CHASSIS NO: 7503006 - Freshly restored by marque specialists, Equipped with extremely rare factory sunroof hardtop, Restored Becker _Mexico AM/FM radio and fitted luggage, Striking color combination and presentation. 1,897 cc SOHC inline four-cylinder engine, twin Solex sidedraft carburetors, 105 HP, four-speed manual gearbox, fully independent suspension with front wishbones and coil springs, rear swing-axle with coil springs, and power-assisted four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes; wheelbase: 94.5". SHIPPING NOTE: WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS CAN PLAY AN ASSISTIVE ROLE IN FACILITATING SHIPPING/TRANSPORT AT THE BUYER'S EXPENSE. VIEW MORE PICTURES

Introduced at the 1954 New York International Motor Sport Show alongside the 300SL _Gullwing,_ the 190SL was the brainchild of U.S. Mercedes-Benz importer Max Hoffman. Similar in appearance to the 300SL yet less complex and costly, the 190SL_s _Sport Leichtbau_ label denoted a sporting character and the use of lightweight aluminum for the hood, doors, and rear decklid. Rigid monocoque construction, roll-up windows, and an available aluminum hardtop were other 190SL virtues.
Fritz Nallinger led 190SL engineering. Using proven mechanical components from the _Ponton_ line, the 190SL was powered by a SOHC 1.9-litre _four_ with twin Solex carburetors producing 105 horsepower. Other components included a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel, power-assisted _Alfin_ drum brakes. Full-independent suspension included front wishbones and coil springs with swing axles and a compensator spring at the rear for predictable handling. Performance was quite good, with the touring-oriented 190SL delivering 0-60 acceleration in 13 seconds and a top speed near 110 mph.
Walter Hacker and his team designed the 190SL body under the direction of Mercedes-Benz design head Karl Wilfert. Among the designers was a young Paul Bracq, who was later Mercedes' head of design responsible for the 230/250/280 SL lines and 600 models. Mr. Bracq's many design credits also included work for BMW, Citro‰n, Peugeot, and France_s TGV high-speed trains.
Internally designated W121, the production-ready 190SL debuted at the 1955 Geneva Show and customer deliveries soon followed. A hit from introduction, the 190SL earned design awards in Holland, Switzerland, and at France_s Grand Prix d'Elegance. While intended as a stylish grand tourer without racing pretensions, the 190SL was effective in competition with factory support and expertise readily supplied to preferred clients. During 1956, Doug Stearne drove a 190SL to victory at the rainy Macao Grand Prix, leading the second-place Ferrari Mondial by 2 « laps at the finish. At Casablanca that year, Mercedes distributor Joseph F. Weckerl‚ took the under 2.0-litre class win with his 190SL.
Confirming Max Hoffman_s keen sense of American buyers and their specific requirements, the 190SL outsold the 300SL _ coupe and roadster combined _ by a factor of eight to one. In all, Mercedes-Benz produced 25,881 190SLs from 1955 to 1963. In testament to its excellent design, the success of the 190SL encouraged Mercedes_ subsequent single-platform policy for its sports cars, one that continues today. Virtually all the era_s top personalities favored the 190SL; among them were screen icons Grace Kelly, Gina Lollobrigida, Ingrid Bergman, and Yul Brynner. More recent celebrity owners of the 190SL include former Beatle Ringo Starr and Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow.
This 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster is a freshly restored example, with mechanical work performed by Jeff Huber of Huber Restorations and body and paint by Straight Line Restorations, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma. As offered, this 190SL is handsomely finished in Light Blue Metallic with a contrasting yet complementary dark blue interior, matching convertible top and boot cover, and proper German square-weave carpeting. This 190SL also includes an extremely rare removable hardtop equipped with a sunroof, which retains Mercedes-Benz factory stampings confirming it is not an aftermarket accessory. Other outstanding accessories include a restored Becker _Mexico_ AM/FM radio and a beautiful set of fitted luggage inside the trunk. The engine and engine compartment are freshly restored to match the rest of the car with correct components, finishes, and accessories all in place. A tool roll, complete with leather straps, a new spare tire, and an owner_s manual are included. Now offered from a discerning collector and enthusiast, this 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL is simply captivating and one of the most stunning examples we have offered in recent memory.