1960 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Convertible

1.9L inline 4 cylinder gasoline

Manual

12104010003

Clear

Gasoline

Why I'm selling I've owned this Mercedes Benz 190SL for more than 30 years - purchased on May 17, 1982. Now it's time to sell. We have new twins (a boy and a girl) and a garage that's too small for cars, motorcycles, and everything else. I've had as much enjoyment with this car as I'll ever have. My role has been a steward for the next owner. This is a rare, un-restored Mercedes. It's in the same condition as the day I bought it. Now I'd like to find a new owner. Someone who will take as much pride and joy owning it as I have. History This Mercedes was ordered from the Frankfurt plant on August 1, 1959. I have the original order sheet and bill of sale in German and the English translation. The order sheet has the following "coverings." Varnishing: uniform ivory DB 608. Stuffing: leather re 1079. Covering: black 872. These options were added. USA special execution, DM 102. Cross-seat in the back of the car, leather, DM 180. Cost for transfer from Sindelfingen to Frankfurt/Main, DM 5. The base cost was $17,650 Deutsche Marks (DM). The buyer received a 15% diplomatic discount; for a base cost of DM 15,002.50. In 1960 the conversion rate was 4.17 DM to one US dollar. The car, plus options, cost $3,666 in 1960. As you can see in the photos, the car is now black and not the original ivory. The car was black when I bought it 30 years ago. I have often thought of restoring the car but I love the patina and look of an original car. Anyone can own a pristine, fully restored car. But an original, well cared for car is much rarer. Interior The car has never been restored and it's very original. As you can see in the photos it has the original red leather seats. The stitching has come out but the leather is soft and supple and wears well. The original rubber floor mats have deteriorated and I no longer have them. Four years ago I had red carpets made for the car. I did it just before getting married and we used the car to get to and from the wedding. The car also has the rare third seat known as the "transverse seat" which provides additional seating. Soft top The convertible soft top fabric was replaced before I bought the car. The interior bows that support the top are covered in the original cloth herringbone fabric. There are some water marks on the herringbone fabric. There is a small tear on both sides of the fabric, it's exactly where the latch is that holds the top down. I put the top down just after I bought the car and caught it on the latches, both sides. That hurt. Hard top The car comes with a black hard top. The hard top has the original Mercedes cloth herringbone fabric. I've never put the hard top on the car. It's been stored all these years in a heated warehouse. Exterior The exterior is in average condition, as reflected in a condition 3 rating. There was some body work done, prior to my purchase, on the bottom of the driver-side door. The door does not sit flush to the body. The door opens and closes like new. I have looked underneath, at the frame, and there was never any damage. The door is perfectly aligned and it opens and closes with a feather touch. You really need to hear the sound of the door as it mechanically latches into place. Brakes The brakes and brake lines were replaced a few years ago. If you don't use the car for a while, it will pull left or right when you first brake. After braking a few times it pulls very straight and true. A prior owner had the same problem, as indicated on a repair bill. Mechanicals I have kept the car in faithful working condition. The fluids have been replaced regularly, the brakes are fairly new, and the tires have low miles on them. I am a fanatic about keeping the car in excellent working order. The car has the original two dual-throat Solex 44PHH carburetors on it. Many people, doing a less conscientious restoration, replace the Solex carbs with Webers or Mikunis. These carburetors are rare. There is no rust in the rear wheel wells. This area was prone to rust so if you consider another car, make sure to look deep into the rear wheel wells. Miles I bought the car with 71,440 miles on it. At that point the car was "only" 22 years old. For the first 22 years the car averaged 3,247 miles/year. Pretty low miles for a somewhat new roadster. The odometer now reads 85,000 miles. In 30 years I've driven it 13,560 miles, or 452 miles/year. The car needs to be driven at least 400 miles a year to keep it in proper mechanical working condition. Over the past 52 years the car has been driven, on average, 1,634 miles/year. Documentation I have the original order letter and bill of sale from the factory, dated August 10, 1959. It's in German and someone provided an English translation, dated August 17, 1959. The car comes with the original owners manual and another manual that lists Mercedes service stations around the world. I also have various repair bills and title transfers documenting previous owners. Driving The car starts easily and it's very easy to drive. It pulls straight and true and at 50-55 MPH you can take your hands off the steering wheel (for a quarter- to a half-mile) and it goes perfectly straight down the road. At 60 MPH you can carry on a conversation. The wind noise is minimal and there is no buffeting. This is a 4-speed manual transmission, not an automatic.