1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
- Engine
- Four-cylinder with Solex carburetors
- Colour
- 'Weissgrau' (white-gray)
A 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, believed to be one of 1,849 examples of that model year sold in the United States, finished originally in Weissgrau over a blue interior. Dispatched from the factory on 17 July 1956, the car reportedly spent much of its life on the West Coast before undergoing a comprehensive, body-off restoration lasting four years and totalling approximately 2,200 labour hours. Following completion, it earned first place in its class at a Dallas concours in 2018.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$291,000
- → 2014West Coast-based prior owner(s)none documentation
Vehicle reportedly spent the majority of its life on the western United States seaboard before being sold out of Colorado Springs.
- 2014 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Purchased in Colorado Springs intending a light restoration, but ultimately commissioned a full body-off refurbishment spanning four years at a cost exceeding $230,000.
Competition
- 20182018 Park Place Luxury Supercar Showcase1st in German class
Entered as a show or concours entry following completion of the full restoration; vehicle displayed with period-correct details including Bosch fog lights.
- 20192019 Park Place Luxury Supercar Showcase2nd in German class
Competed among roughly 100 vehicles; runner-up finish behind a Mercedes-Benz 500 K in the same class.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2018RestorationMarque specialists (unnamed)
Full body-off restoration conducted to the highest standard over four years, totalling around 2,200 hours. Work included new floorboards with period-correct spot welds, a bare-metal respray in the original Weissgrau colour, application of commercial-grade rust inhibitor throughout the understructure and body cavities, complete interior retrim in blue leather sourced from Germany, new German wire harness, full suspension rebuild with replacement springs, dampers and rubber components, engine disassembly and rebuild with carburettor restoration, polishing of all glass, and refurbishment or re-plating of all brightwork.
Total expenditure reported at over $230,000. The odometer was reset upon completion. Restoration documentation is included with the car.
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