The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is a car that holds a special place in automotive history. It was designed to be more accessible than its counterpart, the iconic 300 SL, while still embodying luxury and performance. However, not every example of this model has had a beautiful life.

One such example is a white 190 SL, which happens to be the eighth car assembled since production began in 1955. Although it is one of the earliest 190 SLs still intact today, its condition is not great.

The WD Detailing team decided to see what they could do with this car without doing a full restoration. They started by vacuuming every inch where dust and debris had accumulated. Once the dirt was removed, they found that there wasn’t much rust and the car had been resprayed in different colors in the past.

Next, the car’s exterior was pressure washed and the engine bay was cleaned. Although the condition of the engine is unknown, it is said that only a few mechanics in the United States can fix them. The entire car was then covered in snow foam for further exterior washing. The panels were clayed and polished to restore the paint.

The 190 SL was officially unveiled at the New York Auto Show in 1954 and immediately made an impact. Its elegant design, with distinctive “eyebrow” wheel arches, was well-received. Underneath its beautiful exterior, the 190 SL featured a robust 1.9-liter inline-four engine. One of the most notable things about this model was its affordability compared to its more exclusive sibling, the 300 SL “Gullwing.” While the 300 SL was designed for motorsport excellence, the 190 SL was meant for open-top cruising and touring, making it accessible to a wider range of enthusiasts.