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Karl Wilfert

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Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Karl Wilfert · 1955

The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is a two-door luxury roadster produced from May 1955 to February 1963. It was internally designated W121 (BII). It was first shown in prototype at the 1954 New York Auto Show. It was available with an optional removable hardtop. It was a more affordable alternative to the 300 SL. Both cars had double wishbones in front and swing axles at the rear. Instead of the 300 SL's tubular spaceframe, the 190 SL used a shortened unitary floorpan modified from the W121 saloon. It was powered by a Type M121 BII 1.9 L straight-four SOHC engine.