1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

First registered in Rome in 1961 - and still wearing its original ROMA licence plates - this Mercedes-Benz 190SL has had just four owners from new, the last one keeping the car for more than 20 years.

The car underwent an extensive restoration in 2001 including a total reconditioning of the mechanicals such as gearbox and rear differential but also retaining as many original parts as possible - particularly visible in the interior.

Since then it has only been used for events and concours d’elegance and has covered just 5500 km since the restoration and so it still looks in immaculate condition.

What can we say about the exterior bodywork of this 190SL other than it is stunning, immaculate, near flawless? Watch the video that accompanies these details - the movement of light and reflections across the surface of the car show how good the paint is better than the photographs. The rare burgundy colour really accentuates the shape of the car and looks almost liquid - just like the wines of Burgundy.

The matching soft top is also in a fantastic condition - almost like new. The rear window is clear with no creasing and the fabric sits taut across the frame. The hood folds away perfectly under a burgundy leather tonneau.

The superb chrome brightwork beautifully sets off the deep red of the paint. All the exterior fittings, such as the lamps and tail light clusters, look like new with no obvious clouding or cracking. A coveted Automotoclub Storica Italiano plate sits on the front bumper, denoting the car’s historic status.

The SL sits on 13-inch steel wheels fitted with body-coloured hubcaps and chrome beauty rings, all of which look to be in good condition. There are matching BF Goodrich white-walled tyres all round showing sufficient tread.

In a convertible, the look of the interior is just as important as the outside - and the inside of this car doesn’t disappoint, it is gorgeous.

It is upholstered and trimmed in the same colour combination, with leather seats, dash top and door cards and beautifully fitted carpets all in a matching shade of burgundy and the instrumentation and fittings edged in chrome. The only things standing out that are neither burgundy nor chrome are the ivory-coloured steering wheel and gear knob - both adding a classic 1950s touch that really lifts the cabin.

Aside from a few small scuffs on the side of the driver’s seat and a tiny section of seam coming undone by the chrome hinge, the upholstery looks in very good condition. The VDO dials, switchgear and controls across the dashboard appear original, having a slight patina, but are well finished and accompany what looks like an original Becker Europa radio.

Take a good look through the numerous photos of the interior and you will see the attention to detail that was paid during the restoration.

Under the bonnet, the car retains its original engine (#121-921-10-021908) & the underside of the lid and engine bay are correctly finished in black, rather than body colour and everything looks very clean and well presented. The engine starts well and runs sweetly - it has been fitted with two Weber carburettors in place of the original Solex units, although they have been retained with the car if the next owner wants to reinstall them.

Underneath, the car was given many new parts, such as the suspension and exhaust and the undersides were fully treated with Waxoyl for protection against corrosion. Much of the drivetrain is visible under the car - for example where the driveshaft meets the differential and it looks in good order.

Another sign of the sparing use of the car and limited exposure to inclement weather is that the brake lines still have some copper colour to them. Clearly the low-hanging sump is vulnerable and appears to have had repair welds in the past.

At the rear, the boot is painted black like the engine bay but has burgundy carpeting across the floor. A full size spare wheel fitted with an unused Continental ContiClassic tyre is clamped to the right hand side of the load space, along with a jack and wheel brace. The rubber seal around the opening is starting to deteriorate in places and may benefit from replacement.

There isn’t much of a history file with the car - no large folder of garage invoices for example - but there is what looks like the original registration log book and a period operating and maintenance manual.

It also has the coveted Certificate of Identity from the Automotoclub Storica Italiano to prove its historic status - although they have determined that it is a 1962 car despite the chassis plate and chassis sequence number indicating that this is indeed a 1961 car.

Anyway, a car such as this deserves to be judged on its current condition rather than the accumulation of paperwork. The extensive restoration during 2001 - partly documented in photos included with the car - has returned the car to a superb condition

The 190SL is just as desirable now as it was in the fifties and sixties - and it sits among the most stylish of all European classics of any era. Many examples have been restored with new fixtures and fittings so it is refreshing to see one like this that has retained as much originality as possible whilst still looking like new.

This beautiful car drives excellently too - even on the period look whitewall tyres - and, running on Weber carburettors, the car feels smoother and more responsive, with a pleasant rasp to the exhaust.

Values of 190SLs have risen on the coattails of the 300SL Coupes & Roadsters, so you should expect the very best examples to be firmly into six figure sums. This being a great example, we think that it will sell for between 110.000 € and 140.000 €.

That may seem a big number for what was built as an affordable car but you won’t just be bidding on a classic car, you’ll be buying a true piece of motoring art – and one that comes with legendary Mercedes-Benz build quality.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in Vicenza, Italy; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.