Mercedes-Benz 190SL

This is certainly the longest break I’ve taken since the last post was published in early January this year. But as always, YOUR DREAM AUTO strives to bring you write-ups of rare cars in the flesh and keeping with that tradition, we have a 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL for you guys to digest today. 

This particular model was one of the early SLs beaten by only the 300SL by about a year or so. There are many out there who may get confused between the 300SL and the 190SL. The 190SL in simple words was actually the ‘poor man’s’ 300SL or maybe I should say ‘more affordable’ considering the price of the 190SL which was still expensive during those days and even now. There were about 25,000 units of the 190SLs built right from 1955 to 1963 and as expected based on it’s model designation, it came with a 1.9 litre, four-cylinder, single cam engine coupled with a four speed manual gearbox. They were all built as roadster models but there were some which came with a detachable hard-top.

This particular car today is a 1961 model of the 190SL. The owner has been patiently restoring it for the past three years of which most time was spent sourcing for certain parts in order to maintain it’s originality. As you can see from the pictures attached, this is one car which has certainly gone through a thorough restoration process with no expense spared right from the exterior, interior as well as it’s engine compartment and mechanicals. 

Like most classic Mercedes-Benz automobiles, the design and curves on them are certainly breathtaking. I too was mesmerised by it’s beauty in flesh. Just looking at those lines and feeling them gave me that nostalgic feeling of what these cars were and are till today. Well, do enjoy the pictures as well as the video of a similar car posted below. 

The video:

Mercedes-Benz SL R107 / C107

Probably one of the most common SLs on the road, the Mercedes-Benz R107/C107 is still an eye-catcher even till this day. All those of you who were born in the 70s and 80s would remember the TV serial ‘Dallas’, and this model was one of the stars of the show. The automobile star was a Mercedes-Benz 450 SL and was none other than Bobby Ewing’s car although the car featured there was the American spec(pic below) version which included the bigger bumpers and the round headlights among others.

There were two variations available for this model, namely the Cabriolet(pic above) and the Coupe(pic below). The cabriolets were known as the SL and used the chassis code of R107 and the coupes on the other hand were known as the SLC and carried the chassis code C107. Most cabriolets also came with a detachable hard top. Production ran from 1972 right up to 1989 with approximately 300,000 units being built which included cabriolets and coupes. Common on many Mercedes two door models, they always came with the bigger engines. There were only two 6 cylinder engines available, namely the 2.8 litre and the 3.0 litre, but there were a number of V8 engines available, namely the 3.5 litre, 3.8 litre, 4.2 litre, 4.5 litre, 5.0 litre and the rare 5.6 litre. 

There are a number of well kept examples running around. I’ve personally driven a 380 SL several years back which came with the 3.8 litre V8 engine and the torque on that engine was really impressive for it’s age. For those wanting to own one, it’s really worth it as the price for these models have been on the rise steadily so if you get one at a good price chances are it’ll be a good investment. As for the price of the cabriolet models they range from about RM 70,000 and above for decently kept ones but do expect to pay premium if they are in mint condition but if you don’t mind the coupes, they sell for about RM 55,000 and above depending on the condition of course. Just a piece of advice in case you are looking for one, get one with the V8 engine as this car runs better on the V8s. 

 Mercedes-Benz SLC Coupe

 Mercedes-Benz SL Cabriolet (American spec)