1958 Mercedes 190SL, Original Owner until 2006, Restored, ALL documents/history – SOLD

1958 Mercedes 190SL, Original Owner until 2006, Restored, ALL documents/history – SOLD

Finished in its original, classic Mercedes color scheme of White Grey (DB-158) with red leather interior (1079), this completely restored 190SL is a spectacular example of the breed, and with its original window sticker, all original books, and a complete service history from December of 1958 to present (including all receipts for the thorough restoration performed in the mid-90′s), it’s certainly one the most well-documented cars of this era.

Delivered new to original owner Fred Lapham – via his business, Walker Homes – on December 13, 1958 at Gezon Motor Sales of Grand Rapids, Michigan (then a Studebaker, Packard, and Mercedes-Benz dealership, now a Nissan, VW, and Mitsubishi store), this 1958 Mercedes 190SL was titled as a ’59 as per then-common practice. The price on the included window sticker was/is $6014.30. Also included with the car is the original title and the original Mercedes-Benz “Owner’s Service Policy” warranty paperwork (along with enough other original receipts and records to write a book, or in this case fully fill a 3-ring binder).

In the late 1980′s Mr. Lapham’s son took stewardship of the car, and from 1991-’97 he performed a complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration. This is fully documented with receipts for everything from rubber seals and grommets, and the restoration of the original Becker radio, all the way to engine/trans rebuild and the paint job. Dozens of included photographs further document the process. All the brightwork was re-chromed and/or polished, the interior upholstery, carpets and top replaced, the floorboards repaired (properly), and all the suspension and mechanicals completely rebuilt and refreshed. Everything was gone through and replaced or rebuilt.

Mr. Lapham’s son then enjoyed the fruits of his efforts and expense for approximately 3500 miles until the summer of 2006, when my uncle purchased the Lapham family 190SL; he and my aunt have enjoyed it as a summer toy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin since then, and just recently asked me to help sell it so they can add a new toy(s) to their collection.

Being that I deal almost exclusively in Porsches, it seemed prudent to have someone who’s forgotten more about early SL’s than I’ll ever know about them go through the car and tell me what’s what. So, upon agreeing to help sell this wonderful classic Mercedes, I had the 190- and 300SL experts at Black Forest (www.blackforestllc.com, owner Michael McKinney – 414/228-4899) perform a very thorough and detailed inspection. Black Forest concluded that the car is a very nice driver that has been restored into a solid 190SL that one can be proud to show, drive, and enjoy.

Now that is not to say that as with most restorations, there aren’t a few quirks here, because there are: for whatever reason, when the engine and transmission were rebuilt, the engine block and the transmission case were painted red rather than the correct black; the seats have been recovered in the correct original color, but with vinyl rather than the leather with which the car was originally equipped; and the carburetor linkage was painted black as opposed to being plated as it was new. Also, the fuel filter has been changed to accept a non-Mercedes filter, and the right rear wheel cylinder has a slight leak. All very minor, but nonetheless details about which potential buyers should be informed. The fluids have just been changed and the car just detailed.

In the end, this is a wonderful, fully-restored, uber-documented 190SL that runs as good as it looks, and needs nothing but a new owner.

Please feel free to email peter@memorymotorsports.com or call 262/238-1370 with any questions, specific photo requests, etc.

All vehicles offered by Memory Motorsports, LLC. are being sold as is, where is, with no warranty, expressed, written or implied. Memory Motorsports, LLC. is not responsible for the correct description, authenticity, or defects herein and makes no warranty in connection herewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and have satisfied himself or she as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. Memory Motorsports, LLC. shall make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer’s request prior to the close of sale. Memory Motorsports, LLC. assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.