Overall rating:

Originally conceived as a little brother for the iconic 300 SL 'Gullwing' coupé, the 190 SL offered wind in the hair motoring and elegant lines to the (well-heeled) masses. Criticised for sharing too many parts with its saloon car brethren, the advancing years have been kind to the sports car, and driving a 190 SL now is an experience not to be missed.

Key Facts

Model tested: 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
Pricing: £5,129 (new), £50,000 to £75,000 (value in 2012)
Engine: 1.9-litre, four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: four speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Body style: two-door convertible
Rivals: BMW 507, Jaguar XK 140, Porsche 356
Top speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 14.5 seconds
Power: 105hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 155Nm at 3,800rpm

In the Metal:

Pretty, elegant, delicate, subtle and neat. Any of these words could be used to describe the 190 SL, a design that shares much with the slightly brasher but equally alluring 300 SL from the same era. Period detailing abounds, from the white-walled rubber with chrome hubcaps to the slender bumper irons, and the round headlights lead into pronounced wings that just aren't seen on modern motors. Roof up or down it's an eye-catching machine, though there's no doubt the fluid bodywork looks its best during al fresco motoring.

It's only when we set off that I notice this car's lack of seatbelts, a sensation that remains a strange one for the whole journey - especially when in the passenger seat without the offset thin-rimmed wheel to hold onto. No matter, as sitting low to the floor, legs stretched out ahead there's plenty of intricate detailing to take my mind off the lack of safety features. The gloss black fascia (matching the exterior) houses an intricate set of instruments and a timeless Becker radio, though at speed I'd doubt you'd be able to hear much from it. Visibility isn't great, the rear view mirror on top of the dash obscuring the offside front wing, and there's no wing mirror on that side either. Otherwise the view across the curvaceous bonnet is a bit of a highlight, and every faultless operation of controls, switches or levers a reminder of just how well-built these machines really were.

Driving it:

Even in period the 190 SL was never considered a fast car. Its 1.9-litre four-cylinder petrol engine barely pumped out 105hp, and at the time the benchmark sprint was actually measured from 0-50mph. So the 14.5-second 0-62mph time is just as unimpressive as the top speed of 106mph - even if the speedometer reads to 168mph.

And right from the off you realise that attempting to match such performance claims, especially the top speed, would be rather foolhardy. The clutch is particularly tricky, a heavily sprung and strangely orientated pedal greatly mismatched to the light and overly-sharp throttle. Without assistance for the steering the helm is incredibly heavy at low speeds too, admittedly helped by the rim's large diameter, and once at speed there's some noticeable play before anything happens to the front wheels.

Still, the gearbox is a bit of a joy (which isn't something that can be claimed by current Mercedes manuals), the slender gearlever requiring an equally delicate touch. It glides smoothly through the four forward cogs, the synchromesh taking care of any meshing for the driver. You need to be smooth with the controls, any sharp steering inputs resulting in some serious body roll and a worried looking passenger, sharply reminded that there's no seatbelt to hold them in. But once you've slowed yourself down and got everything mastered, the 190 SL really comes into its own.

There's a natural cruising speed of around 65mph in this car, which is plenty for when the roof is lowered and the wind is in your hair. The smooth 1.9-litre engine is free from any nasty vibration and the wheel requires little more than a vintage movie style swaying to keep the car in a straight line. The supple suspension and tall tyre profile help soak up any of the bumps to be found on our modern roads, and it's clear that this is a cruiser best enjoyed at a slower pace of life.

Which is a feeling reinforced the first time you dab the brakes, their lack of bite and outright effectiveness reminding you just what a luxury servo-assistance really is. But this direct connection to the mechanicals offers an experience like no modern motor, with a sharp throttle response that even the best ECUs can't replicate. And that's kind of the point, as there's plenty of joy to be had from behind the wheel of this classic, you just have to be travelling a slightly slower pace to really find it.

What you get for your Money:

When it was new the 190 SL wasn't a cheap option - its £5,129 was more than enough to purchase a considerably sized house. Contemporary detractors complained that it shared too many of its parts with Mercedes saloons, but that didn't stop it flying off the shelves - the firm built over 25,000 examples during its eight-year lifespan.

Of course there isn't much in the way of creature comforts, a rudimentary heater and leather seats about the only items worthy of note. You could specify the car with a removable hard top though. Try and buy a 190 SL these days, however, and you'll need a much larger bank balance, as even average examples regularly sell for over £50,000.

Summary

This car was never about speed, agility or an ability to stop even when it was brand new, and that's a fact that hasn't changed almost 55 years later. However, like most vintage products its appeal has got stronger with time. The once lacklustre engine feels wonderfully responsive to inputs, the handling delicately precise and the looks beautifully elegant against the modern cars littering our road. As a feel-good experience, piloting a 190 SL is like no other we've ever had.