From Rusty Wreck to Pristine Classic Racer: Mercedes-Benz 190SL

Having come perilously close to a rusty end, this 190SL now fires around South Africa as a fizzing tribute to one of the rarest Mercedes racers ever to compete in motorsport. We travel to Bloemfontein for a rare opportunity to pilot it and discuss the story with the owner. 

Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms 

Photos: Kian Eriksen

“In the beginning, you search for cars, then after a while cars start finding you.” A very true statement by the owner of this 1956 190SL, which is a rolling tribute to the incredibly rare racing sports car of the same year.

“It took me 11 years to find my first 190SL, and another two years to find the next one.” Two more followed, including this tribute, and all are meticulously restored.

When I first heard about this 190SL racer for the road, I hoped the owner had not cut up a perfectly good 190SL to build it. My fears were quickly laid to rest when I met him and realised how perfectly he had restored all four 190SLs, as well as every other classic Mercedes-Benz in his collection. 

This 190SL was basically scrap metal when he found the wreck around 18 years ago. It was discovered in a small railway station scrapyard in Wolwehoek, 100 km south of Johannesburg. Once the wreck was put on a trailer and taken to the owner’s home, he started selling some of the parts and also using parts for his other cars. 

However, he quickly realised not only how valuable the parts were, but that the wreck was actually salvageable. “With the help of the Internet, you soon realise that selling the wreck as parts isn’t the right thing to do – the parts are simply too valuable. That is when I made the decision to restore the car.” 

He bought back everything that he had sold, and because of the state of the roadster and the shortage of parts, the decision was made to build a tribute to the 190SL racing car, one of the rarest track stars in the company’s history. 

What followed was a two-year journey. The original 190SL Racing’s single claim to fame came in 1956. With Welsh driver Doug Steane behind the wheel, it won the Macau Grand Prix in Hong Kong. Even so, there is very little documentation about this event, even from Mercedes-Benz. “I contacted Dieter Ritter who was the buyer for the Mercedes-Benz Museum. He told me that the 190SL Racing is one of the least documented cars in its archive.” 

However, Dieter put the owner in touch with Bruce Adams in the USA who has also built a tribute and was one of the most knowledgeable people when it came to the 190SL Racing. The owner also became a member of the 190SL Group in the USA, a sub division of the Mercedes- Benz Club of America. 

Sourcing parts for the tribute was similar to working on a jigsaw puzzle. In the end, the Perspex wind deflectors, mesh grilles for the headlights, side mirrors, pseudo knock-offs attached to the wheels, and two doors were sourced from Bruce Adams. Furthermore, the frames of the seats (from a 300SL) and bonnet were imported from the Netherlands. One front wing was bought from a fellow collector in Cape Town and the rear end from another. This is without doubt a true globally sourced 190SL!

• Find a classic Mercedes-Benz for yourself here.

The period correct 300SL seat upholstery was imported from Germany, following a complete rebuild of the seats themselves, but these are not the only parts borrowed from a 300SL Gullwing. The side mirrors are also the same units as used on the iconic Mercedes. However, with the aim of practicality and symmetry, there are two side mirrors, unlike the single units which were fitted to the original 190SL and 300SL. 

Looking at this car, it is clear where the 200 kg of weight has been shaved off (a standard 190SL Roadster weighs 1 140 kg, or 20 kg more from 1960). There are no roof mechanisms – only two hoops in case the car rolls over in a crash – and no front or side windows. Lift the bonnet and even here the engine bay is simpler than that of a standard 190SL's. A few of the vents in the nose have been closed off, and all the pipes and other auxiliaries have been taken out and tidied up. Furthermore, the mud flaps, air intakes and even the brake booster have been removed. 

As it was the owner’s aim to produce a version matching the performance of the original car, the engine has also come under scrutiny and has received a few modifications. With 78 kW/155 N.m of torque out of the box, the 1.9-litre, four-cylinder engine (with five main bearings, signaling the fact that the engine is one of the later units) has received a set of side draft Weber carburettors, a more aggressive camshaft, an electronic fuel pump, a special manifold and a free flowing exhaust system. The engine and the engine bay are totally clean, illustrating the meagre 750 km the car has done since its full restoration was finished. 

Eagle-eyed readers will notice the rear wheels, which seem to fill the arches more purposefully than a standard car’s. This is not owing to spacers, rather this Racing tribute has been lowered, while the tyre and wheel combination are wider (205/60SR13) compared to a standard 190SL. The wheels also feature replica knock-off ends, meaning the wheels are still fastened with normal bolts. Believe me, as the pictures hopefully suggest, this car really does look the part. 

The number 722 painted on the bonnet and the doors doesn’t need an explanation. The owner simply thought that since the original car has such a rich history, it had to have a number on it. Sir Stirling Moss’s start time during the 1955 Mille Miglia in his 300SLR seemed perfect. 

When I asked the owner which of his 12-strong collection his two sons usually drive, I’m not surprised when he tells me this 190SL and an AMG. Swing open the driver’s door and you immediately notice how light it is. Slip down into the cloth seat and you quickly realise how close to the ground you actually sit. At first, the cabin might feel the same as that of any other 190SL, but the feeling soon vanishes. 

I grab each belt of the five-point harness and clip them into place – the first time I’ve done such a task in a 1950s car! The large, thin rimmed, wood and metal steering wheel offers the necessary leverage for the unassisted steering system, and the centre Mercedes-Benz emblem has a dual function. Pull it out and it activates the hooter, while a twist to the left or right operates the indicators. The system is not self-cancelling though, so bikers will feel right at home! 

Your view over the bonnet is possibly the most unobstructed you’ll experience in a Mercedes-Benz. You almost don’t pay attention to the small Perspex screens, as they quietly fulfil their purpose of directing the wind over your head. The shift action of the four-speed gearbox is the same as in any other 190SL; it feels very mechanical, and you must operate it with careful precision. As the car is so light and changes direction with minimal effort, the steering wheel suddenly feels slightly oversized, but its design is unbeatable in this open topped, classic Mercedes-Benz. There is also very little play in the steering system, so the moment you move away from the dead centre position the car reacts, a characteristic you rarely find with vehicles of such vintage. 

With a few miles under my belt, I slowly start to explore the upper echelons of the rev range. Although the 190SL was never known for having a high-revving engine, the improvements to this motor, and the upgraded exhaust system, provide another level of performance and aural drama. Press the throttle and the little engine responds eagerly – this lighter SL seemingly happier when driven hard, unlike the standard car. 

Although I refrain from pushing the car too enthusiastically through the corners on our route, I can sense improved handling – possibly beyond that of even a 300SL Roadster. I try to imagine how a race would have panned out between a 190SL Racing and another car from one of Mercedes-Benz’s local neighbours, a Porsche 356 Speedster. 

The words ‘replica’ and ‘tribute’ usually have negative connotations attached to them, but this Mercedes-Benz is an exception to the rule. Beautiful and positively unique, its owner should be proud of what he has achieved with this once down-and-out classic. 

Specifications:
Mercedes-Benz 190SL (W121)

Engine: M121 1,9-litre cc, in-line four cylinder

Power: >78 kW @5,700rpm

Torque: >155 Nm @3,200rpm 

Transmission: 4-speed manual, RWD

Weight: 940 kg

0-100 km/h: < 14,5 seconds

Top speed: >170 km/h

Years produced: 1955 – 1963 (Standard 190SL)