Sometimes, the most captivating automotive stories begin not in a showroom, but shrouded in dust and neglect. This is the tale of a Mercedes-Benz 190sl, discovered as a true barn find and reborn into a stunning, modified classic. This particular 190SL is not a product of factory customization, but a testament to vision and dedication, transforming a forgotten relic into a head-turning barchetta cruiser. It proves that even after years of collecting dust and rodent residents, a classic car can not only be revived but elevated to a new level of desirability.
The journey of this remarkable benz 190sl began with a simple neighborhood walk. Michael Potiker, the car’s rescuer, recounts, “I was going for a walk with my father in our neighborhood and I noticed there was a garage door open on a derelict-looking house down the road.” Intrigue sparked by a glimpse of chrome beneath a car cover led him to investigate further. “There was a car under a cover, with a little sliver of chrome showing. Everything else was covered in dust and dirt. It was right by the ocean, and it had deposited clay and dirt from the cliffs for who knows how long.” The elements had taken their toll, but the silhouette hinted at something special. “It looked interesting. Clearly someone knew that it was valuable, as it had a custom fit cover, but it looked like they’d forgotten about it long ago.” Driven by curiosity, Potiker returned the next day, knocking on the door and stepping into the initial phase of acquiring this forgotten Mercedes-Benz gem.
His initial interaction with the house’s occupant, a nurse, was cautious. Upon asking to uncover the car, he was granted permission to reveal only the front. “I lifted the cover, and I saw the big Mercedes Tri-Star and was like, “Whoa!” At that point, I thought it was a 300.” The iconic Mercedes-Benz star immediately signaled the car’s pedigree. Mistaking it initially for the higher-end 300SL, Potiker played it cool. “I turned and looked at the nurse and said, “Wow! This must be some old Mercedes or something. I don’t know much about these old cars”. Then, very quickly, put the cover down and walked away.” This understated approach was strategic.
Driven by his discovery, Potiker pursued the acquisition discreetly and persistently. “I immediately tracked down the house phone number from his neighbor, and I called the house the next day.” He navigated a sensitive situation, learning the owner was in palliative care and unable to communicate directly. “I asked to speak with the owner of the car, and she told me that he was actually in palliative care and quite literally couldn’t speak.” Undeterred, he respectfully persevered, “I very graciously kept prodding, and was eventually put in touch with the trustee of his estate and his attorney, who allowed me to negotiate the purchase of what by this point I realized was a 190SL.” Through fortunate timing and respectful negotiation, Potiker secured the benz 190sl, overcoming potential competition. “Apparently, this raised a few flags with others in the estate who had been interested in the car, but by total luck I was able to secure it.”
The true state of the barn find Mercedes-Benz 190SL was revealed upon closer inspection. Years of neglect had taken their toll. “It had been sitting for probably 8 to 10 years. The hard top was on, but the windows were open under the cover. There were a ton of rodents that had been living in it. There were droppings everywhere.” Beyond the superficial grime, there were signs of more profound issues. “Apparently, a dog had been living in the car at some point, according to the nurse.” The interior was not just dirty; it was a biohazard.
Undeterred by the daunting task, Potiker began the cleanup, quickly realizing the extent of the interior’s decay. “It was completely disgusting. I wore a Tyvek painting suit with booties and a hood and started vacuuming. Then, I realized I was just going to use a razor blade and cut the entire inside of the car out.” A complete interior strip was deemed necessary. “I cut out the carpet, and then there were these tiles with duct tape and nails in the floor.” These were not factory features. “They definitely weren’t meant to be there, and I was trying to get to the floor to see how bad the rust really was.” Further investigation revealed a hazardous and baffling addition. “I put a screwdriver against the tile, and I hit the screwdriver with a hammer, and orange dust came up and I realized, actually, that it was asbestos tiling, which makes sense, because there were flip flops that were left in the back of the car. Obviously, the guy liked to drive barefoot.”
The presence of asbestos tiles raised questions about the previous owner’s unconventional approach to car care. Potiker humorously speculated, “They’re fireproofing and heat proofing, but they’re absolutely inappropriate to be used on the floor of any car. They guy clearly had had them in his house or something at some point in the ’70s and didn’t like that his feet were getting hot when he was bombing around the beach. He just thought, “Okay, I’ll just tack some asbestos into the floor of the car, and then put the carpet over it.”” This was just one example of the car’s quirky past. “There were a series of repairs like that. There was a woman’s brass bangle that had a hose clamp over it that was holding a hose on. There was ample Bondo on the floor, and even a residential window screen being used.” Despite these bizarre modifications, the underlying structure was sound. “Luckily, the body is all original and the car had never been hit, so we didn’t have to do any bodywork.”
The restoration of the benz 190sl was extensive, starting with addressing the severely corroded floor. “The entire floor of the car had to be cut out. I sent the car to Hjeltness Restorations, which is a ‘Gullwing’ shop. Hjeltness’ metal guy cut the entire floor out of the car, and put a whole new floor in.” Hjeltness Restorations, renowned for their work on Mercedes-Benz Gullwings, provided the expertise needed for this critical repair. Surprisingly, despite its condition, the engine showed signs of life. “Amazingly, actually, after I found it, it started up. We got it home, hooked up a new battery, and put a vertical down off a fuel can and cranked it and it started. It didn’t run well, but it started.” This initial success was a promising sign. “I had Hjeltness rebuild the carbs, but the car is on its original engine. Everything’s numbers matching.” Adding to its unique history, “It was a special export to Japan, because the guy was in the Marines. It has a different plaque in the engine that some of the Japanese cars have.” For Potiker, the benz 190sl became more than just a restoration project; it was a cherished possession. “I’m the second owner and I absolutely love the car. It’s the most fun thing in the world.”
The color palette of this benz 190sl also underwent a thoughtful transformation. “Yeah, it’s Mercedes DB190. It’s a dolphin grey color,” Potiker confirmed about the exterior hue. The original interior was slated to be parchment, but fate intervened with a more vibrant option. “The original interior was parchment, but the shop actually gave me that red interior, and I couldn’t say no. It was in a Concours-quality 190 that was the wrong color inside, and the guy wanted an original car, so I just took his interior and they slapped it in.” This serendipitous swap resulted in a striking red interior that perfectly complements the dolphin grey exterior.
Beyond the restoration, Potiker implemented a series of tasteful modifications, enhancing both the performance and aesthetics of the benz 190sl. When asked about other changes, he detailed a blend of practicality and style. “The wheels actually are space saver spares off of a Volkswagen Rabbit that are drilled out to fit the hub the correct way, and are painted DB190.” These repurposed wheels offer a unique and subtle modification. Lighting was also upgraded with a classic touch. “New-Old-Stock French selective yellow headlights with halogen bulbs. There’s a big lighting relay under the dash to deal with those, and the Cibié 9″ Super Oscars which are rated for daylight brightness at a mile away. They’re really bright.” These lighting enhancements improve visibility and add a distinctive European flair. Leather trunk straps were initially added for aesthetic reasons, “Then I had the leather straps put on the trunk, but then I rebuilt the trunk mechanism anyway, so they’re just aesthetic.”
The most visually striking modification is the transformation into a barchetta. “The little windshield was added, and is an exact replica of the RennSport screen that Mercedes sold customers to use with the 190. The dash is extended two or three inches up, so that the tonneau can nest in a fairing, with room for the push-to-fit connectors.” This windscreen deletion and RennSport screen addition dramatically alters the car’s profile, lending it a sportier, open-air feel.
Performance enhancements were also incorporated, focusing on handling and responsiveness. “It’s on a really aggressive set of coilovers that have their damping set for rally use. I can go over speed bumps or rough roads, and it’s smooth but it still grips very well. There’s also a fairly aggressive sway bar installed that’s sold by the 190 club that they have custom made.” These suspension upgrades improve the driving dynamics significantly. Further mechanical improvements include, “It has a new gear reduction starter and an alternator from the 190 club as well. It has Webers. The cars originally came equipped with Solex carburetors, and with the Webers, you make another 35 or 40 horses. The Webers were put on by the last owner, and I had them fully rebuilt. I re-did the exhaust as it was completely rusted through, now it’s just a straight-through stainless steel setup.” The Weber carburetors and stainless steel exhaust enhance engine performance and sound.
Throughout the modification process, collaboration played a key role. “Eric Hjletness has had great suggestions, and we’re currently building a Weber linkage and planning on installing a set of new racing buckets so the seats have some bolstering.” Potiker valued the input of Eric Hjeltness, ensuring the modifications were both functional and aesthetically coherent. Remarkably, major mechanical overhauls were avoided. “I didn’t rebuilt the transmission or the engine, and I feel incredibly lucky it’s been running as smoothly as it has.” This testament to the original Mercedes-Benz engineering underscores the car’s inherent robustness.
For Michael Potiker, the reward is in the drive. “Yeah, the thing runs after having sat for that long, until it spectacularly kills itself at some point. It’s just a great little car. It’s so fun to drive. You’re everyone’s best friend driving it around.” The resurrected and modified benz 190sl is more than just a showpiece; it’s a joy to experience on the road, drawing admiration and smiles wherever it goes. This benz 190sl barn find story is a compelling example of how a neglected classic, with vision and meticulous work, can be transformed into a unique and cherished automobile, ready for a new chapter on the open road.
