1962 Mercedes 190SL - Black Plate CA Car - Superb Survivor - Matching #s!

190SLs have always been puzzling to buy, articularly for a hobbyist who hasn't spent years studying these cars. Eternally charming, 90SLs have been seducing enthusiasts wishing to capture the romance of stylish Continental touring for years. However, hey're all approaching 60 years old and each car has developed its own personal history regarding owner care, amage history, ust repair history and so on. Because so many of these cars suffered enormous neglect during the many decades where proper restorations were not financially feasible, inding a 190SL whose fundamental structure, heet metal and general fit and finish remain as originally constructed by Mercedes-Benz has become difficult. Extremely difficult.

Yes, here are many attractive "restored" 190SLs whose ads boast of "all new floors" and so on, ut the sophisticated buyer is searching for an example that has had little if any repairs to the original structure. To that buyer and to us, 190SL that retains all its original perimeter platform structure and external coachwork sheetmetal represents the "holy grail" within that series.

Typically, uch a 190SL will have been delivered new to - and lived its life in - a part of the globe with a dry, oderate temperature to avoid the usual rust these cars were/are prone to. Central California would be ideal, ay perhaps Fresno... This is exactly where this 534 fire engine red 1962 model was initially delivered to and spent 98% of its life residing in. Slavich Brothers Mercedes-Benz in Fresno, A sold #023423 to Mr Albert Macht in early 1962.

Mr. Macht used his 190SL fairly regularly from 1962 through the early '70s before it was parked away in the dry central California town. The last receipt from Mr. Macht's ownership reveals 69,912 miles in 1975. When Mr. Macht passed in 2009, he car was sold to an experienced local vintage Mercedes expert who re-commissioned it for regular use. His documented work included:

• Full engine rebuild by Metric Engines in Los Angeles
• Fuel tank removed and sealed
• Fresh radiator
  
• Refurbished brakes including master cylinder, heel cylinders etc.
  
• Fresh clutch and shift bushings, resh starter motor
  
• Fresh paint in the correct 534 Red and new body seals
  
• Stainless steel exhaust
  
• New windshield and much more
  

This owner sold the car in 2014 to an enthusiast in Florida where it has since seen limited use. The 85k miles showing is quite likely correct based on the car's decades of slumber. The black vinyl interior is also quite likely original as is the rear carpet area. The current owner replaced the stained front rubber matting with new materials and completed a few other refinements. The car is "on the button" and starts immediately hot or cold. This SL retains both its original black/yellow California license plates as well as the original selling dealer's license frame! Using the factory supplied data card, he car has been confirmed as a "matching numbers" 190SL. The engine, ransmission, ifferential numbers all match the card. The wheels are correctly date coded. The production number and body number and paint code correspond as well. We see the original front fender spot weld pattern, he original trunk floor, hood stamp and exceptional factory correct panel gaps. It's an amazing 190SL. Options for this SL as per the Data Card included:

• 441 - Bumper guards
  
• 491 - US version
  
• 515 - Becker AM-FM radio
  
• 641 - White sidewall tires
  
• 104 - Black vinyl interior
  
• Soft Top only