The Mercedes 190SL (known internally as W121) was structurally similar to the 180 sedan — albeit shortened by some 10 inches (254 mm) — but had a number of important differences. First, the W121 had a new 1,897 cc (116 cu. in.) four-cylinder engine known as the M121. Based loosely on the M186 six from the 300SL and Type 300 sedans, the M121 had an aluminum head, iron block, a chain-driven overhead cam and twin Solex 44 PHH carburetors, making 105 PS DIN (77 kW, 120 hp SAE gross), twice the output of the 180′s old flathead engine. The W121 also featured the new Eingelenkpendelachse (“single-pivot”) rear suspension shared with the six-cylinder W180 models and the 300SL roadster, which reduced the earlier swing-axle setup’s propensity for abrupt trailing-throttle oversteer.
The styling of the sports car, designed by Walter Häcker’s team under the supervision of chief stylist Karl Wilfert, was directly inspired by Friedrich Geiger’s design for the 300SL. Scaling down its styling cues to the smaller dimensions of the 190SL gave the latter a faintly cartoonish quality. It was unarguably pretty, but more cute than sexy.
Here are the before pictures as we are starting a full interior restoration.
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