Without knowing for certain, I imagine that we are looking at a 1960 Mercedes 190 SL that started down a restoration path years ago and then came to an abrupt stop. Lack of time, money, interest, space, or worse, it’s hard to say with certainty but here it sits, looking none too complete or functional. T.J. gets the nod for discovering this Santa Ana, California find for us. It’s available, here on craigslist for $37,500.
So the paint, trim, accessories, and what have you have been removed and what’s left after barn slumming for 49 years is a rough and naked-looking SL. The seller indicates that we’re working with a 95% complete California car here but he states the obvious – it needs to be restored. The body has so much rough surface rust that it’s hard to tell where that stops and perforation starts. Regardless, that passenger-side fender looks completely shot. The removable hardtop, however, looks fine, better than the rest of the entire car actually, and the white folding soft top is still in place – one thing that hasn’t been removed.
The interior is still in possession of its black bucket seats and they, surprisingly, don’t look half bad. There’s a stripped steering wheel in place too, but that’s about it – the rest of the interior’s appointments are in boxes. Speaking of boxed parts, the big, Germanic, instrument panel gauges are clean and clear, so that’s a positive.
The 122 HP, 1.9 liter in-line, four-cylinder engine shows as if it has been silent for years. Nothing is said about it other than it’s the original number-matching powerplant. Whether it’s stuck or not is another matter and not disclosed but it’s obviously a non-runner. The sole transmission available in ’60 was a four-speed manual gearbox and that’s what’s installed here.
So the good news is everything needed is included in the sale minus only a single missing bumper edge (that must be the 5%). And of course, that’s assuming that you like assemble-it-yourself projects. The bad news is the body is really going to need a lot of effort and you know how those things go, the more you dig, the more you find. And you know, the next owner is probably going to find something more than just a bumper edge missing – it just happens.
The 190 SL (’55-63) are popular cars and, in restored form, bring big $$$. They’re really not rare as there were almost 26K produced over the model’s nine production years and they turn up, regularly, in every imaginable condition. Regardless of the end game, $37,500 seems like a bridge too far considering this car’s unassembled and challenging condition. If a 190 SL floated my boat, I think I’d keep looking, what says you?
seller indicates that the” car is 95% complete car (see photographs) ”
I saw the photograhs ,but I think I need to change my glasses because this car is 5% complete and it’s rusting in peace.
My 1st car was a 1955 190SL. Bought it in 1971 and drove it my Senior year in high school. Rusted body / frame but it ran and passed NY State inspection at the time. All of the gauges worked including the clock and Becker Europa radio. The leather throughout was in decent shape. I put studded snow tires on it and drove through the winter in Rochester, NY. Couldn’t have a car on campus as a college freshman so I sold it for $1800.00. Paid $500.00 for it. Thought I made a killing!
Even if I loved these cars I wouldn’t take this one on, particularly at this price.
“page not found” getting out.
Only $37,500.00? I’m going to race to the bank:-)
There was one of these in similar condition sitting at a local wreckers lot back in 1986. I assumed that they set It aside from getting crushed because its a pretty interesting car. I wonder where it is today.
The only reason these cars are worth anything is their relation to the 300SL which are selling in the million dollar range. All about status, not substance.
Anyone itching to buy this pile would be better off to buy a nice MGB and put a Mercedes grill on it.
Run. This is a rusty hulk, and restoring it correctly (important word) will cost a small fortune, more than the car will ever be worth. If you have to have one of these underpowered slugs (three main-bearing engine), go buy one that’s already done.
Hahaha. Girl’s car then, girl’s car now. Might be worth $3,750, but not to me!
This is a long ways away from another Mecum Moment.
This one might be beyond saving.
Until here everything told. So i leave without further comment.
What’s not to like? These cars are capable of a blistering 0-60 in 13.8 seconds, 1/4 mile in a tick under 21.7 @ 77 mph.
And they stopped building the 300SL for this? Never understood their appeal when new, and flabbergasted at the prices they get now.
Barnum was right.
I’ve worked on or restored several of these, and the amount of rust I see on the top side leads me to think there will be a similar amount [or more] body rot on the underside. These cars rusted terribly if exposed to salt. And while this car is in California, either it was from somewhere else for most of it’s life, or it spent considerable time driving on the Pacific coast beaches & picking up salt there.
Biil, and picking up hot babes too.
Howie, It’s been my experience that this is one of the cheaper vintage cars that hot babes seem drawn to. For the majority of them it’s the overall appearance, and certainly not performance, that is the primary attractant!
But for me the #1 “cheap car” that attracted hot babes was my 1969 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, however the attraction is generally based on the perception of wealth, not the looks [driver or car!]
Note that the above comment concerning hot babes and the Rolls-Royce does not include the ladies who used to approach the car when I was running a Rolls-Royce limo service in Washington, DC, offering me a “good time”!
These drive like trucks but look cool. I don’t know where people get their prices. Yes, the 300s have gone to the moon, but I’d be shocked if this sold anywhere near this money.
So there is space for 2 spare tires?
Mike, technically there is room for 2 spare tires. However you should note there is only one bracket with the attached tire hold down clamp. The other well was covered with a fiberboard panel and carpet overlay.
When I was in England 30 years ago I saw a right hand drive 190sl, and the spare tire was occupying the opposite side well, with the hold down clamp & bracket. I found out this was to “balance out the weight of the driver”, due in part to help cancel the swing arm rear axle’s funky handling with such a light car [compared to typical M-B cars].
And there was also the possibility if a buyer lived in a 3rd world area with bad roads, M-B would [on special order] equip the car with 2 spare tires, each clamped in position. I mention this because I’ve seen an early 300 sedan [Adenauer style] with factory installed dual spare tires.
All this talk about this one attracting HOT Babes, they forgot about the hottest one!!! That is the wife of the guy who pays the asking price for this one. The look he’ll get for dragging this one home will give him 3rd degree burns.