Siblings are often radically different from each other. I know that from experience: my brother is into comics, video games, and sports, whereas I nerd out over cars, clothes, and watches. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and 190 SL models that came out in the 1950s had a similar dynamic. You can see some of the differences between the two in our Pick of the Day. This 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
At the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York, Mercedes introduced the nearly production-ready 300 SL, which many know as the “Gullwing,” and a prototype of the 190 SL (which began production in May of ’55). Although Karl Wilfert and Walter Häcker styled the 190 SL to look like its sibling, according to the automaker, “In contrast to the famous wing-door coupé, the roadster 190 SL was not designed to be a true sports car, but an elegant and sporty two-seated GT car” available as a roadster with a soft top or a coupe with a removable hardtop—with or without a fabric roof.
Given its less demanding position in the Mercedes lineup, the 190 SL didn’t need the Gullwing’s space frame—or its power. Instead of a 3.0-liter straight-six with direct fuel injection, the 190 SL was powered by a new 105-horsepower 1.9-liter I4 equipped with a pair of Solex downdraft carburetors and a four-speed manual gearbox. North American consumers didn’t seem to mind the 190 SL’s more relaxed approach. Between 1955 and 1963, Mercedes made 25,881 190 SLs—and sold 40 percent of them (10,368) in this market.
This particular W121 SL comes in the attractive, high-contrast combination of cream paint and a black soft top over a vibrant red leather interior. The selling dealer mentions that it recently received a variety of mechanical updates. Those include new Vredestein Sprint Classic tires, Bilstein shocks, and clutch linkage components (support bracket and pushrod bushings), as well as a brake system cleaning and service. For better performance and throttle response, the Solex carbs were replaced with Weber units, but they do come with the purchase of the car.
It’s easy to see why so many 190 SLs made their way to these shores. It pairs some of the 300 SL’s graceful, athletic lines with a more leisurely driving experience. If you want this 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL to make its way into your garage, be prepared to spent $119,000.
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