Beatle Ringo Starr was another owner, as was the exemplarily stylish Miles Davis, the actress Ingrid Bergman, and film director Alfred Hitchcock.

Buyer or Seller Questions? Let’s Talk! 310-975-0272

Such a lovely car to drive: every time I take one for a spin through Beverly Hills, I watch heads spin in awe at its beauty, tongues almost literally hanging out in respect. So much of that 1950s’ era about it, but equally so much of today. And of tomorrow…

The delicate styling of the 190SL’s body, designed by Karl Wilfert and Walter Hacker, was closely modelled on the company’s masterly 215-horsepower Gullwing, but envisioned as a two-seater roadster: the 190SL’s look borrows heavily from the Gullwing. It was available with a fabric top and with a removable hardtop.

A third seat could be accommodated in the rear, albeit at right angles to the direction of travel.

Both cars, the Mercedes 190SL and the 300SL, the Gullwing, sat next to each other at the chilly February 1954 opening of the International Motor Sports Show at Madison Square Garden on 8th Avenue in New York City. Both cars would prove central to the revival of the Mercedes-Benz fortunes, less than 10 years from the finish of World War 2, physical symbols of the new German post-war economic miracle.

While the 190SL’s four-cylinder engine produced a relatively modest 77 kW/105 PS, designer Josef Müller explained at the time: ‘It is intended for a clientele who wish to cover long distances at high speed in a car that looks very sporty, but is also highly comfortable.’ From 1955 to 1963, and before the arrival of the Pagoda successor, around 26,000 examples of the 190SL were built.

We have one of these little miracles right now at Beverly Hills Car Club, a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Right-Hand Drive, a striking example finished in Fire Engine Red, complemented by chrome trim and a matching red interior. A black convertible soft top with a boot cover provides the perfect balance between classic coupe styling and open-air driving enjoyment.

This particular 190SL stands out as a rare right-hand-drive model, one of only approximately 562 produced in 1959, making it an especially desirable find for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Under the hood, this 190SL is powered by a 1.9-liter M121 inline-four engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Power is delivered through Solex dual carburetors, while drum brakes provide confident stopping power at all four corners. Additional equipment includes VDO instrumentation, a floor-mounted shifter, single exhaust outlet, chrome bumpers with overriders, 13-inch steel wheels with Mercedes-Benz hubcaps, jack, and a full-size spare tire.

Inside, the cabin reflects the understated elegance of Mercedes-Benz design, featuring low-rise bucket seats, door pockets, a Kenwood radio, a two-spoke steering wheel, and a dash-mounted rearview mirror.

A true classic from the golden era of Mercedes-Benz, this 190SL Right-Hand Drive offers timeless style, engaging performance, and mechanical reliability. Contact us today to learn more about this rare 190SL and experience a beautifully preserved piece of German motoring history that is mechanically sound.

At the instigation of the now legendary Maximilian Hoffman, the 190SL had been dreamt up at a meeting as late as September 1953. As Austrian-born Hoffman, a prolific importer of European luxury and sports cars to his famous Frank Lloyd-Wright designed Manhattan showrooms at 430 Park Avenue, already had persuaded Porsche of a ready US market for what became the 356 Speedster, Mercedes-Benz was happy to hear him out and to act on his suggestions.

He had let them know there was an unquestioned market for the 300SL Gullwing. And now this marketing genius had another dream: the 190SL.

With lightning speed the German company put Hoffman’s plan into action: an affordable new roadster, a convertible sports car, that in the USA could rival Fords and Chevrolets and cost less than $4000.

And it would be the Mercedes 190SL, on sale from January 1955 to 1963. The United States of America opened its arms to the 190SL: of the 25,881 manufactured, 40 per cent were sold in the USA, at $3998 a pop – the models with removable hardtop came in at $4,295. Such an influx of cash further ensured the continuation of the Mercedes dynasty.

Without the 190SL we might not have the wonder that is Mercedes-Benz to this day.

-Alex Manos, Owner