current-magazine

The 190 SL in Australia
by S.strauss
Back in 1961, the median
Australian house price was
$4,000 and a Mercedes-
Benz 190 SL Roadster,
without the hard top, was selling for
$3,334.19.
So the 190 SL was marketed and
sold as an exceptional vehicle and by
way of comparison, the median house
price in Australia today is $600K
plus.
Based on the Mercedes-Benz
export figures, rather than data card
analysis, it appears only 843 right
hand drive190 SLs were produced,
far fewer than the revered 300 SL
Gullwing with 1,400 units.
147 of the 190 SLs were imported
into Australia from the factory over
it’s eight year life, the first arriving
in 1956, a year after it’s first sale to
the USA.
MBCNSW has twenty six 190 SL’s
recorded as members’ cars and there
have been another thirteen “spotted”
around the state over the last few
years.
Thirty nine cars seems an
extraordinary number given their
rarity, but at least five were imported
privately (two LHD conversions
and three from the UK) and another
three cars at least have come from
interstate.
The survival rate for 190 SLs around
the world is thought to exceed 50%.
In Australia this figure is probably
more like 90% due, no doubt, to a
combination of their high perceived
value and relatively good preservation
conditions - our own California effect.
years on, what of today’s
60 owners of 190 SLs?
Well, in the Club we’re a mixed
bunch with ages ranging from 35
to 80+ (and note that one Victorian
coming to the National Rally next
year in her 190 SL is 91!).
For those who have acquired their
cars in more recent times (the last
30 years!), it seems the common
motivation is an appreciation of the
classic beauty of this car.
“So if they’re so beautiful and still
contemporary, where are all the
20-somethings?” you may ask.
This is where money comes into
it and one also wonders about the
“culture” of the Gen Y’s.
Today, the dollars needed to acquire
a 190 SL is a minimum of $100,000
for something complete and running,
up to $150,000 plus for something fit
to drive and enjoy.
Immaculately restored cars in the
US are topping USD 300,000, where
10