1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster

Hello Everyone. nbsp;
Up for auction is a very rare Strawberry Red 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster. This 190SL is fully numbers matching and is a true 543 Strawberry Red.  

Let me start out by letting you know that  I am a classic car broker that is representing the vehicle for a client.

Here is a brief history on the vehicle:
This vehicle was sold new at the Philadelphia area Mercedes-Benz dealer on July 7. 1958 to Mr. Benedict J. Cosenzo of Downingtown. Pa.  
Mr. Cosenzo garage kept the car in the Philadelphia suburbs as a secondary luxury vehicle for just shy of 32 years. On May 5. 1990. this 190SL found a new home just 7 miles away in the private collection of Mr. Edward F. Sheller of West Chester. Pa. Mr. Sheller cherished this vehicle and had a full restoration done from 1992 to 1994 at a well known European Specialist shop in Wayne. Pa. Sheller went on to show the car at many car shows. drive the car on countless tours. and enjoy the car as he grew old. Mr. Sheller passed away in 2008 and the car sat in storage until his son sold to the car to the present owner in July of 2009. The present owner and his family have thoroughly enjoyed this car. taking it to car shows. going on cruises. participating in parades. and just all around loving the car.  
Now it is time for this vehicle to move on to a new home again. This vehicle has been meticulously taken care of since day one. I have a binder that was provided by the present owner that documents every single service of this car from the 1970's to the present day. I have been a broker for quite sometime and this is one of the most documented vehicles service wise that I have ever dealt with.  
The car is an excellent driver. A few years ago. the present owner had the temperamental Solex carbs replaced with much better running Weber side drafts. The car is a blast to drive and having driven 190's with the Solex's. these Weber's were a welcomed upgrade. The car runs smooth as glass and drives like a new car. The original Solex's and all related parts are included with the car.

What the car needs:

The car does need some work and I want to make that very clear. that is the reason the pricing is so low. The largest issue with this vehicle is the paint. The paint is a very decent 10ft paint job. its when you get up close that you begin to see the cracking in the basecoat. The strangest part of all this is that the clear is still super smooth and the cracking cannot be felt. The entire car will have to be painted to make it perfect.  

The chrome work on the car is in decent shape. The bumpers are in good shape. the trim work is clean. but the chrome around the windows and the door handles could use a rechrome as they are starting to pit.  

The interior appears to be a very original interior. As far as the paperwork shows. it looks like the leather is the original 1957 leather. The rug in the vehicle will have to be replaced as well as it is worn from driving. The gauges are still very clear and all of them work well. The radio is in good working order and the speaker sounds clear as well.  The steering wheel and shift knob have little stress cracks in it as all the original steering wheels and knobs do.  

All of the worn parts on the car are readily available with NOS replacements online.
With all of the issues I have stated above. I have had 3 independent estimates from different Mercedes-Benz certified shops to repaint. rechrome. and replace the worn parts. The highest estimate came in at $25. 00. That being said. the price has been adjusted accordingly. The owner understands that no one is going to pay $200. 00 for a car that needs to be painted.

Given the current market and sales trends for the rare and desirable Strawberry Red. they have been selling very well. The current record for a 190SL is held by a Strawberry Red one just like this for over $200. 00. Other 190SL's in decent shape and rare color combos have been averaging 160-190. 00 in the last few years. The reserve is set at a fair price for the state the car is in.


Please look at all the photos and ask as many questions as you would like. I am the broker representing the vehicle and I will do my best to answer all of your questions.  

SERIOUS BIDDERS ONLY PLEASE.

Also published at eBay.com

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