Istorie
The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was not designed to be a true sports car, but an elegant and sporty two-seated GT car.
Kirk Douglas (Michael Douglas’ father) or Sandra Dee owned Mercedes-Benz 190 SLs.
Full description
n a way that resembled the construction of the 300 SL model, which had been put together from existing structural components, another sports-type car was developed on the basis of the 180 model. In contrast to the famous “Gullwing-door” coupe, the roadster 190 SL was not designed to be a true sports car, but an elegant and sporty two-seated GT car. The body, designed by Karl Wilfert and Walter Haecker had stylistically been derived from that of its older brother. The shortened framework of the 180 model served as chassis; a sophisticated space frame like that of the 300 SL was not required, because of its less extreme driving performance.
The 190 SL was powered by a new 1.9-liter four-cylinder unit with overhead camshaft which spawned a whole engine family and was also incorporated in derated form into the pontoon-type saloon 190.
The 190 SL was presented to the public eye together with the 300 SL at the "International Motor Sports Show", which took place in February 1954 in New York. While the 300 SL was almost ready for serial production, the 190 SL model was still a prototype, which had neither been tested technically, nor was it stylistically refined to an adequate level. Both aspects had been carefully revised, so that serial production did not start until January 1955 (pre-series) and May 1955 (main series). The final version was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1955 for the first time with marked changes to its exterior. The most significant change was that the model now came without the stylized air inlet device on the bonnet. There were lancets above the rear wheel arches as well as modified bumpers and indicators or reflector lights.
The 190 SL came in three different version: as roadster with a hood, but without a hardtop, as a coupe with removable hardtop, optionally with or without a hood. Another version, a 190 SL with more pronounced sports-car characteristics with light-metal sports-car doors and a small plexiglas wind screen was no longer advertised after spring 1956.
Kirk Douglas (Michael Douglas’ father) or Sandra Dee owned Mercedes-Benz 190 SLs.
This car has covered 7,480 km.
