The W196 Mercedes-Benz Formula One car of 1954 and 1955 won virtually every race it ran. Its advanced engineering features outclassed its competition, and made Mercedes-Benz world champion in Sports and Grand Prix racing. Behind these victories were long meditation, profound thought and unfailing attention to detail and construction on the part of an engineering team that had no equal in period. These same men planned and constructed the Mercedes-Benz passenger cars that followed – with the same meticulous attention to detail that made their racecars the envy of pitlane. At the time of the highly respected 190SL, there was probably no finer car in the world than those that wore the silver, three-pointed star.

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL was the vision of Max Hoffman, Mercedes’ representative in the United States. Hoffman understood that while the 300SL Gullwing Coupe might certainly catch American buyers’ attention, it had two drawbacks; it was a coupe, and it was very expensive. Knowing that the American market was ideally suited for convertibles, Hoffman convinced Mercedes-Benz management to build a simpler, less costly open model for the U.S. market, and the result was the Mercedes-Benz 190SL.

The 190SL incorporated many advanced engineering features and was best suited for stylish cruising rather than performance driving. Max Hoffman’s understanding of the American car market was right on target, and approximately 26,000 190SL roadsters were produced between 1955 and 1963.

The red with tan interior example being offered wears a 15 year old restoration that is very nicely presented and comes with the optional removable hardtop. Running with the 1,897-cc inline four-cylinder engine, the transmission is a four-speed manual. The engine is set up with Weber carburetors, but the pair of original Solex carbs are also included in the transaction. Recent chrome work has been executed, further contributing to the inherent fine nature of these sought-after German motorcars.