1955

In May 1955, the Gullwing – of which almost 500 units had meanwhile been supplied to customers all over the world – was joined by a new family member, the 190 SL. The little brother, its prototype having been displayed alongside the [Tens de ter uma conta e sessão iniciada para poderes visualizar esta imagem]300 SL in New York as early as February 1954, had been revised stylistically and resembled the 300 SL in its appealing design. Its four-cylinder engine with an output of 105 hp was far from generating the Gullwing's outstanding performance but it did permit a respectable top speed of 170 km/h. The small SL was particularly popular with the ladies who appreciated not only the car's sporting, elegant outfit but also the possibility of open-top motoring. The two-seater was equipped with a recessible roadster top and optionally available with a removable hardtop. The 190 SL, of which 25,881 units were produced until 1963, marked the beginning of a unique roadster tradition which has been continued to this day. Since 1996, Mercedes-Benz has been offering the equally successful SLK-Class in the 190 SL market segment, the SLK being one of the most popular cabriolets not just because of its styling and its innovative vario roof.