Aside from perhaps a Gullwing, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is one of the most desirable cars the company has ever built. The 2-door luxury roadster was manufactured between 1955-63 and saw total production of just shy of 26,000 units. Sharing basic styling and engineering with the more exclusive 300 SL, the 190 SL was intended to be an attractive, more affordable alternative. This two-owner edition from 1958 looks to be in outstanding condition and has won multiple awards. Located in Vancouver, Washington, this beauty is available here on craigslist for $229,000. If the seller doesn’t see any action here, he’ll consign it to one of the major auction houses. Tip of the hat to MattR for this great tip!
In addition to having a fully independent suspension like the 300, the 190 was treated to M-B’s new slightly oversquare inline-4 SOHC engine, rated at 120 hp. That compared to a six-cylinder in the more expensive automobile. It used twin-choke, dual Solex carburetors. Buyers could choose from a soft-top convertible or one with a removable hardtop. Both the 190 SL and the 300 SL were replaced in 1963 by the Mercedes-Benz 230SL.
This seller has owned this SL since 1991 having purchased it from the original owner. It’s been shown at several major car events in the Pacific Northwest and is a regular winner in the original survivor class. We’re told that, at 54,000 miles, the car is so original that restorers often come to him to look at the car before starting on their own projects. The only things said not to be original are the tires, which wisely were replaced before causing an accident. Finished in ivory, only three photos are provided, so we’ll have to take the seller’s word that it’s immaculate throughout.
Whoa….who tries to sell a 230K car on Craigslist with only three photos?
No one. Including this guy.
Please, go to a auction company so you can realize full value and everyone can actually see what you are selling.
There is no free lunch, or in this case, a 230K lunch…
Why not just list the thing on OfferUp? Something is rather strange here.
Now, what do we see? Not much besides a color missmatch of the door. In Germany the car is called the rusty prince. So buyer beware! Just low mileage dont make a unrestored car.
Regards from Tyrol!
I wonder if you guys are losing your identity. I look here for Barn Finds. If I want to see this, I would go to a Mecham or BringaTrailer site. They cant compete with you on what you used to show exclusively. Likewise, you cant compete with them for this high end. I like you guys for the unusual stuff you find that comes from the abandoned and forgotten. I hope you find yourself.
I would agree with TOMFROMTYROL these cars are true rust buckets. The eyebrows over each wheel is sheet metal leaded in with absolutely no rust protection on the inner surfaces. Any even minor break and you will lose both the eyebrow and fender to rust be for you know it. The rest of the body is similar. What is not widely known is that both the door surrounds are cast aluminum to save money and that joint between the steel body and the door surround is almost constant trouble.
What is worse is that these are slow and heavy cars with not the best handling package. Comfortable yes, very beautiful yes but there is a reason this has so few miles. More of a hanger queen or garage queen than a true sports car. I think on of the original imported boulevard cruisers and that is about it.
I think they are beautiful, and because of the rust problems now very rare but it is not a car to purchase to drive but more a piece of automobile art that is living greatly off the reputation of the big brother the 300 SL. That is a sports car and a drivers car. This is a posers car. To me not worth the price.
What would be interesting is to pull moulds off the body to build replicas in carbon fiber or fiberglass using modern Mercedes 320 Engines and suspensions. That could be something that would be a great deal of fun to drive with 230 HP and decent brakes.
Oh please; girl’s car then, girl’s car now.
Back in the 60’s and 70’s, you could pick these up cheap, cos they were “not a Mercedes 300SL”. According to Collector Car Market Review, the 190SL is worth $145,000 in Number 1 condition, and $77,000 in Number 3 condition, so this car is way overpriced. However, due to only having 3 photos, this smells like a fake ad (lots of fake ads in the current recession). Buyer beware!