Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Automotive Art   |   Photoshop Chops   |   Restomod

W121 B II Restomod

On my way to grammar school, I cycled past a rotten Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W121 B II) twice every day. Back in the 1980’s this was just a cheap old car with rust issues and complex bodywork, often resulting in neglect and decay. The owner had thrown a tarpaulin over the car because the canvas roof was leaky, but eventually the wind blew it off and he never put it back on properly. In the following years the condition worsened, moss grew everywhere and at some day on the way home from shool it was gone, most likely to the scrap yard.

The beautiful shape was firmly anchored in my brain, but as I grew older and drove many different cars I realized that the driving characteristics of this platform wouldn’t be enjoyable for me. However, this could be remedied by chopping off the body and placing it on a custom-built tube frame chassis with independent suspension on both axles. While at it, the ride height and stance could be improved considerably and larger diameter steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps create space for bigger brakes. The lower windshield and hard top ensure better aerodynamics and therefore a higher top speed, even if the original engine would be kept.

Sebastian Motsch   |   instagram @photoshopchops