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40 Years Stored: 1961 Mercedes 190SL

Someone may end up with an excellent restoration project depending on where the final bid falls on this 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL. Owned by the seller’s father for many years, it sat in the garage awaiting a restoration that never commenced. Now` offered at no reserve with piles of spare parts, the 190SL is listed here on eBay with bidding approaching $40K.

The 190SL never achieved the same status as its bigger and bolder sibling, the 300SL. That said, appreciation for the baby Benz has increased in recent years, and while this car may have some needs, it appears to be quite solid and carefully stored. The floors from this photo looks serviceable, but that opinion may change when viewed up close.

The pictures suggest the 190SL was stored carefully in its hiatus from the road. Seeing the carbs plugged up to prevent rodent intrusion is a positive sign in my book. However, there’s an aspect of the listing that I found worrisome, and that revolves around the use of the words “frame off”, as this would indicate there is far more rust hiding than what’s pictured here.

Still, even with some chassis rust repair, these cars are worth it. This one comes with the rare optional hardtop, and the eBay pictures show the next owner will likely be adding to their spare parts stash. The volume of extra parts included seems to indicate that the seller was preparing for a total restoration, and now it’s up to the next owner to see it through.

Comments

  1. Avatar Nevadahalfrack Member

    Hopefully this one is restored by a genuine enthusiast and driven again, as to see it refurbished as window dressing then languishing in a garage would be bordering on criminal IMHO.

    Like 6
  2. Avatar DayDreamBeliever

    The recent all-over spray hides a lot of sins, IMO. The seller isn’t kidding about what it will need. But people get glassy-eyed and skip over the rough stuff, and it costs them $$$.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar XMA0891

    Every time one of these comes along I cringe. My dad sold his cream over red ‘61 with “the rare optional hardtop” in the mid-‘70’s for $1,500. “There goes my inheritance” as they say… The junker Ford-or-something he likely bought in its stead… Oh dad; what were you thinking???

    Like 2
    • Avatar Nevadahalfrack Member

      Probably the same thing most of our dads were thinking-money in my pocket NOW guarantees food on my family’s table TONIGHT..

      Like 5
  4. Avatar Ralph Swan

    Seems high for a 190SL needing restoration before being able to move under its own power. You can find original rollers for the current pricing.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Skippy

    These cars have a sandwich floor pan that is nearly impossible and very very expensive to fix correctly. Looking at the trunk, lack of expensive parts, and n Ed to rebuild everything, this one is easily a $100k job that will bring maybe $120k if done perfectly. ($200k number is for perfect, low mileage mostly original cars, which this is not.). Well, it looks like they will get $40k or more for it, good for them and good luck to the buyer!

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Del

    Non running scrap for 40 gs ?

    Another joke

    Like 2
  7. Avatar treg forsyth

    It could be a good investment if it’s not rotten, when people come in to our chrome shop to replate a Ford Falcon bumper and cry about the price I just tell them, they are restoring the wrong car, these cars will get your money back someday at least, if they are done right.

    Like 0

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