Together with the 300 SL, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL made history at the New York International Motor Sports Show in February 1954 by being the first new production Mercedes-Benz to be unveiled outside of Germany. The striking impression given by the 190 SL, sitting alongside the bigger 300 SL, was neat, sporty and with dashing lines - signatures of Mercedes-Benz designers Karl Wilfret and Walter Hacket. And between May 1955 and February 1963, 25,881 of these cars were produced, a huge success for Mercedes-Benz. Its engine boasted four inline cylinders with a chain driven overhead camshaft and two carburettors delivering a respectable 108bhp for that era, and still providing an exhilarating drive today. The body was a monocoque design, welded to the shortened chassis of the type 180 saloon. A racing version with aluminium doors and a small windscreen was never officially produced although, these parts could be ordered from the factory for weekend racing.

This charming left hand drive 190 SL was built in the fourth year of production in 1957 and registered new in 1958. It was more recently imported and first registered in the UK on 12th January 2016 and is finished in cream with a contrasting red interior and black soft top. The coachwork is in good condition showing light patina, as too, the interior and engine bay. Recent maintenance work has been completed by PKF Engineering, in Salisbury with maintenance invoices shown in the history file. Supplied with a history file including maintenance documents, sundry invoices, and the current UK registration document. This most elegant of sporting tourers simply awaits its next custodian. Consigned by Daniel Godin