1962 Mercedes 190sl: Gorgeous, Very Original, Two Owner, Two-top W121 Roadster on 2040-cars

Offered for sale is an absolutely gorgeous, exceptionally strong running and original 1962 Mercedes 190SL Roadster finished in ever-striking factory-correct “Fire Engine Red” (DB 568) over a beautiful, restored Black leather interior. Sold new to a US Military physician stationed in Europe, he shipped the car back home with him when his commission ended and he carefully kept and maintained the car for the ensuing 25 years, eventually selling it in 1988 to a colleague, another doctor in Los Angeles.

Since that time the car has been the second owner’s pride and joy and daily driver, used to commute every fair weather day for the past 25 years between his home in Malibu and his practice in Beverly Hills. Despite having received consistent use throughout its 51 years, it was always fanatically maintained and babied, always kept out of the elements and in excellent running condition. Consequently, the car offered today is as tight and solid as many recently restored examples. 

While still a presentable survivor without any significant rust or accident history, in 2005 the second owner decided it was finally time for a cosmetic freshening and he commissioned a high-quality repaint in the original Fire Engine Red and a correct reupholstering of the interior in black leather. The Cardex obtained from the Mercedes Classic Center confirms that this was the way the car originally left the factory.

The results of his efforts are fantastic, the finish deep and lustrous, marred only by minimal imperfections too insignificant to appear in any of the pictures. The body is straight with consistent panel fits and gaps and the chrome is in excellent original condition, free of any dings or dents and showing only minimal wear despite its years. All of the glass and rubber is in great shape, the hubcaps and beauty rings are free of any significant dings or imperfections and the tires have plenty of remaining tread. The car comes with both soft and hard tops, the black soft top freshly redone in the correct material and the desirable, optional “big window” hardtop with a freshly reupholstered headliner.

The car’s interior is excellent, the leather seats, interior panels, dash and carpets showing only negligible wear. The ivory steering wheel is in fantastic, un-cracked condition and everything works, including the gauges. The car retains its original clock and, original Becker radio. 

The car is mechanically exceptional, the original, numbers matching engine starting effortlessly, idling consistently and pulling strongly and smoothly through each of the original transmission’s gears. The troublesome original Solex carburetors have been replaced in favor of Webers, providing the car with vastly improved reliability and the necessary performance to match its elegantly fast lines. Compression is excellent, hardly surprising considering that the engine was completely rebuilt in 2010. In fact, since 2005 the car has receipts for over $15,000 in service at Malibu Motors, an independent Mercedes specialist in Santa Monica, CA. Due to their consistent maintenance, we can also report that ride quality is superb, the car braking and handling as it should without any noises or vibrations. It’s a joy to drive, certainly as a weekend cruiser, but even as a daily driver, evidenced by the 25 years of frequent service it provided its prior owner. Despite that use, the engine compartment is rust-free and clean and the undercarriage remains solid, dry and original, undoubtedly owed to its garaged history in a dry environment. 

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a beautiful, solid and mechanically strong example of a rare, late production 190SL with an optional “big window” hardtop. With recent outlandish $200k+ auction results pushing 190SL values higher on a daily basis, the timing couldn’t be better to acquire an investment that can be enjoyed both aesthetically and on the road, and finding a better one than this example will be no easy feat. Please bid accordingly. 

We want this car to go to great home and would be happy to further discuss it and answer any questions, so please feel free to email us or call us at 805-202-4557. You can also visit us online at GoodmanReed.

Goodman Reed Motorcars

We’ve always had an appreciation for classic European cars and over the years have created an eclectic personal collection. We only buy cars that we’d personally be interested in owning and generally only sell them to make room for other acquisitions. That time has come for this Mercedes (if the price is right, of course – this isn’t a fire sale). We try to give accurate descriptions of the cars we’re selling, but we’re enthusiasts, not experts, and we encourage and are happy to help facilitate personal or professional inspections. But please do so before bidding, as the alternative harms our ability to make sales to other interested parties who have done their proper due diligence before bidding. 

For U.S. buyers a 10% non-refundable deposit is required within 3 days of the auction’s end, the balance to be paid within 7 days of the auction’s end. Foreign buyers must pay in full within 7 business days of the auction’s end. Buyer is responsible for shipping, however we’d be more that happy to help with recommendations and arrangements. The car is listed locally and we reserve the right to end the auction at any time should it sell prior to auction’s end. Thanks for your interest.

Please Note: The car's VIN/Chassis No. is: 12104010023996.