Legacy Metrics

1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

121.040.10.9501716roadGermany
Colour
Strawberry Red Metallic

A 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL roadster finished in the rare Strawberry Red Metallic, originally delivered new to Brownsville, Texas. After years in storage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it underwent a comprehensive restoration by Canadian Mercedes-Benz specialists, covering engine and transmission rebuilds, full mechanical renewal, bodywork refinishing, and interior retrimming. The restored car has since earned awards at multiple concours events, including a People's Choice Award at the Mosport Concours d'Elegance.

Ownership

  1. Auction sale
  2. 1959 →Factory delivery
    Original Brownsville, Texas recipient
    partial documentation

    Vehicle delivered new to Brownsville, Texas in mid-1959; subsequent movement to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where it remained in storage for an extended period.

  3. 2001 →Private sale
    Current vendor
    full documentation

    Commissioned a thorough restoration by Canadian Mercedes-Benz specialists; car subsequently kept in a climate-controlled facility with detailed work records maintained.

  4. Date unknownAcquisition unknown
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin storage owner
    partial documentation

    Car was held in storage in Milwaukee for several years; body remained solid and free of rust during this period.

Competition

  1. Mosport Concours d'Elegance
    People's Choice Award

    One of several show appearances following the restoration; received a People's Choice honor at this event.

Maintenance & restoration

  1. Engine rebuild
    Canadian Mercedes-Benz specialists

    Engine and gearbox were fully rebuilt as part of the comprehensive restoration programme.

  2. Mechanical
    Canadian Mercedes-Benz specialists

    Brake and suspension components were renewed and a replacement wiring harness fitted throughout.

  3. Bodywork
    Canadian Mercedes-Benz specialists

    Bodywork was stripped back and refinished in the factory-original Strawberry Red Metallic colour; bumpers, hubcaps, and brightwork were re-chromed.

  4. Restoration
    Canadian Mercedes-Benz specialists

    Interior fully retrimmed with period-accurate tan leather and carpeting; a replacement tan soft-top was also fitted.

    A comprehensive record of all work carried out accompanies the vehicle.

Are you the owner of this car?

This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.

Each chassis record is compiled from public auction archives and links to its source material. Ownership, competition and maintenance entries are extracted from those catalogue listings by an LLM, which can make mistakes — please contact us with any corrections. The summary is Legacy Metrics’ own writing; we do not reproduce catalogue text.

“Full” and “partial” documentation labels indicate how well each entry is corroborated in the underlying sources, not an audit of the car’s physical paperwork. Names of recent or living owners are withheld for privacy.