The Mercedes-Benz 190SL lived many years in the shadow of the 300SL, and then it began to tick up in value when collectors realized they were priced out of the gullwing game. The 190SL shown here is the sort of project that might not have been saved a decade or so ago, as it has extensive rust and a non-matching engine. These days, however, it’s fair game for restoration and is listed here on eBay with bids to $30,000 with the reserve unmet.
The 190SL was not what I would consider a sports car. It wasn’t terribly powerful and from what I’ve seen, the handling wasn’t anything exceptional. However, it was an open-top Mercedes-Benz, which was pretty much all that mattered to its customer base. The 190SL shown here was not kept in “climate controlled” storage, which is pretty much the understatement of the week. The listing further notes it was in said storage arrangement for 45 years. The floors are gone and the listing notes that both rear trailing arms are broken.
Now, this is not a vehicle I would personally spend $30K or more on, but I can understand bidders’ desire to get into a classic Mercedes model like the 190SL while prices are still somewhat reasonable. However, in addition to the prodigious amounts of rust, this 190SL is also sporting a non-matching engine, as the original mill failed and was replaced with one from a 180/B sedan, which certainly speaks to how these baby Benzes were perceived once a few years and a couple thousand miles had been racked up.
Multiple body panels have rust issues, with rust seemingly permeating the 190SL at every corner. The interior will also need complete restoration, as even the bottom of the seats have rotted out. The photos reveal a weathered Pennsylvania license plate, and the Keystone State can indeed be an unforgiving place for vintage automobiles. I’m mildly shocked by how strong bidding is at the moment, and will be curious to see if it clears $40,000.
Anyone dumb enough to put 40K into this car deserves to buy it. If an earth quake hits that building most of that car is going to be on the floor.
There comes a point when a car is beyond restoring, no matter what it is. Anyone who puts serious change down for this has more dollars than “sense”.
I agree! This is a disaster! I own a 190SL (and love it). With the cost of parts for these cars, even if you did everything yourself, one would be well over $100k on this one! I, too, cannot understand why anyone would pay this much for a beyond hopeless 190!
Back in 1989 there was one of these in my local junkyard in the same condition. The junkyard wanted $2k for it. For a nineteen year old kid back then, it was way out of my price range for a project car.
A non-original underpowered engine, rust everywhere, shot interior and a $30k+ price tag. What’s not to like?
Other than the hubcaps, this isn’t even a decent parts car.
Perhaps one day somebody will plunk down a serious 6 figure sum for this, thinking that they are buying a nicely restored car when in fact they will be getting a patched together POS.
I predict that shortly after this sells somewhere a very nice example of this same model will go missing or suddenly see the light of day. Will those two events be related? Nah…
Let’s not confuse “stored” with left to sit and rot. This is the latter.
Way back in 1969 my college roommate rolled/totaled his beater 190 sedan and we looked at a 190 SL with a blown engine with the idea of transplanting the engine from his sedan into it. The SL had been stored outside for years at a hippie commune with a torn top and was in about as bad of shape rust-wise as this car. We passed on it even though the asking price was $50.
Anyone who offers more than $50.00 for this pile of scrap parts, needs to have his head examined. It will take every bit of $50K to restore this one. And I’m not talking labor. My advice to the seller is take the $30K and run like mad to the nearest bank before the ink dries. This one is nowhere near worth $30K!!!
Me pay $30K for this one? Not a Chance!!!!! I can buy a new Silverado Pickup for that, and with a warranty to boot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
checked prices on that Silverado pickup lately? I don’t think $30K is going to do much, other than get you in the side door.
$30K on a new Silverado is, likely, a good down payment. In 2010 replacing my Dodge dually, turbo diesel with new, at the Motor Trend auto show was on a “Auto Show Special”, the model told me. “You can drive this home for”only” $100,000.”
I’m still driving my 96 dually.
A sinker in salt water.
Reading the above comments makes me feel a sense of relief that I am not the only one who can’t imagine paying a dime for this rusted piece of junk!
Five years ago I spent $25G for a 2004 Corvette convertible. It is pristine. It is fast and fun. I bought it, I drove it and I stored it in the winter.
As a matter of fact, it is coming out of storage next week.
Spend your money on something that makes sense.
I am currently restoring a 59 190SL for a lady customer. Almost in the same condition. LOTS of rust! I have applied several repop patch panels that fit like S#$T!! I initially told her this rrstoration is going to cost her more than the car is worth, and gave her a large $$ estimate. She went ahead and approved the job. I’m still shaking my head 1 🙄🙄
I guess when people have lots of money, they can spend it on all kinds of crazy things!
I would love to be in that position.
It’s still at $30,000 and the reserve has not been met. As PT Barnum said there is a sucker born every minute. It is also for sale by a dealer.
Another gem from MB vintage in Cleveland, Gullwing wannabe.
It was once a desirable 190 Benz but it is no more. Too much extensive rust and rot during those 45 yrs in poor storage. At 30K already someone has more money than brains bidding for this. What a shame.
Mbvcars but be the midwest equivalent of BHCC and Gullwing.
Yep. Overpriced rust buckets, that they buy for peanuts, then put $30k price tags on. It’s fascinating that they stay in business.
A close friend of mine, a retired family court judge used to tell the participants of a divorce who told him that they wanted this or that, and they didn’t want their future ex spouse they they didn’t want the other to have this or that
“It’s good to want.”
$30K and the reserve hasn’t been reached?
It’s good to want.
I have another friend who does upholstery for a living. He always says that “There’s an ass for every seat.”
Oh come on, all ya gotta do to fix it is take the gas cap off and slide another car under it. easey peasey
is the SL still available?
RAMI: Reach out to the EBay seller: https://www.ebay.com/str/mbvintagecars