The baby 300 SL

O​verlooked by many, the 190 SL is a great alternative if you want a 300 SL, but don't have a million bucks to spare.

O​ne has a six cylinders, the other one only has a four. One has 215 PS, and the other one has 105 PS. One was sold 1'400 times, the other one nearly 26'000 times. One is expensive, and the other one is extremely expensive. Here are the main differences between two cars that look almost identical. In 1955, while their super exclusive 300 SL was on sale, Mercedes-Benz needed a more affordable alternative to attract more customers. So was it, the 190 SL was born. Even though both cars look very similar, they are entirely different.

While the 300 SL was offered as both Coupe and Roadster, the 190 SL was only sold as a convertible. It's also important to the point that these cars have nothing in common in terms of their philosophy. The 300 SL is a race car for the road and the 190 SL is more of a cruiser, even though a race model was available during its first year of production. All in all, the small convertible represents the foundations of the SL lineage.

The 300 SL may have stolen the show, but the 190 SL was still very popular. Built to resemble the styling of its big sister, the 4-cylinder convertible was more usable, compact, and cheaper. Just like the 300 SL, the 190 SL was Max Hoffman's idea. The famous US importer needed something that looked like a million-dollar, but for the masses. The 190 SL was a success, and nearly 26'000 cars were sold between 1955 and 1963.

Mercedes-Benz's concept was to offer a no-compromise little sports car that could do a bit of everything. That's what the brochure said; “The Mercedes-Benz model 190 SL successfully and skillfully combines the characteristics of a high-performance sports car with the comfort of a touring car, and offers the sporting driver those qualities of acceleration, road holding, maneuverability and exciting top speed which make driving a pleasure and every road a challenge. At the same time, through generous provision for luggage as well as a third optional seat, this model may be used for practical everyday transportation, city driving and family touring. Here is a product truly worthy of the Mercedes racing and sporting traditions, embodying at the same time the practical comfort for which the standard sedans are famous.” This is very much like an Americanized ad, but most of these facts were correct. The 190 SL brilliantly managed to be a little bit of everything, and that's why people kept on buying them.

​How does it feels like today? Well, not too bad for an over-50 years old car. Yes, it is a slow car, but considering the competition from the time (Triumph TR2 or Porsche 356), the 190 SL runs like a charm. That small engine is very durable, and the 4-speed manual is precise. No wonder so many people use them for classic races and rallies. What about the prices? In Switzerland, $110'000 is the lowest price for a running car unrestored. Is it a bargain? Hard to tell, but if we just take into account the fact that a 300 SL costs ten times the price, maybe it is. Please bare, $110'000 is still a lot of money for a car that was produced 26'000 times. Would we buy it? The 190 SL is a fun little roadster that looks beautiful, but it lacks some sportiness. For this price, I'd instead go with a Porsche 356. But that's only my opinion. If you are just looking for a cruiser with great looks, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is for you.

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