1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster

121.042.10.015341roadGermany

Engine: Inline four-cylinder
Colour: Black with tan canvas soft top

A 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster finished in its original black-over-tan livery, delivered new in Paris on 13 November 1959 to an American woman with dual French-American residency. The car was factory-specified to US standards and subsequently shipped to the United States, where it entered a serious Mercedes-Benz collection alongside a 300 SL. Both cars received comprehensive nut-and-bolt restorations and have since seen only limited use, leaving this example in exceptional overall condition.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$106,400
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1959-11-13 →Factory delivery
American woman with dual French-US citizenship
partial documentation
Took initial delivery in Paris and drove the car there before eventually shipping it to the United States. Factory data card confirms new purchase date and US-spec equipment.
Date unknown
Serious Mercedes-Benz collector
partial documentation
Held both this car and a 300 SL together; commissioned a thorough ground-up restoration of both vehicles, after which the 190 SL saw only minimal use.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—
Restoration
Complete nut-and-bolt restoration carried out as part of a paired project with a 300 SL stablemate; the car's paint, brightwork, interior, and engine bay were all brought to a high standard.
Commissioned by the Mercedes-Benz collector who owned both cars.
—Service
European Auto Solutions
Full service and mechanical sorting performed to ensure reliable ongoing use following the restoration period.
Described as recent at the time of cataloguing.

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.