Introduced in 1955, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was squarely aimed at those taken with the styling of the mighty 300 SL but who had no need for flagship supercar’s 160 mph performance.

Although marketed as a more affordable alternative, Stuttgart’s designers certainly didn’t scrimp on style when it came to the 190 SL. The strikingly pretty sports car not only drew inspiration from the design language of its big brother, but also its cutting-edge engineering, sharing a similar suspension setup.

Powered by a 1.9-litre inline-four with origins from the straight-six of the 300 SL, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was a capable performer, with 120 horsepower on tap and a top speed in excess of 100 mph. The car proved the perfect long-distance cruiser, particularly when ordered in Coupé configuration, which—for a premium of 1,000 Deutsche Mark—brought the added benefit of a fitted hardtop, and another level of comfort and luxury to the range.

Chassis 014537 was delivered to Rotterdam on 11 September 1959 finished in White Grey over a Green interior with black hardtop. The Mercedes-Benz went on to spend considerable time in the United States. The car was titled in Virginia on 11 September 1978 and remained in North America until being sold to a Dutch enthusiast in October 2001, where it was road registered the following year.

The 190 SL changed hands again in July 2006, before being subjected to an in-depth restoration fully documented in an accompanying photo-book, and supported by a folder of invoices. The three-year restoration was completed in 2009, with the 190 SL returned to its factory-correct White Grey over Green configuration. It was later described in an accompanying vehicle condition advice report carried out by leading specialist Classic Assessments as being “a superb example of its type”.

The car is accompanied by a copy of the factory build sheet, its fitted hardtop, a near-complete tool roll, owner’s manuals, a sales brochure, and a restoration photobook, in addition to a folder of invoices. Presenting in its factory-correct White Grey with striking Green interior, this Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is an outstanding example of one of the Three-Pointed Star’s most glamorous sports cars.