1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with Hardtop
A 1962 right-hand drive Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, one of only 53 delivered to the British market that year, finished in DB-050 white with red interior and a matching hardtop. Originally registered in Yorkshire on 18 May 1962, the car accumulated just over 12,000 miles before entering dry storage from 1984 until 2007. Fully matching-numbers and factory-confirmed via Mercedes-Benz Heritage data card, the car subsequently received a sympathetic bare-metal restoration with most original mechanical components retained.
Ownership
- 2023-02-24Auction saleEstimate £150,000 – £170,000
- 1962-05-18 →Factory deliveryYorkshire lady, original ownerpartial documentation
The car was delivered new and registered on 18 May 1962, finished in white over red. The exact date of sale to the next owner is not recorded.
- → 2007Private saleJohn Mantellpartial documentation
Used only occasionally for special events; following a bicycle accident in 1984, Mr Mantell ceased driving and the car remained in dry storage until 2007. The circumstances are corroborated by a letter from Mrs Mantell.
- 2007-09-01 → 2009AuctionAuction buyer, 2007partial documentation
Purchased at auction together with the hardtop; odometer read approximately 12,000 miles at that time.
- 2009 → 2015-07-01AuctionOwner from 2009partial documentation
Acquired at a subsequent auction sale where the mileage of roughly 12,400 was considered genuine. This owner undertook a documented sympathetic restoration, retaining as many original mechanical components as possible and sourcing unavailable parts through Jacksons of Poole.
- 2015-07-01 →AuctionCurrent vendorfull documentation
Purchased at the Silverstone Classic Auction with 14,354 miles on the odometer. Purchased for light touring use; added power steering and sourced matching luggage. A few hundred additional miles were covered in the years since acquisition.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationJacksons of Poole
A comprehensive sympathetic restoration was undertaken, retaining original mechanical components wherever practicable; parts that could not be refurbished were sourced via Jacksons of Poole direct from Mercedes-Benz. A photographic record of all number-stamped components was compiled.
Work carried out by the 2009 owner prior to the 2015 auction consignment. Engine, gearbox, and axles confirmed matching-numbers via a Mercedes-Benz Heritage data card.
- —Bodywork
Complete bare-metal respray in the factory-correct DB-050 white, with all brightwork re-polished to a deep finish. Hood re-trimmed in black mohair.
The original unrestored hardtop was deliberately left in its as-found state to serve as evidence of the car's preserved originality.
- —Modification
Power steering was added after 2015 acquisition, and a set of matching fitted luggage was sourced for touring use.
Modifications carried out by the current vendor during ownership from 2015 onward.
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