1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Incredibly Original Example Black/Red Numbers Matching

Offered for sale is a gorgeous, xtremely original, echanically strong and correct 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL, wned for the last 31 years by a doting Southern doctor who always afforded the car the best possible care. Verified by its original data card (included), he car is finished in factory correct Black (DB 040) over red leather, rguably the most appealing livery ever offered on a W121. The car left the factory as a two-tone car with a White (DB 050) hard top and hub caps, nd while we still have the original White hard top, e also happen to have a correct Black “big window” hardtop as well, hich we prefer. The buyer will have their choice of tops to accompany the sale.

Of particular note, he car retains the following:

Entirely Numbers Matching Mechanicals and BodyOriginal Dual Solex Carburetors (Rebuilt in 2004)Solid Completely Original UndercarriageOriginal Factory Spot-Welded Front FendersOriginal Stamped Matching Numbers HoodAll of its Original Books and Manuals (Including Stamped Service Booklet)Largely Complete Original Factory ToolkitExtensive Binder of Service Receipts and Documentation of History Sold new to its first owner by Giorgio Motor Co. in Baltimore, D, he car made its way to Alabama when Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mitchell of Birmingham (the second owners) acquired it in the early 1970s. As “preservation class” vintage cars hadn’t yet been given the credence that they’ve come to enjoy (both in terms of recognition and valuation) the Mitchell’s made the choice to refinish the car in its factory correct black paint at some point during their tenure, hich is the finish the car still wears today.

In February of 1984, he car was sold with 115k miles on the odometer to its third and most recent owner, r. William Lell, lso of Birmingham. Like the Mitchells, r. Lell always kept the car properly serviced and garaged, sing it as a cherished weekend driver – in 31 years of ownership he accrued a mere 7k additional miles. Upon acquiring the car he had the seats reupholstered in correct red leather and a new correct canvas soft top installed, oth at Bud’s Benz in Douglasville, A. Throughout his ownership, he car has consistent maintenance, videnced by a thick stack of service receipts from local marque experts.

It should come as no surprise then that the car is in fantastic shape mechanically. The original, umbers matching engine starts effortlessly, dles smoothly and consistently and pulls strongly through each of the original transmission’s gears. The car drives and brakes straight and true, he suspension is tight and the car is a joy to drive, hether tooling through town, inding through the canyons or bombing down the highway. The car is ideal for both top-down weekend cruises to local shows and more strenuous touring events. It needs nothing to be enjoyed save for an appreciative new owner.

As the pictures show, he finish applied in 1984 has held up quite well and the car remains absolutely gorgeous. While having a number of minor imperfections (each insignificant enough to not appear in the pictures), he factory correct Black finish is deep and lustrous, erfectly offset by the lascivious red interior. The seats themselves appear almost new, he carpets are in good shape and the car retains its immaculate, ncracked original steering wheel and fully functioning Becker radio. The glass and chrome are in excellent original condition and while the car’s soft top shows some limited wear the rear window is clear and it remains entirely serviceable. Perhaps most notably, s the recipient of proper care and storage, he frame and undercarriage are entirely solid and original, howing no evidence of harmful rust or repairs. A condition mirrored in the trunk and engine compartment, t tells the story of a remarkably untouched, xtremely original example that has always lived a charmed life.

As meticulous an owner as you’ll find, r. Lell comprehensively documented his 31 year ownership of the car including the aforementioned thick stack of service receipts, ll of the sales documents from his acquisition of the car, n appraisal from just prior (describing the car as being in “exceptionally good condition”) and a range of technical data for the car. The car is also remarkably complete in terms of original tools, etaining its rare (and expensive to replace) original tool kit, pare tire and changing tools. The car also comes with its original data card, ll of its original books and manuals and even the original packing slip from June of 1961. Finally, s mentioned above, he car will also come with either its original White big window hard top or a correct black big window hardtop as seen in the pictures.

This is a truly uncommon opportunity to acquire an extremely original, ntirely numbers matching and correct, ell documented, xtremely honest and beautifully presented 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL. Considering its condition, rovenance, ocumentation and correctness, t would be incredibly difficult to find a similarly stellar original example. Whether in the market as a marque enthusiast or as a seasoned Mercedes collector, his incredible example deserves your serious consideration.