A rusty and neglected Mercedes-Benz 190SL was recently discovered in a garage in the West Midlands county of England. The car had been locked away for over 30 years and was sold at auction shortly after being removed from the garage.
The car was untouched since the 1980s and the previous owner had no intention of restoring it. In fact, the owner was unaware of the value of the car, which had succumbed to rust and damage to the interior. The Mercedes-Benz 190SL had only traveled 30,000 miles (48,000 km) before being locked away.
Despite its poor condition, the car caught the attention of many car collectors. A buyer eventually paid £60,000 ($82,000) for the car, equivalent to the cost of a new Mercedes-Benz E-Class with a V6 engine, leather seats, self-parking technology, and keyless entry.
Once restored, the Mercedes-Benz 190SL could be worth up to $12 million. The highest price ever paid for a Mercedes-Benz 190SL at an auction was $12 million. Mark Bryan from the auction house H&H Classics, who found the car, said, “It’s an amazing car. I never thought I’d find a 190SL as original as this.”
At first glance, the car appeared to be a pile of rusty scrap metal, with its radiator grille missing. However, upon realizing it was a Mercedes-Benz 190SL, Bryan was thrilled. “When we got it outside and washed it off, I could see the potential for a really exciting restoration project,” he added.
The Mercedes-Benz 190 was first introduced in 1955 as a more affordable option to the 300 SL. Despite being cheaper, the 190 still featured the same sleek design as the 300 SL.
The car was equipped with an engine that produced a maximum output of 120 horsepower, allowing it to reach a top speed of 174 km/h.
In summary, the neglected Mercedes-Benz 190SL was discovered after 30 years in a garage in the UK. Despite being rusted and damaged, the car caught the attention of many car collectors and was sold at auction for £60,000. Once restored, the car could be worth up to $12 million.