Lot 336: 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

During the Fifties, when Mercedes-Benz was the dominant force in top-level motor sport, the undisputed flagship of the firm's production car range was the stunning 300 SL sports car. Highly desirable as it was, it was also financially out of the reach of most enthusiasts. Keen to capitalise on the 300 SL's numerous competition successes, and find a foothold in the increasingly lucrative sports car market, Mercedes-Benz introduced its smaller stable mate, the equally beautifully engineered 190 SL. Launched at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the attractive 190 SL roadster looked very similar to the 300SL, but thanks to more modest underpinnings it cost a great deal less. Based on the 180 saloon of 1953 - Mercedes-Benz's first car to use a unitary construction body/chassis - the 190 SL sported all round coil spring suspension and power assisted drum brakes. Power came from a 1,897cc version of the 180 saloon's four cylinder engine which, via twin Solex carburettors, produced 120bhp at 5,700rpm and 101lb/ft at 3,800rpm. Allied to a four-speed manual gearbox, this endowed the sleek, aerodynamic and comparatively light 190 SL with a 115mph top speed and 0-60mph acceleration in a respectable 13.0 seconds. Manufactured on the 4th June 1962, this particular example is described as being in concours condition throughout. Since 1988 1057 MX has benefited from a 'rolling restoration' with a total of £18,479 spent on the car at leading marque specialist Charles Sidney. Every part of the car has received attention, including a fully re-trimmed interior in cream leather and a new hood fitted in 1994 by H A Haugh, together with a complete strip down of the bodywork and a paintwork re-spray. A full list stretching two and a half pages detailing the work carried out on the car is included in the history file which also contains a photographic record of the restoration, nine old MoT test certificates and the original owner's manual. Currently with only its fourth owner, 1057 MX was purchased by the vendor from broadcaster/petrol head Chris Evans in 2004 and he has continued to maintain the car to a very high standard. This original right-hand drive model, complete with V5 registration document and a MoT test certificate valid until December 2008, is perhaps one of the finest examples currently on the market today.