,
When I glanced at your note, I thought ” I don’t recall writing that” as I was going to write about my College Mercedes experience. When I was in law school in the 70’s (it was 1970 through 1973) a friend of mine bought a 190 roadster, light blue for $1800.00. That was about 1/2 the price of a new Chev Impala Super Sport or a Dodge Charger. I had the latter, a 1966 Dodge Charger Hemi with 4sp. I bought a 1974 Charger, but did not tradethe ’66 because the trade in value was $250.00. I left it at my folks place and Dad decided to get it out of the way so he forged my name signing the title himself and selling it for $500.00. The guy who bought it thought it had 38K miles when it was 138K. One of the mechanics at the Dodge dealer told the buyer–this is George’s car. It is amazing it looks brand new but has over 100K. The guy got really ticked that he had paid so much for it that he walked inside and sold it for $250 to the dealer who had sold it to me 8 years prior. It was all said and done by the time I came home and tried to find the guy and buy it back. They wholesaled it to a small independent dealer for $250.00. I was super ticked and I still get angry when I think about it now 40 years later when I am the same age Dad was when he sold it–74.
When I was just getting out of high-school, our shop teacher had one in silver. We kinda admired it, noticed its similarities with the 300sl, and yet knew from various sources that they were very under powered. Yes, though, we did comment that someday they would probably be worth a bunch. But who had $1500 to spend on a classic back in the 70’s? (his asking price when he decided to sell it). So I drove a 52 Chevy instead! My buddy had a little more money so he paid $2300 and got a really nice red and white 59 Vette. ….. Now, as a crafty fun thing to do, I make sets of “vintage” Baisch leather wrapped luggage to go in the trunks of these 190SL’s for a collector/restorer back east. He sells about 3 of them a year and puts my luggage in the trunk. Gets crazy prices for these restored SL’s! Wish I had one!
My uncle had one of these that he bought in 1965 and drove until 1973….he then pulled the engine and parked it in a storage facility until I helped him pull it out in 2007. He was getting it restored by a local guy on his off time and the garage burned down via arson…his car was a complete loss…and no one had insurance!
That’s terrible Tom! Is that photo of his car? If you could write up a short story about your Uncle and his car we would be happy to feature it on the site.
I’ll never understand these. So slow they can’t get out of their own way.
I just don’ get it with these cars. Even though it has a resemblance to the 300SL (itself not a particularly pretty car), it is just plain ugly & stodgy looking, couldn’t get out of its own way for life nor money. I have a 280SL which is three times the looks, performance, and sophistication of a 190SL, and worth a fair bit less. Methinks the 280SL will eventually have its day too…