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in L. 27/02/2004 n. 46) art. 1, comma 1, DCB - Filiale di Bologna

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Techno Classica

Anno 11

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Mercedes 190 SL

Fiat 126

Incomparable City Car

MERCEDES 190 SL

Vittorio Falzoni Gallerani

The final version of the Mercedes Benz 190 SL made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1955; prototypes had been shown at the New York Motor Show a year before in February 1954. The latest model, the 190 SL destined for the market, no longer had the aggressive air intake on the bonnet and had bumpers which were more harmonious and protective: two measures which were suggested by the American importer Hoffman and helped shape the car as we know it today.

It is to Hoffman that we owe the birth of this beautiful sports car which takes position on the Mercedes Benz range just below the exclusive 300 SL: had it not been for his ‘blind’ order of one thousand cars, it is known that the company would not have dared put it into production. However, thanks to Hoffman, the project W121 came to life and development started: not from the expensive tubular frame of its 'elder sister’ but from the monocoque of the new W120 saloon car, better known today as the ‘Ponton’ from the line of the bodywork with integrated mudguards (used for the first time on a Mercedes). The modifications were, however, far reaching, given the necessary strengthening nee-

ded following the removal of the roof and also the higher performance envisaged compared to the old four-cylinder saloon car that had almost half the horse-power.

Changes were made to the brakes, still drum brakes but much larger.

They were better-ventilated thanks to increased finning and equipped with a vacuum servo brake.

Minor changes were made to the suspension that retained the independent four wheels with double wishbone front suspension and a rear axle with oscillating halfshafts. The solution does not give complete satisfaction for sports car driving but it is entirely consistent with an approach to a car not devoted solely to the purpose of

speed but rather to more relaxed cruising with moderate speed.

Great attention was paid to travelling in comfort, developing the idea of isolating the engine from the body by mounting it on a subframe and isolating it through the positioning of rubber elements capable of cancelling out the already limited vibrations produced by the

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under-used engine.

Nevertheless, and strangely in the light of these consideration, Mercedes Benz thought of launching the 190 for racing. This explains the presence at the launch of a version called ‘Sportwagon’ destined for approval in the GT category.

They were unable to obtain this approval and production was stopped after less than a dozen examples. As a matter of curiosity, this ‘rare avis’ is distinguished from the other two versions destined for production by its lighter moving parts, less padding on the seats and its windshield replaced with a sort of ‘aeroscreen’.

One, the so-called ‘roadster’ (Type 121.042) came with only a canvas folding roof and standard leatherette upholstery MB Tex (leather was available on request). Whereas the coupe (Type 121.040) came with a fixed hardtop bolted to the body and to the windshield with the sun visors placed internally and with leather upholstery for a more delicate usage. As Mercedes did not want to risk displeasing even one of its discerning customers, curiously the roadster, if requested, could be fitted with a removable hardtop and the coupe, if requested, fitted with a canvas roof for the summer season; Teutonic quirks that today create some confusion.

Quirks that do not finish here because most of the chrome plating – the strips on the ‘whiskers’ of the mudguards and stone guards in front of the rear wheels - that were exclusively created for the Coupe, STANDARD COLOURS RANGE Black DB40 White DB50 Grey/White DB158 Blue/Grey DB166 Graphite Grey DB190 Pearl Green DB213 Light Blue DB334 Dolphin Blue DB380 Bright Red DB534 Ivory DB608 Metallic Silver Grey DB180 Metallic Strawberry Red DB543 SPECIAL COLOURS RANGE Pearl Grey DB125 Beige Grey DB157 Dark Grey DB164 Stone Grey DB169 Cement Grey DB186 Lime Green DB218 Dark Green DB221 Moss Green DB226 Medium Green DB229 Green/Blue DB270 Mercedes Blue DB335 Medium Blue DB350 Light Blue DB356 Brazil Brown DB409 Beige DB412 Light Beige DB441 Tobacco Brown DB423 Medium Brown DB442 Cream DB439 and DB629

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could also be ordered for the Roadster and are now proudly displayed on nearly all of the 190 SL’s in circulation.

Both had good success despite the underlying inadequacies of their engines: a great colt burdened by a load, about 12 tons ready for the road. This has always prevented them from showing off their power (105 CV) and the image that the car calls for. Named Type 121.921, coming from a new Daimler Benz project for a four-cylinder overhead camshaft, it has the same bore (85mm) as the six-cylinder mounted in the 300 SL and is fuelled by two Solex carburettors that certainly do not contribute to improving its performance.

So much so that in some markets (including the Italian market) many owners, then like today, did not hesitate to replace them with a Weber carburettor, capable of giving a better engine response to the accelerator and simplifying maintenance and tuning. The smooth drive that was awaiting the purchaser of such a prestigious and desirable car was, in our opinion, even better than the less graceful 300 SL, which, however, remained wishful thinking. The question why the 190 had not, at some point in its life, ever been given the six-cylinder engine mounted in the ‘Pagoda’ is one of the recurring unsolved mysteries in the history of the automobile.

The elegance, however, whether it be of the car or those who travel in it, remains almost unapproachable; an immense talent, let’s be cleMedium Red DB516 Red DB519 and DB 538 Ivory DB620 Yellow DB630 Metallic Light Green DB274 Metallic Blue DB353 The interior (in MB Tex on the Roadster, leather by request, and only in leather on the Coupe) can be in the following colours: MB Tex: Cream L2 Green L3 Blue L3 Black 953 Grey 955 Red 1074 Bright Red 1088 LEATHER: Black 953 Grey 955 Pearl Grey 1089 Cream 1060 Natural 1068 Green 1078 Dark Green 1073 Red 641 and 1079 Bright Red 1088 Blue 354 and 979

TECHNICAL FEATURES Engine Type 121.921 (M121), from August 1961 121.928 (M121 B IX) Four cylinders in-line Bore 85 mm Stroke 83.6 mm Displacement 1.897 Compression ratio 8.8:1 Maximum power 105hp at 5,700 rpm Maximum torque 14.5 kgm at 3,200 rpm Distribution single overhead camshaft with chain drive Power to two carburettors Solex 44 PHH Forced lubrication, wet sump Sump oil capacity 4.5 l Water cooling, forced circulation Circuit capacity 10 l Electrical system 12 V Dynamo 160 W Battery 56 Ah Transmission Rear wheel drive Single dry clutch, mechanically controlled Four speed manual gear ratios I : 3.52:1; II : 2.32:1; III : 1.52:1; IV : 1: ; RM : 3.29:1 Axle ratio 3.9:1 Tyres 6.40 x 13 Steel rims 5J x 13 Versione ante luglio 1957 con luci targa ai lati.

ar, that today creates some problems during restoration. There are too many examples found today with extremely attractive colour combinations which were simply not available at the time Not wishing to tire our readers with a long list of the many updates that the car received during its seven years in production, we have put together some of the more defining moments:

opening controls and their safety locks on the panels are separated.

• July 1957: the number plate lights are removed from the side and repositioned on the bumper bolts.

• March 1958: the Perspex sun visors are replaced with padded ones as found in the Coupe.

• October 1959: hardtop with enlarged rear window designed

by Paul Braq.

Vano motore rifinito in maniera corretta.

• December 1955: chrome decorations on the ‘whiskers’ of the mudguards, standard on the Coupe and optional on the Roadster.

• March 1956: lock on the glove compartment.

• May 1956: hand-wound clock on the glove compartment.

• June 1956: larger tail lights taken from the 220.

• February 1957: the door

Car body Self bearing body with front sub frame Open bodywork or with bolted hardtop, two doors Independent front suspension, harnesses, coil springs, anti-roll bar Independent rear suspension, swing axle shafts, longitudinal struts, coil springs Hydraulic drum brakes, brake servo Steering recirculating ball Fuel tank capacity 65 l Dimensions and weight Step 2,400 mm Front wheel track 1,440mm Rear wheel track 1,480 mm Length 4,290 mm Width 1,760 mm Height 1,280 mm Dry weight 1,100 kg (1,120 kg the Coupé) Performance Maximum speed 173 km/h Average fuel consumption 10.9 l/100 km Acceleration 0-100km/h 12.7 sec Acceleration 0-1.000 m 34.5 sec Recovery 80 – 120 km/h in fourth 15 sec.

Corretto pavimento anteriore in gomma.

• August 1960: the handle of the luggage compartment changes shape and is separated from the lock.

• January 1961: the chrome air conditioning levers are changed to black plastic.

• August 1961: the engine changes from type 121.921 to type 121.928 (M 121 B IX) in search of greater quietness and reliability.

The Mercedes Benz 190 SL assembly line stopped before the Christmas holidays of 1962 after 25,881 cars were built. The manic testing and finishing operations, which

followed, meant that the last cars were delivered in the spring of 1963, when its worthy successor, the legendary ‘Pagoda’ was already on the launch pad. 

INDICATIONS Following on are some general guidelines for restoration. It is recommended that you consult the Mercedes Benz 'Data Card': a document that gives you all the details on the original configuration; in case you wish to change the colours without compromising the possibility of an ASI certification, it is advisable to investigate the internal / external combinations used during that period.

The floor, including the tunnel is covered in grey rubber in the front and loop pile carpet in the back, in shades matching the colour of the seats.

The engine and luggage compartments (including the bonnet interior) are in Satin Black.

The wheel rims including the star background on the hub covers are in the body colour; in case of two-colours (on the Coupe, of course) they are then in the same colour as the roof.

The standard soft top is black 720; it was also possible to request it in dark green 732, green 721, brown 737, cream 725, hazelnut 728, medium blue 723, light grey 727 or 736, beige 730.

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