Every now and again, you see a deal come up for grabs that quite literally seems too good to be true. And this 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster with the preferred 4-speed manual is perhaps one of the best opportunities to go out of 2025 on a high note, because it is an absolute steal at just $19,000. Based on the description, photos, and the seller listing an actual phone number to call, it seems to be quite real, and I will preemptively congratulate anyone who is lucky enough to bring this 190SL home. Find it here on craigslist in Rock Island, Washington, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Jack M. for the find.

You really do feel some pity for a seller who is leaving serious money on the table, but we don’t know the situation. It could be a matter of prioritizing time over every last penny, or the feeling that the car needs more work than advertised. I actually was looking into the 190SL market this week after a colleague of mine sold a very honest 1961 190SL for a strong price on Bring A Trailer. Selling for nearly $90,000 the day after Christmas reveals how the right car for the right person at the right time is a more powerful indication of selling price than any pricing guide can ever predict. The interior shows standard signs of being unrestored and would be transformed with a simple reupholstery job.

The dashboard with instruments can sell for nearly $10,000; the hardtop goes for $2,000; the kid’s pedal car version of the 190SL can also reach $2,000 or so. I’m sure at this point some kindhearted enthusiasts have reached out to the seller letting them know that they have left about $30,000 on the table with the current asking price. The 190SL doesn’t appear to be rusty and even with the seller’s admission that it’s a project car that hasn’t seen much use since their grandparents stopped using it, the level of completeness would eliminate any concerns I had about buying sight-unseen at this price point. There’s literally no chance of being disappointed.

You occasionally see reports of the 1.9-liter M121 inline-four (good for 104 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque) needing a rebuild or at the very least, a top-end refresh; however, these are not complex engines, so even in a worst-case scenario, I wouldn’t overthink the purchase even if the motor needs some work. The matching factory hubcaps with the painted centers underneath is an OEM-correct detail even if the color turns out not to be (a respray wouldn’t surprise me at this point.) While I would like to see the seller get more for the car, you can’t fault the first person who’s there with a trailer today and $19,000 in hand, ready to bring this 190SL home.