One of the legendary convertibles motorsport history will blow 60 candles in 2015. This was presented at the Geneva Motor Show 1955 and made history for his great popularity, with a total of 25,881 units produced between 1955 and 1963. We talked about the Mercedes 190 SL, the ‘little brother’ of the also legendary 300 SL ‘gullwing’.

The story of Mercedes Benz in the 50s it is marked with ‘Bittersweet’ pages. At the time of recovery in Europe after World War II, and more specifically in that decade, Mercedes suffered a terrible sporting event that slopes away from the world, known as Le Mans disaster of 1955. However, on the other side of the coin, they came to light two vehicles that are already part of the golden pages in the history of Mercedes.

The first, Mercedes 300 SL -the famous’ wings gaviota’-, a hard-nosed supercar was born in 1954. Only a year later came a more affordable and modest version, the also legendary Mercedes 190 SL, that precisely turns 60 this 2015. It was presented as a prototype at the Hall of New York in 1954 as the definitive convertible Geneva Motor Show 1955 and began production in May of that year.

East roadster, with soft top, he saw produced a total of 25,881 units in their 8 years of commercial life, which 80 percent ended up across the German border and half of that figure (40 per cent), sold in the United States. The Mercedes 190 SL riding a gasoline engine four cylinder, 1.9 liter 105 HP, a far more modest than the 300 SL, born as coupe and then had mechanical Roadster version.

He used a W120 sedan shortened platform, to give a vehicle designed to provide increased comfort on long journeys, yet More price and, despite not being born with genes sports, yes have some attractive style. Hence the popular in sales, which even today in their buying and selling used cars.

He Mercedes 190 SL also he had a racing version: Had a smaller windshield, aluminum doors without windows, special bumpers, Roadster and a setup for circuits. In the hands of the pilot Douglas Steane (Hong Kong), won victory in the Macau Grand Prix 1956.