Mercedes 190 SL (1956)
Although most of us would know about the Mercedes 300 SL with its famous gull-wing doors that featured again in the far more recent Mercedes SLS AMG, the 190 SL is almost as worthy of mention in the annals of world motoring history. The German manufacturers first introduced the 190 SL at the New York Auto Show in 1954 and the car went into production in 1955 with Mercedes producing more than 25,000 units till 1963.
The two-door grand touring roadster was powered by a 1,897-cc SOHC four-cylinder engine with twin two barrel side-draft carburettors. Maximum power of 105 PS was developed at 5,700 RPM with 142 Nm of peak torque being cranked out at 3,200 RPM. Transmission to the rear wheels was via a four-speed manual gearbox. Tipping the scales at just over 1,160 kg, the 190 SL, which featured a unibody construction, could get up to over 100 miles an hour. To bring this roadster back to a halt, four 230-mm internally expanding drums were used in conjunction with power assist.
The one seen here is a 1956 example that is being restored to its original glory by Yohan, his trusted lieutenant Percy Bhathena and their team of passionate technicians. Even after nearly half-a-century of existence, the 190 SL still looks fresh and will stand out in a crowd. And not just because it’s a rare classic. It was a distinctive design even in its heyday.
