Lot 234 - 1960 12987 190SL

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL is a two door grand touring convertible with a removable hardtop that was produced between May 1955 and February 1963 with a prototype first shown at the 1954 New York Motor Show. It was sold alongside the faster, more expensive Mercedes-Benz 300SL which it closely resembled both in its styling, engineering, detailing and fully independent suspension. However, the 190SL did not use the 300SL's purpose-built tubular spaceframe W198 platform but was built on a shortened monocoque R121 unit. The 190SL was powered by a new 1.9 litre straight-four SOHC engine that developed 104bhp and was later also used in the W120, 180 and W121, 190 models. The four cylinder engine block of the 190SL was based on the six cylinder engine of the 300SL. The car was available either as a soft-top convertible or with removable hardtop.

Walter Donovan: He sticks out like a sore thumb. We'll find him.
Indiana Jones: The hell you will. He's got a two day head start on you, which is more than he needs. Brody's got friends in every town and village from here to the Sudan, he speaks a dozen languages, knows every local custom, he'll blend in, disappear, you'll never see him again. With any luck, he's got The Grail already.
[Cut to middle of fair in the Middle East, Marcus Brody wearing bright suit and white hat, sticking out like sore thumb]
Marcus Brody: Uhhh, does anyone here speak English?
 
One of the funniest scenes I can remember featuring, of course, the irrepressible Denholm Elliot as Marcus Brody. And it was he who first took delivery of this most elegant of sporting tourers back in October, 1960. The buff logbook still bears his name and signature. Five more owners are listed until, in 1986, the current owner bought it from Aberdeen as a restoration project. It was trailered back to Dorset where a nut and bolt restoration took place. The original white paint was stripped off to bare metal and a lustrous red was applied. The tan leather trim was installed locally by RJ Customising in Langport and the engine was split open for a rebuild. As it turns out, the engine was in excellent condition, requiring no re-bore and just fresh bearings and rings installed. It was then little used with the exception of the occasional drive to Beaulieu and local events. More recently, due to some micro-blistering, the car was stripped back down and repainted once more to the condition you see here today.  It currently runs on twin Weber carburettors although the original Solex 44PHH units are in the boot if required. A comprehensive file of invoices for parts and work, a number of instruction manuals and a full 12 month MoT test certificate  are also supplied along with a hard and soft top (new) and fitted tonneau cover.