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Films:
Modified Yet Period-Correct, This Mercedes-Benz 190SL Is Displaced In Time
Nice to see a 190 (that, in any other part of the world, would be shinning as if had left the showrom, and as far away as possible from dirt or speed), get this “hot-rod” treatment!
I love how it’s far from perfect – the engine bay, the chromes, the paint, all of it! This guy, reaaly gets it!
And how about those leopard loafers!? Yeah!
As to the music – very well chosen! Especially the one with that drum intro Gene Krupa/Buddy Rich style!
Nice way to kick off my weekend!
Thanks Petrolicious and thanks Michael!
You know, the leopard slippers are great. They really are. I use a slipper like shoe with a round heel, for the rare instances in which I heel and toe my car into a canyon turn. But the cosplay helmet and googles, if I start sporting those around town, do me a favor and push me off Santa Monica Pier.
Lovely car. Interesting to know that there were rennsport lightweight & cutdown doors for the 190SL and the minimal windscreen. I have always admired the entire 190 series, including the sedans and coupes. The 190s seemed to me to be one of the very best that MBZ ever built. The components were modular, in a way that other makes were not, and that made them a joy to service. The 190s were in and out of the New England shops where I worked during the 1970s.
I’m in love with that car, it’s face rules, the dried milk shift knob reminds me of my 62 bug. What a beautiful German machine. The alum overhead cam cover is gorgeous. The videography is artistic, inviting, and flat out genius. Southern California at night in this German time machine looks like heaven. The dude totally gets his machine, and finding it in his grandparents neighborhood on a walk with his dad is so cool. Agree with folks, music is perfect.
Yes indeed, excellent! The music, the story, the aesthetic, it all works for me. Nice job everybody!
My older brother had a 190 the I drove surreptitiously when everyone else was out of town. Stock, it wasn’t that sporty but man was it delicious. All the controls so delicate and refined.
One of the best in a long while…
Michael- you’ve done wonderful things to your car.. congrats..
HOWEVER- now its time to drive it, but not just on the roads of SoCal, but on the TRACKS as well…
The car is perfect for all the historic/vintage race series’. VSCCA. HSR. HRG. SVRA. etc etc…
Like you said- it IS a racecar, so use it accordingly.. and then you’ll have a real reason to wear a helmet 😉
Best and congrats again- Kurt
Gorgeous bit of film work, Wonderful car and cool cat owner. Loved the costume and the having of fun!
The only problem I had was the shoddy state of tune the Webers. Those are very tunable carbs. I know you must be able to find someone in So Cal that still knows how to get them right and have perfect drivability. We did it for our customers.
Although there is some novelty to it only running well on the mains, hence the full throttle aspect, I think you will enjoy the car a LOT more when it has proper throttle response from 0% to 100% throttle because it pull across the RPM range.
It’s worth pursuing and I believe you will discover a completely different driving experience.
All best and keep having fun!
So, he chopped the windscreen??? and added new doors?? Whoa, I would have thought such a Merc would be untouchable in the custom world.
Hey Petrolicious, you do amazing work. A suggestion: Some vids of racing cars with an interesting history? Like, maybe the Calsonic GTR in Japan or similar from around the world.
The quality of this video was one of your best. What an owner! He captures why after a while we come to truly love our cars and the role they play in our lives. Someone introduce this guy to a good detailer though, for an epicly beautiful car, and a solid chap, that paint was in rough shape. Nothing 4 hours, a rotary buffer, some polish, and a high quality wax couldn’t fix though.
Hi Michael, we seem to have the same taste (in cars and other things it seems) I am from Norway. I like the whole look and feel of your 190 SL a lot. Great work! My Insta account is: https://www.instagram.com/benzinacars/
Starting with the tires, and ending with the rubber rat in the engine bay, not exactly “period-correct to a T.” However, there is no denying the owners “passion” for his automobile. Rocking the 50’s driving helmet, gloves, and leopard slippers…in the middle of downtown. You sir, are my American of the day. Thank you.
Ahhh … ya just gotta love a very mild well done tasteful resto mod ! And this is definitely one of them ! Somewhat period correct … but who cares .. its a gem thats obvious being used rather than stuffed away in some garage/collection .
I would take issue with one comment the owner makes though . In reality in So Cal sports car racing a Mercedes such as this would of been much more extensively modified going way beyond any RennSport kit Mercedes would of had on offer . A little more in depth research as well as speaking to those who were there back in the day will confirm what I’m saying . So Cal sports car racing in its heyday [ approximately 1950 – 1965 ] was the epitome of Hot Rod meets Euro Sports car with the resulting mulattos being some of the most creative race cars ever seen on the planet .
And err … the whole thing about love … errr … no insult intended or implied but methinks the owner is confusing obsession … with love . The one having nothing to do with the other
FYI ; The soundtrack … two thumbs up … y’alls gettin a whole lot better at finding the appropriate music to fit the video with only the owners voice letting you down a bit … but what can one d about that . As for the cinematography ? Verging on the sublime .
