Good bones: ’55 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
The 190SL utilized some of the features of the 300SL like its independent rear suspension but the 190 was built on a shortened sedan platform and not a trick space frame. It is powered by a carbureted four-banger breathing through twin Solex carburetors. The 190SL was a bit of a poser. It had lots of styling cues from the 300SL but it was more of a cruiser than a fire breather. It also shared the 300SL’s incredible build quality. For this reason, 190SLs are expensive to restore as the more valuable 300SL. If you are drawn to a 190SL, you should probably benefit by someone else’s restoration effort than embark on one of your own. We found this one in Marin County, California and it has been in the same family for 42 years. Yes, it needs a lot to be a show stopper, but it just looks like an honest car you could enjoy while improving things as you go along. It’s probably going to need about $8,000 right off the bat to get road reliable again.
The rubber bits are probably shot, brakes need a going through, fuel system, electrical etcetera.The Hagerty Price Guide has a range of $27,000 for a #4 car which this one certainly is. You might be able to get it for less. Read more and see more detailed photos on the eBay listing by clicking here.
These cars have gone up a lot over the last few years and of course price guides lag the market anyway. Expensive to restore yes, but not AS much as a 300SL. I’ve seen top level 190SLs recently at around $200k(yes, it costs more than that to have one professionally restored to top level). Even about 7 years ago a super original “time-machine” like car with only a documented 6500 miles sold for about $165k.