The nomenclature that automakers use is never more confusing than over at Mercedes-Benz. Seeing “190” in the title here can bring to mind the little sister to the 300SL, called the 190SL – a glorious car if a bit sluggish. But Mercedes also made garden variety 190 sedans in multiple renditions. The W121 platform produced from 1955 to 1963 was clothed in a basic ponton sedan body (the SL was also a W121, but a convertible). The platform cradled the 1897 cc inline four-cylinder. But there were 190Ds (diesel), 190s on the slightly longer W120 platform, and then later – on a different platform – 190Cs, and 190Es. Market value differences among these models can be substantial. Here on craigslist is a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 sedan, with an asking price of $15,000 firm. We have T.J. to thank for this Teutonic tip! This car is located in Anaheim, California, and has just 31,000 original miles. The car has had only two California owners. Dents are visible in the right rear fender and the front fender is missing a trim piece. A coating of dust hints that she hasn’t been driven in some time.
We requested an engine bay photo but alas received no answer. So we’ll have to make do by describing the motor, which as noted is an inline four displacing 1897 cc’s. The sedan received a detuned version of the SL motor with a single Solex carburetor, so it generates just 75 bhp, meandering from zero to sixty in twenty seconds. The transmission is a four-speed manual. The car came with drum brakes all around. The car’s interior is adequate, and as shown here it has been fitted with lap belts.
The front end is fairly straight though the three-pointed radiator ornament is whimsically crooked. The 190 sedan was well known for its longevity and toughness; the diesel versions were used as taxis all over Europe. A 190D actually won the 1959 Algiers-Cape Rally. I suppose the right 190 sedan might make an attractive vintage rally choice if a bit slow and cumbersome in the hairpins.
These ponton cars remain reasonably priced. Speaking of price, I like to ask a seller, “Can you tell me how you arrived at your price?” That’s particularly relevant here, where this seller is “firm”. This car is not perfect, and in fact, recent auction results offer up a few unflattering comparisons. The rally car in the link above sold in 2019 at Sotheby’s for $14,300 fully equipped with vintage rally gear and looking completely competent and spiffy. Mecum sold a black over red 1958 190 at $12,100 in 2021. That car made a mighty fine impression too. What do you think of this seller’s price?
Purchased the four cylinder but identical looking version in 1974 (a 180A ’59 model) for the glorious sum of $95 at age 14. Guess I wasn’t your typical teenage car nut. Original paint buffed out great, red leather upholstery cleaned up, probably better condition than this one. Too bad I couldn’t drive yet!
I think a seller can ask whatever they want. The market has the last word and is seldom ever wrong. You can be “firm” all day long and never sell you car. Great color of a low mileage classic. Should make someone very happy for the “market correct” price.
Providing there are no “untold stories” lurking in the car…
It says he’s “ready to sell”. Other people will think otherwise.
For this price you can have one in perfect condition. The
single carb engine is more lively then the 2 carb version
in the SL – i drove any of them. The best choice of this
model range is the 219, also the 190 with the 220 engine
the small body and large front clip or the a bit more like
a fintail going 220 with the large body.
Very likely is the smooth worm steering where you can
still drive well even with flat front tyres.
I had a dark blue 1960 190 with red interior and three on the tree. The wool seats were very cozy and the power was plenty for driving around the San Francisco Bay Area on fat highways and twisty coastal roads. It was quiet and comfortable and I thought quite attractive. Price? I won’t say what I sold mine for in order to buy a convertible Karen Ghia that was up the street, but it was well below this asking and not that many years ago. These are relatively easy to work on, parts permitting. For 15K one could pick up a great number of fun drivers. Michelle, can you let us know what the market bears on this one? Thanks, I’m enjoying your write ups.
So this car sold for about $3500 new, at today’s price in Super clean condition its valued at about $10,400 and seller wants $15,000 firm sorry not willing to take that loss and wait until they spread my ashes to try and recoup the money
A college friend had one, back in the mid ’60’s, when a few of us would make a monthly trip into New York City I would drive it, being recognized by my peers as a good driver, and, a basically non-drinker. It was a great car, not full of pep, but no problem going 70 or so, and agile in Manhattan traffic. Compared to other cars of the day it was very solid feeling, from the steering to the absense of rattles and squeaks. And, how often do you need to go from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds?
I bought a 190Db (b body) when I was 19, I still have it at 63, many stories why its not finished. Sometimes the dream becomes a fantasy. The diesel 180/190 were one of the best made, simple and strong the 180D held the worlds most durable car when it went over 800k miles until the 220 D contest in 1978 beat it with over a million miles. That has been beaten by other cars since The volvo P1800 in NJ for one example. I think the price on this one is a bit ambitious. They usually run around 8-9k for a complete running example and pristine ones 15-25k .They wont ever reach the 300sl 190sl or the SC models or even the 220S cabriolet models. I have a soft spot for this one but if they bothered to at least wax it , it might be a little closer to the price. They will get 40 mpg at 50 mph and 50 at 40. And up to 60 in town, not bad for a fairly heavy car. Parts can be an issue. I needed a waterpump for mine and found out it was essentially made of unobtinium due to the fact that it is 1/2”shorter than the 190 successor engine (finned body) that in 1959 was built side by side. I ended up getting one for a 230 SL that was a full inch smaller and had an adaptor made. If the guy wants that much money , consider doing a clean up and detail but it will be hard to go over 10k unless you find a buyer like me that loves them. Let me know if someone wants a running parts car.lol
The fact that it has dents and hasn’t been driven for a while may indicate hidden problems. $15K is a bit ambitious on this one, as there are better looking cars available for that price
This car’s value lies in its relatively low mileage and originality. Any major attempt at restoration (paint, for example) will put you underwater forever. Clean it up, make it safe, and you’ll have a fun driver. Offer $9K and call the guy every three months.
A relative of mine could never understand why her 1.7 liter 914 wasn’t drawing the same kind of offers as a 914/6 they found in a price guide. “They’re both Porsches, right?”
My Dad had a ’59 180 Sedan that he purchased when he was on his biennial trip back to visit family in the Netherlands. He picked it up at the factory and drove it while he was there, then had it shipped back to California upon departing. It was a stunning dark gunmetal gray-black with beautiful red leather bucket seats.
I remember staring up at the impressive all metal grille that seemed massive on that car when I was a toddler. Also loved that neat Deco-styled parking beacon. And I remember every Christmas, Dad would buy a bottle of Seagrams V0 for his Mercedes Mechanic, Ron in Alameda who was constantly repairing the shift linkage. I was only 2-1/2 when he sold that trouble-prone car in 1970, replacing it with a brand new Astro Blue Chevelle – of course my Uncle who lived next door quickly one-upped him, trading his 1967 VW Beetle for a brand new Mulsanne Blue 1971 Monte Carlo with Corvette Rallys. Needless to say, these guys and their cars ignited a lifelong passion in me.
I am an expert on these having spent my misspent youth standing on the floor of the front seat with my chin on the dashboard. i sighted many enemy vessels and airplanes through that three-pointed radiator gunsight. I do not remember if it was fast. I was 10.
Much to my mother’s embarrassment, the car lasted forever. my Dad drove it for 14 years. My Mom said it looked like a 1940 Plymouth. I thought it looked like it belonged to “SMERSH”. My Dad finally sold it and bought a W132. My Mom said it was even uglier. He eventually sold it, too. It stuck around till my daughter was born. Then he Bought a blue Toyota Land Cruiser (weren’t they all blue?) with orange/brown cape buffalo hide seat covers that somehow missed the tanning process so they were stiffer than a new pair of Doc Martins. In an earlier life they had likely been road kill. It was ugly, too. But the Land Cruiser still around, even though my Mom and Dad have long since been recalled by their manufacturer. The Land Cruiser is faster than the Benz. I think it went 0-60 in 16 or 17 seconds (maybe more). Our posterior parts have now “tanned” the cape buffalo to perfection.
The subject car seems a bit over-priced. I understand the owner is “ready to sell”. I’ve had a few cars I felt that way about, too.
Still. if you are interested in making the trip from Algiers to the Cape I can’t imagine a better conveyance to do it in – unless it had wings. The back country Cape Buffalo folks will surely recognize it. Most of them have a diesel version just like it. They got them used from the Berlin Taxi Company…for way less than $15 grand
Great stories, thanks! Made me laugh.