First open-top production sports car.

190 SL Roadster
(W121).

Première for a new four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.9 litres.

Production vehicles.

190 SL Roadster (W121): Production vehicles.

Production vehicles.

The roadster’s story began with Maximilian E. Hoffman, since 1952 the New York-based official Mercedes-Benz importer for the US market. In 1953 he realised the sales potential for sports cars from Mercedes-Benz in the USA, and then campaigned for two of these vehicles to be built as production vehicles. According to Hoffman’s recommendation, the 300 SL Racing Coupé (series W 194) was to be made available – with modifications – as a production vehicle, and the Stuttgart-based brand was at the same time to produce an open-top sports car to accompany the Gullwing coupé. That is how the 190 SL was born.

Open-top sports car.

190 SL Roadster (W121): Open-top sports car.

Open-top sports car.

At the time Daimler-Benz was fully saturated with design and development tasks – both for production vehicles and also with the preparation for the 1954 racing season, for which the new W 196 R series formula racing car was intended. Due to the enormous workload, the Stuttgart-based company even stalled their planned participation in the 1953 sports car races. The new SLs increased the pressure, but were considered important for Mercedes-Benz’s image and market position.

Attractive, exclusive vehicles.

190 SL Roadster (W121): Attractive, exclusive vehicles.

Attractive, exclusive vehicles.

For the 1950s were a time of great expansion after the Second World War. With sports cars Mercedes-Benz would be able to round off its model range with attractive, exclusive vehicles in a new segment – ever since 1935 decidedly sporty cars had been missing in their portfolio. Thus already in mid-September of 1953 the Board’s decision was taken: the 190 SL and the 300 SL were to be built as series production cars. The pace of development was raised still further. The floor assembly, which came from the Mercedes-Benz 180, had to be adapted to the new ideas and the right engine had to be found.

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