THE COMPLETE PACKAGE
This immaculately restored 1959 190SL has every available factory option – and tows its own matching teardrop trailer
Article and Photography: Jim Bowdring
Autumn in New England is a time when bright sunny days give way to cold crisp nights. It’s also a time when Mother Nature begins her annual taunt of our visual senses. Local trees of oak, cherry and maple suddenly jump off the canvas in a glorious spectacle of crimsons and golds. The irony here is that the leaves are nearing the end in a cycle of life as they fall aimlessly to the ground.
With a day like this as a backdrop, the owner of this classic German roadster couldn’t resist adding a little 1950s’ style to the show. Here is a meticulously restored classic ebony beauty with enough chrome to make Elvis jealous. No, the colors are not the vibrant hues that infuse the local landscape’s foliage, but this is certainly a glorious show in its own right. The only difference is, this automotive show is not ending any time soon. This particular 1959 Mercedes 190SL was once all but forgotten – left to the elements and certain death – until a passionate owner and a talented restorer joined forces. And the end of this story is pretty unusual.
This 190SL is a wonderful example of 1950s’ German automotive design that evokes memories of a simpler time. After a painstaking 12-month restoration that included the engine, leather, paint, chrome and tires, the finished product still wasn’t complete. As is typical of many major restorations, once the bug had stung, this owner was well and truly bitten.
After the basic restoration team finished, the search continued for as many factory, dealer, and aftermarket options available for this car some 50-plus years ago that could be found. Many of the options are almost undetectable, such as the Alboy spare gas tank and engine-bay work light or tool kit. Others are more noticeable – and just as appealing; the matching five-piece leather luggage set, leather upholstery with contrasting piping, shortwave radio, wicker picnic set with original Mercedes-Benz 1950s’ glasses and tableware, front fog lights, and a trailer hitch. Each individual element is rarely found on most 190 survivors today, but they are perfect complements to the marque. It’s a marvel to see all of them on one example.
But the addition of these options was not enough. With that trailer hitch lacking an attachment, the owner thought, “Why not completely drive that 1950s’ message home and add a matching vintage-era teardrop trailer to the package?” And this trailer certainly matches its tow vehicle. Starting with a basic reproduction of said era teardrop trailer designs from MiniTears of California – and adding some body panels, fenders and a few other details from the Mercedes-Benz spare parts bin – after about six months with 190SL restorer Bruce Adams in North Carolina, a custom-made one-off Mercedes-Benz teardrop trailer was created. Affectionately referred to as the “190 TD” by the current owner, this trailer creates a perfect synergistic union of 1950s’ style and function when coupled to the roadster.
The compact trailer has got to be the most effective use of 32 square feet on the planet. Housed within its 4-by-8-foot frame is a full-size bed, indirect lighting, TV/DVD, wine rack, sink, ventilation system, and tons of clever built-ins – including a vanity mirror and a cheese cutting board – all wrapped within an exotic hardwood interior. One gets the sense of being in a tiny high-end motor yacht from a bygone era. This unit is really something to behold and, I believe, might even convince many who see it that it has to be something that could have rolled off the Stuttgart assembly line some 50-plus years ago – it is that nice – as well as an unusual ending.
I guess there’s just no length to which an automotive enthusiast will go in order to keep the past alive. But now he has to go; maybe the family can squeeze in one more camping trip before the leaves are gone.
SPECIFICATIONS
1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster and Teardrop Trailer
TYPE: Two-door, 3 passenger roadster CHASSIS: Steel unibody
ENGINE: 1.897 liter inline 4-cylinder with single inline overhead cam
TRANSMISSION: 4-Speed Manual
HORSEPOWER: 120 at 5,700 rpm TORQUE: 114 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm
PERFORMANCE 0-60: 13.2 sec TOP SPEED: 105 mph FUEL ECONOMY: 18.8-25 mpg
TRAILER: 1,400 pounds Custom-built by MiniTears of Lakeland, California
Jim Bowdring’s 190SL was restored to concours-show condition, but that was only the beginning, as an accessory trailer hitch demanded a custom teardrop trailer.
The yellow-lens foglamps, with their fittings are, likewise, period-correct from the factory accessory catalog.
The engine is the concours-original 1.897 liter inline 4-cylinder engine with single inline overhead cam
In the gorgeous all-leather interior with contrasting piping, period seat belts, cocomats, and a Becker Europa radio with short-wave receiver are right out of the factory accessory catalog.
The original five-piece custom luggage accessory was an early acquisition.
The 190SL has been equipped with every possible factory accessory listed in the factory catalog, including Spare Parts Box, picnic basket, fuel container, first-aid box, fire extinguisher, automatic antenna, short-wave receiver and spot lamp.
The trailer was built on special order by MiniTears (www.minitears.com) of Lakeland, California, and modified by Bruce Adams with fenders, taillights, wheels, and bumpers to match the 190SL.
The car and trailer combination would be at home on the show field or in a family campground, using vintage accessories like the radio, cooker, and cooler.
The interior of the trailer has built-ins worthy of a yacht, with a custom sound-system and vintage cooler.