Rare Mercedes SL up for auction in UK
A completely authentic 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster of which only four are believed to exist in the UK, will be auctioned by leading online classic car auctioneer The Market.
As an early example of the model from the first year of production – the 729th car to be built of 26,000 sold in its nine year production run – it is now exceptionally rare and has been restored over a period of two years to ‘better than new’ condition.
With an auction guide price of £165,000 - £200,000 (NZ$317,000-$384,000), the left-hand drive car will cross the auction block in a week-long online auction starting on 23rd July and closing on 29th July 2020.
“This car is 65 years old and still in a staggeringly good condition. The overall fit and finish is way better than it ever would have been in period with some of the best shutlines and panel alignment we have ever seen on any car at any price,” comments Tristan Judge, director, The Market.
“The exacting approach of the restoration process marks this out as not only the best early 190SL of its kind in the UK, but possibly one of the most accurate and correct in the world.”
Emulating the style of Mercedes-Benz’s 300SL Gullwing model, the 190SL is an elegant, two-door, luxury grand-tourer. With a 1.9-litre capacity engine producing 104bhp and a top speed of 109mph, it was unrivalled in performance in its day.
Distinguishable early features from the 1955 production year include the car’s two-part dashtop, Gullwing seats, absence of chrome in front of the rear wheel arches, no clock, smaller rear lights, clear front indicator lenses rather than amber, and correct boot handle and number plate lights which were only fitted to the very earliest cars.
The restoration was carried out by marque specialists Redcastle Classics with no-expense-spared and concluded in September 2012. The two-year rotisserie restoration included a new black folding roof and a bodywork respray.
The car also has a number of discreet modifications. The driver’s seat runners have been lengthened to accommodate a driver of up to 6’6” in height, and a sound system has been installed, with a Kenwood Bluetooth head unit sitting behind the original Becker Europa radio, speakers fitted deep in the foot wells, and a high-power amplifier and sub-woofer under the seats.
Presented in silver with a red leather interior, such is the condition of the car that Mercedes-Benz UK gave it pride of place at the head of a celebratory procession at Brooklands in 2015 as a very early ‘Edition A’ example from 1955.
The car is so authentic that it is also Mille Miglia eligible, providing the owner entry into one of the world's most exclusive and desirable motorsport events.
