1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

This 1961 Mercedes Benz 190SL was purchased by the seller as a project in 1979. Restored in several stages over the years, it wears 10 year old paint, a refreshed interior, and has had rust repair completed to bring it into its current condition. The seller is a professional machinist who did much of the work himself including fitment of OEM replacement fenders and nose panel. The car runs and drives but hasn’t been on the road in 36 years and will need brake work to be roadworthy. It is currently powered by an unstamped replacement engine, and the sale includes what is believed to be the original engine #121.921.10.016686 (see photo.) Several boxes of spare 190SL parts are also included and pictured below. Originally White Gray in color (factory code DB158G), the car was given a fair quality repaint around 10 years ago. Some crazing and blistering has developed since, mainly on the aluminum skinned panels. The rear valance panel has a small dent (see photo). Trim is complete and in similarly decent condition, including all four hubcaps and fender accents. The long-term owner has custom made various small replacement parts including elements of the soft top frame, throttle linkage, an interior lock bezel and more. The seller says there are no current rust issues. The interior has been restored and presents nicely. Factory seats were reupholstered in the correct style and original working VDO gauges look clean. Note also the crack-free original steering wheel and factory radio. The amplifier for the radio is included but not installed. All four fenders and the nose panel were correct replacement pieces, while some other repairs utilized generic sheet metal (including floorboards). The body color paint on the dash is correct and looks shiny. The cloth soft top was purchased around 7 years ago and remains in very good condition. There is some tape residue on the plastic rear window, and there is no hardtop. The spare engine is the engine that was in the car when purchased by the seller in 1979. It was pulled around that time and replaced with the engine shown above, a correct 1.9L unit. Dual sidedraft Weber carburetors are fitted as shown. The car starts and runs but will need a thorough inspection prior to getting back on the road. The brakes were overhauled but fluid was only recently added and the system still requires a proper bleeding. There is enough pedal pressure to stop the car when loading on a trailer. The spare engine is a complete long block with valve cover. The original Solex carbs and intake are included but not attached, and there is no exhaust manifold. It was running when it was pulled from the car around 1979, and was turning freely the last time the last time it was checked around 8 years ago. It has remained in dry storage. Several boxes of spares go with the car, and include parts like multiple clutch friction disc replacements, various unused NOS filters, U-joint parts, door seals and more detailed in photos below. Filed under: r121, sl