
Es un automóvil deportivo fabricado a partir de 1955 a iniciativa de Maximillian Hoffman para incrementar y dinamizar el mercado americano. Fue vendido como un desarrollo de gama más baja del mítico 300SL en sus versiones Roadster y Gullwing por la fama obtenida al ganar la mítica carrera Panamericana, destinado a un público menos exclusivo. No utiliza la plataforma de 300SL sino la del W 180 siendo por tanto la versión Roadster del modelo pontón. Fue presentado en el Salón de Ginebra en 1955. Existían ciertos kits para darle un aire algo más deportivo para aquellos 190SLR destinados a la competición.
This is a sports car manufactured beginning in 1955, at the initiative of Maximillian Hoffman to increase and boost the American market. It was sold as a development of the lowest class of the mythical 300SL in its Roadster and Gullwing versions, from the fame earned having won the mythical Pan-American race, oriented toward a less market. It does not use the 300SL platform, but rather the W 180’s, and is therefore the Ponton model Roadster. It was presented at the Geneva Show in 1955. There were certain kits to give a sportier air to the 190SLRs being used for competition.
Combustion principle | four-stroke Otto |
Configuration | front, longitudinal; vertical |
Engine type | M 121 B II / 121.921, from 08.1961: M 121 B XI / 121.928 |
Number of cylinders / arrangement | 4 / in line |
Bore x Stroke | 85 x 83.6 mm |
Total displacement | 1897 cc (tax classification: 1882 cc) |
Compression ratio | 8.5; from 09.1959: 8.8 |
Rated output | 105 hp at 5700 rpm |
Rated torque | 14.5 mkg at 3200 rpm |
Number of valves / arrangement | 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead |
Valve operation | 1 overhead camshaft |
Camshaft drive | double roller chain |
Fuel systemc | 2 Solex 44 PHH compound downdraught carburettors |
Fuel tank: position / capacity | in the rear / 65 lv |
Frame design | floor assembly / steel unit body |
Front-wheel suspension | double wishbone |
Front springs | coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser |
Rear springs | coil springs |
Shock absorber front/rear | telescopic shock absorbers |
Steering | recirculating-ball steering |
Brake system (foot brake) | hydraulic, from 05.1956 with vacuum booster, acting on front- and rear wheels; four-wheel drum brakes |
Parking brake (hand brake) | mechanical, acting on rear wheels |
Wheels | sheet-steel disc wheels |
Wheel rims | drop-centre rim 5 K x 13 |
Tires | 6.40-13 sport |
Driven wheels | rear wheels |
Drivetrain | divided cardan shaft |
Gearing | 4-speed manual transmission |
Availibility | as standard (1st version) |
Shifting | central floor gear shift lever |
Clutch | dry single-disc clutch |
Transmission type | change-speed gear |
Gear ratios | I. 3.40; II. 2.0; III. 1.29; IV. 1.0; R. 3.29 |
Final drive ratio | 3.70; 3.89 or 3.90 |
Maximum speed | 170 - 180 km/h |
Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 14.5 s |
Comments | acceleration by shifting through from 0 - 100 km/h (2 occupants) |
Fuel consumption | 8.6 l |
by Guideline | DIN 70030: consumption, determined at 3/4 of top-speed (not more than 110 km/h), plus 10 % |
Wheelbase | 2400 mm |
Front / rear track | 1430 / 1475 mm |
Length | 4290 mm |
Width | 1740 mm |
Height | 1320 mm (with cabriolet top closed) |
Kerb weight | 1140 kg; from 1960: 1160 kg |
by Guideline | DIN 70020 (ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit) |
Gross weight | 1400 kg; from 1960: 1440 kg |
Units produced | 25,881 roadsters and coupes |
Prices | 02.1955: DM 16,500.00 |