- Mercedes-Benz 190SL
-
Mercedes-Benz 190SL 
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz Production 1955-1963
25,881 built[1]Assembly Stuttgart Untertürkheim, Germany Predecessor none Successor Mercedes-Benz W113 (230SL) Class grand tourer Body style 2 door coupé, roadster (comes with removable hardtop) Layout FR layout Platform Mercedes-Benz W121 Engine 1897 cc M121 I4 SOHC Transmission 4-speed manual, fully synchronized Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in) Length 4,290 mm (168.9 in) Width 1,740 mm (68.5 in) Height 1,320 mm (52.0 in) Curb weight 2,552 lb (1,158 kg) Related Mercedes-Benz W198 (300SL)
Mercedes-Benz W120/121- See Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for a complete overview of all SL-Class models.
The Mercedes-Benz 190SL is a two door grand touring convertible with a removable hardtop that was produced by Mercedes-Benz between May 1955 and February 1963. A prototype was first shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show.
The 190SL was sold alongside the faster, more expensive Mercedes-Benz 300SL, which it closely resembled both in its styling, engineering, detailing and fully independent suspension, both cars having double wishbone suspensions at the front and swing axles at the rear. However, the 190SL did not use the 300SL's purpose-built tubular spaceframe W198 platform, but was built on a shortened and rust-prone monocoque R121 platform that modified from the W121 small saloon.[2]
The 190SL was powered by a new, slightly oversquare 1.9 L straight-four SOHC engine (Type M121 BII), that developed 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) (or 120 gross hp) that earned itself a reputation for not running that smoothly[3] mostly due to the difficulty in properly synchronising the twin-choke dual Solex carburetors, and that, in detuned form, was later also used in the W120 180 and W121 190 models. The four cylinder engine block of the 190SL was based on the six cylinder engine of the 300 SL.[4] The 85 mm bore was transferred unchanged from the larger engine to the smaller, although the stroke for the 190 SL was reduced from 88.0 mm to 83.6 mm.[4] The car was available either as a soft-top convertible (initially priced at DM 16,500/US$ 3,998[5]) or with removable hardtop (DM 17,650/$ 4,295). Optional was a third-passenger transverse seat that could even fit an adult. During its first years the 190SL was available as a sports-racing model with small perspex windscreen and spartan one-piece leather covered bucket seats and aluminum doors, although any competition aspirations were modest. In 1959, the hardtop's rear window was enlarged.
Both the 190SL and the 300SL were replaced by the Mercedes-Benz 230SL in 1963.
1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster with hard top.
Technical data
Technical data Mercedes-Benz 190SL [1] (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)Mercedes-Benz 190SL Produced: 1955–1963 Engine: 4-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted Bore x Stroke: 85 mm x 83.6 mm Displacement: 1897 cc Max. Power @ rpm: 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) @ 5700 Max. Torque @ rpm: 142 N·m (105 lb·ft) @ 3200 Compression Ratio: 8.5: 1, from 09/59 8.8:1 Fuel feed: twin two barrel sidedraft carburetters - Solex 44PHH Fuel tank capacity: 65 L (17.2 US gal; 14.3 imp gal) Valvetrain: SOHC, duplex chain Cooling: Water Gearbox: 4-speed manual, lever between seats
rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.90:1Electrical system: 12 volt Front suspension: Double wishbones, coil springs, stabilising bar Rear suspension:: Swing axle, coil springs Brakes: Drum brakes (Ø 230 mm), power assisted Steering: Recirculating ball steering Body structure: Sheet steel, unibody construction Dry weight: 1,160 kg (2,600 lb) (Hardtop: + 20 kg (44 lb)) Loaded weight: 1,400 kg (3,100 lb), from 1961 1,440 kg (3,200 lb) Track front/
rear:1,430 mm (56.3 in) 1,475 mm (58.1 in) Wheelbase: 2,400 mm (94.5 in) Length: 4,290 mm (168.9 in) Width: 1,740 mm (68.5 in) Height: 1,320 mm (52.0 in) Tyre/Tire sizes: 6.40-13 Sport Top speed: 171 km/h (106 mph) Fuel Consumption (estimate): 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres (22.6 mpg-imp; 18.8 mpg-US) See also
References
- ^ a b Oswald, Werner (2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5.
- ^ "RitzSite Mercedes-Benz 190 SL 1955-1963; page 2". Ritzsite.net. http://www.ritzsite.net/190SL/02_190SL.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
- ^ Oswald, op. cit., p. 31
- ^ a b Smith, Maurice A., ed (28 October 1966). "Used cars on test:1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Coupé". Autocar. 125 (3689): pages 944–945.
- ^ US prices: Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002. Krause Publication, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8, p. 528.
« previous — Mercedes-Benz road car timeline, 1946–1970s — next » Class Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4-cylinder Sedan W136 / W191 W120 / W121 W110 W115 W123 Roadster R121 6-cylinder Sedan W187 W105 / W180 / W128 W111 W114 W123 Coupé W187 W180 / W128 W111 C107 Large car Sedan W111 W108 / W109 W116 Coupe W188 W112 Limousine W186 / W189 W100 (600) Sports Roadster W198 W113 R107 Coupé W196S Categories:- Rear wheel drive vehicles
- Sports cars
- Roadsters
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
