Collector Car Auction Snapshot – 1959 Mercedes Benz 190SL – Sold for $115,500 at Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale – August 2013

During the Pebble Beach Car Week I visited Bonhams Auctions Quail Lodge sale and watched this 1959 Mercedes Benz 190SL cross the auction block. Analysis and additional photos below.

Friday, August 16, 2013 – Lot 183 – 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL – Sold for $115,500 – Silver w/ green leather. Original engine and transmission. Very clean engine bay, correct hose clamps throughout, still fitted with its Solex carburetors. Correct Becker Mexico, optional glovebox clock. Complete cosmetic restoration with full mechanical overhaul. Coco mats over incorrect, but common, carpet, rear jump seat. This car was originally delivered in black with a contrasting light ivory hard top. Color changed at this point and no mention of an included hard top by the auction company. The silver / green combination looked quite good on this car, condition overall was excellent, paint looked good, interior was excellent. Odometer show about 37,000 miles, but no claims of actual mileage were made. I wasn’t able to inspect any restoration receipts or documentation regarding the work done, but if it checks out and if it runs as good as it looks I would say this is a market correct result for a very nice example. Again, you probably couldn’t find a good donor car and have it restored to this level for the same money. I dare say we’ll all look back in a couple of years and think this was an astute buy.