1958 sl190

[Nick Gibbs]

A friend of mine is looking to buy the above. I am going with him to look at the car as I own a classic and know a few of the pitfalls of owning a 40 year old car

Can anyone advise if there are any specific problems to look out for on these cars other than the obvious (rust, rust and more rust!) It is a convertible but has a new soft top and is a LHD US import.

Any comments/tips/recommendations would be appreciated. Also, do you think £20k is a reasonable price (assuming it is in the excellent condition it is stated to be).

 

[42864]

190sl

In answer to your question, is 20K a reasonable price ? I would say NO these cars are selling for between £100,000 and £150.000. If this car is being sold for £20.000, either you have got a real bargain or there is something drastically wrong with it.

 

[television]

This car is not the gulwing, and it is those that fetch the high money. there is a few in europe for sale around 55,000 euro's.

malcolm

 

[Bolide]

The value in a car like that is very much in originality & provenance. If it's a US import it may well have been ruthlessly over-restored the other side of the pond

Unless you know enough to state whether the leather / trim / instruments / handles / etc are original or pukka Mercedes replacements I wouldn't venture an opinion. The new soft top is a classic example... is it a proper Mercedes-supplied top? I reckon it won't be!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Nick Gibbs]

Thanks for the replies. It isnt the "gullwing" unfortunately, and I would imagine this is far from a matching numbers specimen. Having said that it is in very good condition, looking at the photos, and my mate is not looking for concourse just a fun reliable classic convertible.

On the basis that this is a "restored" car in good but not A1 condition, I thought £20k was fairly reasonable. Does anyone know how parts supply is on something this age? On my car there are a raft of after-market suppliers and NOS parts but I dont know anything about classic Mercs.

Also, any tips on things specific to old Mercs to watch out for would be a great help.

Thanks for your time and help guys.