1957 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

190SL Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

7500731

Gasoline

DESCRIPTION: 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (100+ photos below!) I purchased this car in the summer 2001, after looking at several different 190SLs over the years, I finally bought this one. This was the purest example of an original car that I could find, knowing I wanted to drive it, but not worry about the perfect "collector car". I found this car thru the 190SL Club Magazine. A collector in Michigan had owned it for about a decade. The previous owner gave me a large file of receipts and photographs of the history as he knew it. In 1984 -1986 the car went thru a very detailed, bare metal restoration performed by a company called 'Precious Metals Automotive Investment Company" in Grand Rapids, MI. The restoration took hundreds of billable hours and thousands of dollars. The restorer (a fellow named Rich Splaine) noted in his letters that there was not significant rust work, but the undercarriage alone cost $2893 at the rate of $22.00 per hour! The photos illustrate a true bare metal restoration with every $5 spark plug as well as the very expensive Bilstein gas shocks outlined in the many receipts. The previous owner purchased it in excellent, restored condition. The history before the mid 1980's is not known. Since 2001 this car has been maintained and stored by noted vintage Mercedes-Benz expert, Bruce Kelly of Lake Country Classics, in Minneapolis, MN. The car has always been garaged and has never seen snow (and seldom rain, although the top works great in rainstorms). I would drive it to our lake home in northern Minnesota, where the locals would try to get me the drive it in the 4th of July parade. The car can run all day at 70 miles per hour, and feels very safe and stable at those speeds. There was never a reason to go over 75 MPH but the car certainly could do so. It has been a reliable "driver" (unlike my old Austin Healey!) and runs best when driven often. Most of my trips were from the garage at home to a garage at work, or just a fun trip around the city on a nice day. I would use it almost daily in the summer when one of our daughters was home from college or we needed that extra car during the summer. It is a true convertible sports car experience with the smell of leather as well as the smell of gas and oil. Waiting for this radio tubes to "warm up" before signal reception I could never fully explain to our daughters. During my ownership everything that was needed was done by Lake Country Classics. Over that period I replaced the clutch, master brake cylinder, the gas tank, complete exhaust system, speedometer, battery, a tube in the Becker AM-FM radio, among other routine maintenance. The oil was changed frequently and was always as clear as gin. The mileage shows 10,372, but true mileage is unknown. My best estimate is that I drove it 1,000 to 1500 miles a summer during my ownership. The cylinder compression is strong and the oil pressure gauge always shows at the highest point on the gauge. It would be an honest assessment to say this is a very solid driver- my mechanic says its "a great driver" but the body is just average. Like any 54 year old body, it is showing its age and has a few wrinkles and cracks. It looks better from a distance but the appearance is not exceptional in any way. When I thought about having it painted before listing it for sale here Bruce Kelly (no relation) said to me "let the next guy paint it, he may want a different color." The color is an off white / putty color with near perfect red interior is a stunning combo. There are lots of spare parts, and what I believe to be the original factory Mercedes Benz SL workshop manual is included in the sale. I can get photos and describe details if needed. I have had a great 10 year run with the car, but I have decided it is time to let somebody enjoy it. If it does sell, somebody will get a very solid car that should last another 50 years. It always elicits compliments and a story about a friend or relative that once owned an SL, or the comment that some movie star drove one in the 1950's. Add a paint job and show it off at collector car shows, and you will take home an award. Regardless, it is a wonderful car with timeless design and quality German engineering. You get 90 % of the fun of a 300 SL at 10% of the price, and most people cannot tell the difference! Serious buyers only, please. I am a serious seller, am happy to answer serious inquiries, and will help facilitate transport, etc. Thanks for bidding! The 100+ photos below should speak for themselves, I tried to comment on many of the photos, especially where any shortcomings are visible. I believe in full disclosure, this car is an honest, solid, driver quality car. I'm a car guy and would be happy to talk to you about this vehicle. Please do not hesitate to call me between 8:00am and 8:00pm Central Time. My name is Warren. 612-741-9064 is my mobile number, or email me through eBay if you have questions or would like more information about the car. I'd be happy to talk to you about it. CONTACT: Email or call me (Warren) in Minneapolis, MN if you want to come and see it, take it for a test drive, ask questions, etc. About this Auction, who is "miti-mota"? I have asked local Twin Cities Mercedes-Benz Club Member and "Car Guy" Dave Tobin to list my car using his eBay account, as I do not have one. You can read about him by visiting his 'About Me' page. He built the auction on eBay for me using his account, but you will be dealing and speaking with me, Warren, the owner of the car directly if you call me. Dave just built the auction for me, as I'm not great with computers and don't have an eBay account. See below the photos for payment and additional auction particulars. Putty White exterior, red leather interior. Chipping paint on either side of the grille. Rust free body. Close up of paint chipping on front of car. Clear back window on the soft top. Black soft top has a couple of stains. Cracking paint on driver's rear. Light paint chipping, driver's side rear. Various paint chips. Chipping paint driver's side. Chipping and cracking paint by driver's door. More paint issues. Paint cracking above headlamp, driver's side. Scratch on passenger's door. Door panel has some wear, but is presentable. Door ends, sills and jambs are clean. Leather on both seats is soft and supple, no rips or tears. Correct square weave carpet throughout. Odometer shows 10,372, but true mileage is unknown. Engine compartment is honest, driver quality. Carburetors were changed to dual Webers. Numbers on firewall. Truck is dry as a bone, no rust or oxidation. Underneath shows a dry, summer driven car, no rust. Payment: Auction winner is required to contact me, Warren at (612) 741-9064 within 24 hours of auction end to arrange payment. Certified Check or Bank Wire Transfer will be accepted (only a legitimate, bank to bank wire transfer). Car is sold as is / where is / FOB Minneapolis, MN. The car is for sale locally, the auction can be ended at any time.