1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL at No Reserve

This 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL was completed on March 23, 1956 and has been registered in California for over 40 years. The car was acquired by the current owner in 2021, and a bare-metal repaint in metallic gray was carried out the following year. It is powered by a 1.9-liter inline-four paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and equipment includes dual Weber carburetors, a removable hardtop, 13″ steel wheels with body-color hubcaps, and an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth. This 190SL is now offered on dealer consignment at no reserve with a copy of the data card, service records, a car cover, the removed soft top, a tool kit, and a clean California title.

The car came finished from the factory in Graphite Gray Metallic (190) and was stripped to bare metal and repainted in 2022, following the completion of rust repairs. The hardtop was also repainted at that time while the soft top has been removed and is included in the sale. Paint protection film was applied to the hood and ceramic coating added to the body in 2025. A replacement windshield was installed some time ago.

Steel 13″ wheels wear chrome trim rings, hubcaps with body-color accents, and 18570R13 Kumho Solus tires. The car is equipped with a double-wishbone front suspension, rear swing axles with coil springs, and power-assisted drum brakes. The wheel cylinders were replaced in 2019.

The cabin features low-back bucket seats that have been reupholstered in black vinyl as well as matching door panels and dashboard trim. Amenities include a Becker Europa AM/FM radio with Bluetooth capabilities, an analog clock, and a dashboard-mounted rearview mirror. Speakers have been added to the rear firewall. The headliner is sagging and there are tears on the passenger seat and driver’s door armrest.

The two-spoke steering wheel wears an aftermarket lace-up cover and frames VDO instrumentation including a 210-km/h speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer as well as gauges for oil pressure, water temperature, and fuel level. The speedometer was repaired in 1992, and the five-digit odometer shows 96k kilometers (~60k miles), which is not considered to be accurate. Total mileage is unknown.

The 1.9-liter M121 inline-four was factory rated at 104 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque and was rebuilt in 1985. Dual Weber carburetors have been added. The spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, and ignition coil were replaced in 2021. Compression test results are viewable in the gallery.

Engine stamping 121921-6501113 is viewable above, and a corresponding number is listed on the copy of the data card.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a fully synchronized four-speed manual transmission. Fluids changes were performed in 2019.

Photos taken during the 2022 repaint are viewable in the gallery.

The car is accompanied by service records dating to 1985, the removed soft top, a set of tools, a car cover and bag, and a pair of rear seat cushions.

A copy of the data card is viewable above and lists the factory colors and serial numbers.