1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster
A 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL delivered via Max Hoffman's New York distribution centre and first retailed through a California dealership. Notable for its exceptionally rare two-tone interior — black upper dashboard contrasted with red leather — and believed-original mileage of 21,690. The car passed through a small number of documented California and British Columbia owners before a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by marque specialist Rudi Konicek, including bare-metal bodywork by Coachwerks and full brightwork refinishing. It retains its original factory hardtop in its Mercedes-Benz shipping crate, never fitted.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$257,600
- —Auction saleSold US$274,400
- 1958 → 1965Private saleSaverio Joseph Cinapartial documentation
First recorded retail owner, based in Reseda, California; sold the car onward in 1965.
- 1958-06-05 → 1958Factory deliveryMax Hoffman distribution centerpartial documentation
Vehicle dispatched from the factory and routed through the New York importer's distribution network before retail sale in California.
- 1965 → 1967Private saleClare J. Simpsonpartial documentation
Owned the car for approximately two years before passing it on with a low odometer reading.
- 1967 →Private saleEric J. Metcalfepartial documentation
Acquired the vehicle at just over 13,000 miles; ownership trail becomes unclear for several years after this point.
- 1979-02-13 → 1986Acquisition unknownWalter B. Clurfull documentation
German-trained mechanic residing in North Vancouver; imported the car into British Columbia for personal use, documented by an insurance application. Sold to neighbors and later performed restoration work for them as a commission.
- 1986 →Private saleFrank and Vivia Nemethpartial documentation
Surrey, B.C. residents who commissioned the prior owner to prepare the car mechanically; kept it for roughly three decades, storing it on blocks in their garage during the final ten years. Frank died in 2016 and Vivia subsequently sold the car.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRudi Konicek / Rudi & Companypartial documentation
Marque specialist who purchased the car from Vivia Nemeth and undertook a comprehensive restoration including full bare-metal repaint, engine service, replated brightwork, new glass, interior, and soft top. This was reportedly among the last restorations completed before his shop transitioned ownership.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1986Mechanical
Walter Clur, the previous owner and a professional mechanic, was commissioned by the Nemeths to carry out substantial work to return the car to roadworthy condition prior to their taking delivery.
Work was done at the request of the new purchasers as a condition of the sale.
- —RestorationRudi & Company
Comprehensive restoration undertaken by marque specialist Rudi Konicek: body stripped to bare metal and fully repainted by Coachwerks; all engine ancillaries removed, cleaned, and re-plated; brightwork refinished by the same plating shop used for his 300 SL restorations; new glass, interior, and soft top fitted by Konicek personally.
Bodywork and paint executed by Coachwerks. This was among the final restorations completed before Konicek's retirement.
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