Mercedes-Benz (W121) 190SL: Classic Drive

We go for a drive in one of the most timeless and elegant roadsters of all time, the Mercedes-Benz 190SL.

The Outeniqua Mountains running parallel to South Africa’s South Coast block our view of the rising sun. For now, at least. We have been on this road before – with three SELs. Today, however, we are focusing on one car, and a rather significant one – the Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster. 

The owner is behind the wheel and working the 4-speed manual gearbox. The mountain pass is not particularly steep but, with only 78 kW on tap from the 1.9-litre engine under the ‘Benz’s elegantly styled hood, and 2 adults on board, 4th gear simply doesn’t offer the necessary torque to power us up the hill.

Wisely, he keeps the car in 3rd. As the crisp morning air barrels into the cabin, I rest my left arm on the door and begin to absorb the details of the 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL. 

The interior is snug but it does offer an intimate connection with the car, even from the passenger seat, and a sensation that only small cars can achieve. The solid feel of the dashboard controls is in stark contrast to the thin rimmed steering wheel and dinky gearlever, but with tidy operation, all gain your admiration. 

The back story of this Mercedes-Benz 190SL

The current owner purchased the car in 1991. He is a true Mercedes-Benz enthusiast and drives this 190SL regularly, while maintaining all of his collection to the same high standard.

For instance, this 190SL received a full respray a number of years ago. It was the first time that a respray was needed and the paint was removed down to bare metal. The suspension has also received attention, and the result is a 190SL that you can’t really fault. 

The dark red hue contrasts vividly with the grey, brown and green landscape we find ourselves in now. Fortunately, there is no need for the cream hardtop this morning, although it does transform the look of the car to a true coupé without robbing the SL of its delicate lines. 

Although a roadster’s practicality is naturally limited, this SL does offer some form of compensation. Behind the driver’s seat is a small, side-facing chair. It is only ideal for a toddler, though – at a push.

Should you wish to have a roof over your head, you had better attach the cream fixed roof before you leave home. Once the roof is fitted, the car resembles the more expensive 300SL, which made its New York Motor Show debut alongside the 190SL in February 1954.

Other highlights of this car’s interior include the colour scheme. The combination of a cream steering wheel and red dashboard and carpets is as indulgent as eating strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. The rest of the dashboard and facia are graced with a plethora of levers and switches. There are levers for operating the cabin’s hot and cold air flow for both driver and passenger.

Specifications:

• Model: Mercedes-Benz (W121) 190SL
• Years produced: 1955–1963
• Engine: M121 1,9-litre, in-line 4-cylinder petrol
• Power: 78 kW at 5 700 rpm
• Torque: 155 Nm at 3 200 rpm 
• Transmission: 4-speed manual, RWD
• Weight: 1 160 kg
• 0-100 kph: 14,5 sec (claimed)
• Top speed: 170 kph (claimed)

There is also a pull switch for the blower, a clearance lights selector switch, and button for the main lights. Not forgetting a starting device for when the engine is warm (similar to that offered in the 300SL), and the choke. The clock still works, but needs to be manually wound up to start ticking. 

What is the Mercedes-Benz 190SL like to drive?

Finally, it is time to slip behind the steering wheel. As I found with the passenger side, the driver’s seat is cramped. But, if you like the compactness and involvement this provides, then you won’t complain – although the top of the windscreen does obscure my line of vision by a surprising amount. 

The clutch is easy to modulate, the gearlever less so because it doesn’t want to be rushed. Take your time, however, and you will quickly learn to point the gearlever in the correct direction.

The rather huge circumference of the steering wheel means it is easy to place and manoeuvre the car through the pass, as well as at parking speeds. But make no mistake, you can’t expect sports car performance from this engine. At the time of release, journalists remarked how the smaller engine (compared to the 300SL) and the heavy chassis deprived it of true sports car ability. 

Reviews at the time were quite damning, with statements by Road & Track such as, “First, this is not a sports car,” and, “For a 1.9-litre car, it is certainly not particularly light – it weighs 1 160 kg and, while that’s not bad for a very deluxe convertible coupé, it’s not light, let alone super light.”

One test figure came in at over or 1 360kg (about 200 kg above the claimed weight). Another review concurred: “This is no racing car – although it could probably be made into one if the factory were inclined to peel off a few hundred pounds in weight, close up the ratios and stiffen the springs and shocks.” 

However, it does depend on your definition of a sports car. Even though the 190SL was not known for being the lightest car at the time, it turns into corners with great enthusiasm. The steering is quite slow but very easy to master with a few miles under your belt. 

The engine revs with relative ease. As is typical of most Mercedes-Benz cars from the era, it is the dominating sound. The car’s sporty appearance owes much to the bonnet bulge, which can be seen from the upright and comfortable driver’s seat.

At an indicated 90 km/h, the engine sits at 2 700 rpm. That’s owing to the long gearing, which some testers took issue with when the car was new. But we are not chasing lap times or dicing with other cars today – the gear ratios have little negative effect on the driving experience. 

Each gearshift needs to be executed with precision. Yet, you need only two or three fingers to do so. The engine sound is deeper than I imagined it would be, especially if you consider its modest cubic capacity. Once you get into a rhythm, you realise how well judged the ride is. 

Watch: Episode 6 of the SentiMETAL video series, featuring a stunning silver 190SL

The 190SL’s double-wishbone front suspension and single joint swing-axle, with coil springs front and rear, offers a remarkably comfortable ride.

Summary

In total, 25 881 190SLs were produced. Of that number, 3 949 units were built in the year this car rolled off the production line – 1959.

That may seem like a relatively big figure but they are much more scarce now.

While the 190SL will always remain in the shadow of the 300SL Gullwing, Mercedes-Benz hit the nail on the head with this car. Its lines are timelessly elegant, with flair not too far removed from the iconic 300SL. The performance lacks the visceral sparkle of a true sports car, but that seems to matter little to classic car buyers today. 

“It comes near to being the ideal car for going to and coming from races,” said another review at the time. I think that captures the essence of the 190SL perfectly. And so does Mercedes-Benz’s very own, original 190SL brochure: “The car for sporty driving and enjoyable travelling.”

IMAGES: Charles Russell