1959 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Finished in Ferrari Azzurro Metallic with a beautifully contrasting beige leather interior, this 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is a truly exceptional example of one of Mercedes-Benz’s most elegant and desirable classic roadsters. Presented in right-hand drive with a 4-speed manual gearbox and powered by its 1.9-litre petrol engine, this 190 SL offers a wonderfully individual specification, outstanding provenance and a remarkable story behind its restoration. The car was originally commissioned through Joe Macari for a client who wanted to create a very special surprise for his wife. Rather than simply restore the car to a conventional factory colour, the brief was much more personal: to finish the 190 SL in her favourite Ferrari colour, Azzurro Metallic. The result is a beautifully distinctive take on an iconic Mercedes-Benz, pairing timeless 1950s roadster styling with a colour more commonly associated with some of the finest Italian sports cars. The restoration itself was carried out in Germany by the renowned SL specialists, SL Classics. This was a complete ground-up, nut-and-bolt, frame-off restoration, including a full engine restoration, with the process documented on a USB stick supplied within the history file. The restoration alone is understood to have cost £125,000 in 2016, with the client ultimately paying Joe Macari approximately £200,000 for the completed car. Remarkably, despite the scale and quality of the work carried out, the car was never truly used. Following completion, it was enjoyed more as an object of beauty than as a car for regular driving. The owner’s wife admired the car, but did not drive it, and it remained in exceptional restored condition. Joe Macari later resold the car to its most recent private owner, who added it to his collection. Once again, the 190 SL was preserved rather than driven, which is reflected in the condition it remains in today. Showing just 66 miles, the car still presents in as-new restored condition throughout. From the quality of the Ferrari Azzurro Metallic paintwork to the beige leather cabin and fully restored 1.9-litre engine, this is clearly a car that has been restored with no expense spared. The finish, presentation and history all point to a restoration carried out to an exceptional standard, with the car carefully stored and protected ever since. To replicate a 190 SL of this quality today, beginning with a suitable donor car and carrying out a restoration to this level, would now be expected to cost well in excess of £300,000. A rare opportunity to acquire a right-hand drive, manual Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with a highly individual specification, documented restoration history and a wonderful story. Elegant, distinctive and beautifully preserved, this is a very special example of one of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic classic roadsters.