Georgia Peach

A beautiful 1957 190SL roadster comes out to play in Atlanta

Article Rubin Howard

Images Denis L. Tanney

Once upon a time, there was the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, the modern world’s first supercar. Introduced in 1954 as a two-seat coupe, then as a roadster in 1957, the Grand Prix racer turned street-legal car was a dream to many – and would never be more than that; a dream. From the W198’s complex aluminum-tube space-frame chassis to its dry-sump oil reservoir, the 300SL was a street-legal racecar. This dream machine sold for prices that seemed unattainable to most people.

 An affordable sporting Mercedes

However, for those who adored the 300SL’s long graceful lines and spaceship-like design – but wanted a more affordable car – there was the W121 190SL, which could be purchased at just over half the price of its older sibling. When the first Gullwing was shown at the New York International Motor Sports Show in February 1954, a hastily designed and assembled prototype of the 190SL was on display next to it.

Over the years, the intent for the 190SL’s existence has been heavily misunderstood by generations of enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz did not build the 190SL to serve as a successor to the 300SL, and many were unaware that both vehicles were being built at the same time. Nor was the 190SL ever intended to live up to the expectations set by the 300SL.

Hoffman and the 190SL

Following a request from U.S. automobile importer Max Hoffman that Daimler-Benz manufacture a customer version of the successful competition version 300SL – according to marque lore – Hoffman realized there would be an even larger marketplace for an affordable version as soon as he saw the early drawings of the Gullwing. Approved by the Daimler main board in September 1953 after Hoffman presented his proposal, the little car was on display in time for the debut of the production-ready Gullwing.

Rather than being designed from the ground up, the 190SL was intended as a boulevard cruiser based on a shortened W120 Ponton 180 sedan chassis. The platform was a logical means to produce a more civilized and more affordable sports car. The power plant of the 190SL further reinforced this goal. Powered by a 120-horsepower, straight-4 single-overhead-cam engine fitted with twin Solex carburetors, the little roadster was by no means a high-performance vehicle.

The reaction of the crowds in New York – and a more finished version in Geneva six months later – proved Hoffman right. The car went into production two months later in May 1955.

Hallmarks of the 190SL

The 190SL presented to the world a two-seat roadster with design cues substantially similar to its competition-focused older sibling, most notably the large and pronounced radiator grille, beautifully proportioned “eyebrows” over the fenders and signature round headlights. Many consider the car’s fender treatment to be the most characteristic element of its design. As well, the 190SL could be had with a soft top or hardtop; or in some instances, both.

Sit down in the 190SL; if you’ve ever sat in another classic Mercedes, you’ll instantly find yourself familiar with its cockpit. A large, beautiful steering wheel with integrated turn-signal/horn-ring assembly entices you to drive the car. The dash-mounted rear-view mirror,  customary to the 300SL, once again makes an appearance in the 190SL.

The build quality of the luxurious interior was second to none. Each dashboard was wrapped in sumptuous leather. Every knob, switch and slider was made out of the finest quality materials. VDO gauges display all information to the driver with elegant san-serif numerals and subtle backlighting. Overall, an exuberance of chrome, leather of the owner’s choice, and body-color paneling gracefully cosset its owner in this overlooked masterpiece.

The 4-cylinder engine was matched to a fully synchronized 4-speed manual transmission. The 190SL comes to a halt via hydraulically power-assisted drum brakes. Performance was satisfying by the standards of the day; the 190SL held its own against similar roadsters, but it was never considered an enthusiast’s car and only a few ever found their way into amateur sports-car racing, a popular venue for true sports cars.

All good things

Production of the 190SL ended in 1963 after a successful build run of 25,881 units, 10,000 of which were sold to the U.S. market. The series W113 230SL, the successor of both the 300SL and 190SL, represented the spirits of both vehicles in one car. It offered drivers the same luxurious amenities, respectable performance figures, modern technology, and a paradox between sports car and luxury roadster. The 230SL was fitted with a soft top and available with a hardtop that enabled owners to use their cars year-round in comfort.

A 190SL in Georgia

This particular 190SL is from 1957 and now resides in an exquisite private collection containing a wide range of vintage Mercedes-Benz models. As one of four 190SLs in the collection, this car stands out from its companions due to the extreme quality of its restoration. No detail was spared or overlooked, regardless of cost. The only change was the addition of electronic ignition as a modern-day convenience.

The owners very generously agreed to take the car out of the collection and allow us to photograph it in place and in motion at a small airport just on the outskirts of metropolitan Atlanta.

Despite being an older restoration, the previous owners of the vehicle cared for this 190SL so well, you wouldn’t be able to tell it had been restored more than two decades ago. From a mechanical standpoint, the 190SL runs as well as the day it was test-driven for the first time on the company test track in Untertürkheim.

In today’s world, the 190SL still commands the presence and attention it once did when new. Everywhere we stopped, people paused to admire the stylish roadster. As this Georgia peach was being photographed, the co-owner was smiling cheek to cheek. As we drove with him on open roads between the photography site and the car-storage facility he shares with his son, the proud owner took great pleasure in climbing up and down the gears and freely revving along.

Based on our day with the little red car, we have no problem understanding why the 190SL was such a success in its day and remains such a mainstay of many collections today.

This 1957 190SL’s red-over-tan color combination perfectly showcases the model’s outstanding period style, while the generous chrome details enliven the car’s fine proportions.

After its rapturous reception in New York, the 190SL was revised for production. Changes included a reworked front grille opening and a power-dome hood derived from the 300SL.

With an inviting, beautifully built interior and a 4-cylinder engine providing reasonably adequate sporting performance for the period, the 190SL proved a sales hit for Mercedes-Benz.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster (W121)

TYPE: Two-door, two-passenger roadster • removable hardtop

ENGINE: M121 • 1,897cc, single overhead cam 4-cylinder • two Solex carburetors

TRANSMISSION: 4-speed manual

POWER: 120 hp at 5,700 rpm (SAE)  TORQUE: 114 lb-ft at 3,800 rpm (SAE)

LENGTH: 166.1 in  CURB WEIGHT: 2,552 lb  FUEL EFFICIENCY: 19 mpg

PERFORMANCE: Zero-60 mph 13.2-14.5 sec  TOP SPEED: 105-112 mph

An Eclectic Collection

The father and son who own the 190SL prefer to keep a low profile. Their collection contains a wide variety of Mercedes-Benzes, from four 190SLs in various conditions to later-model W113-series Pagodas, W111-series coupes and cabriolets, W109-series 6.3 sedans, a W100-series 600, and dozens of R107-series SLs. It also extends to more recent-model vehicles such as W140-series S600s and even rare jewels such as a 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II.

The family has been loyal to the Mercedes-Benz marque since the 1950s and shows no signs of ending the relationship. With the father being a designer and his son being an engineer, they respect and value the Mercedes-Benz brand in different ways, but come to a consensus regarding the marque. While one admires every thoughtfully penned line and crease, the other immediately opens the hood and appreciates the engineering quality. In the case of the 190SL, both respect it as an attainable status symbol that celebrates the finer things in life.

Father and son buy and sell classic vehicles commercially and are in continuous correspondence with their family-owned private Mercedes-Benz automotive museum in Germany that displays masterpieces illustrating the credo, “The best or nothing.” We gratefully thank them for inviting us into their Mercedes-Benz utopia.