While there’s absolutely a shift happening within the collector car marketplace of vehicles aging out of popularity as the people who previously looked after them also grow old, there are still some models that seem to be somewhat immune to these changes. Mercedes-Benz roadsters have held on despite being legitimate antiques by every definition, and whether you’re looking at the million-dollar 300SL roadster or the more attainable Pagoda, these classic convertibles are holding on. This 1961 190SL listed here on eBay for $90,000 is said to be driver-quality but still quite presentable.
A few years ago, I likely thought the 190SL was on its way down value-wise, but a few years later, I’m changing my tune. Any time there’s a significant model ahead of it like the 300SL, there are buyers who want to capture some of that magic at a lower price point. While $90,000 is still a lot of scratch, it’s peanuts compared to the 300SL that rarely changes hands for under a million unless it’s a project. The 190SL offers many of the same attributes in terms of visual presence and an association with the grandeur of a distant age, just with a smaller form factor.
It also helps that Mercedes-Benz is one of the few brands doing a respectable job keeping these older models on the road. The company’s Classic Center is not cheap to buy parts or service from, but if you have one of these cars, the price becomes secondary to simply getting your hands on a part that it otherwise obsolete everywhere else. The seller notes that this 190SL has been resprayed in its original color a few years ago, and it seems likely you’ll find some flaws up close. However, it’s rare that you find a 190SL between project status and being overly-restored, so I’m OK with some orange peel and dust in the paint. The painted dash appears to match nicely.
The 1.9L engine in the 190SL always seemed like such a downgrade from the more powerful 300SL, but then again, it was intended to be a more accessible roadster model in the company’s lineup. The 1.9L four-cylinder produces 105 b.h.p. and an equal amount of torque, and the seller notes the original Solex carburetors have been rebuilt. With a body claimed to be free of any rust and a manual transmission said to shift well, there’s a lot to like about a 190SL you can actually drive without the fear of ruining a concours-grade example. Do you think $90K is a reasonable ask for this classic Mercedes convertible?
Mistake #394,037 for me was passing up a car exactly like this in 2006 for $36,000, parked on the side of the road with a for sale sign on it. Sigh.
Let’s suppose you had bought it. $36K then is about $60K in 2026, plus you would have had 20 years of maintenance, insurance and repairs on top of that. If you sold it today for $90,000 you’d be just about breaking even. So if makes you feel any better, your biggest mistake wasn’t money, it was missing out on the experience.
You, sir, are the voice of reason. That’s a great point!