Mercedes-Benz 190 SL -58 and Ferrari F355 Berlinetta -97. Two exclusive sports cars with four decades between them are the stars at Bilweb Auctions' upcoming online auction.
In terms of performance, there is a whole world between them, the Mercedes' 120 horsepower against the Ferrari's 381, a 1.9-liter four-cylinder against a 3.5-liter V8.
Nonetheless, the ivory-white 190 SL likely attracted a lot of attention in Örnsköldsvik when engineer Kjell Ohlsson drove his roadster home on September 5, 1958, assigned the license plate Y46627. "Things are going well now," probably thought Ohlsson, whose company manufactured hospital beds for the increasingly expanded healthcare in the welfare state. But already in 1962, he felt that the cellulose paint no longer held up and therefore had it repainted in the original color. A young man with a delivery moped was tasked with driving the newly chromed bumpers for installation in the paint shop. His name was Sven-Olov and he became so enamored with the Mercedes that he decided then and there to start saving to one day be able to buy it.
It took 45 years.
By then, engineer Ohlsson had passed away and his son inherited the car in 1985. The young man on the delivery moped was now in his late middle age and had over the years maintained contact with the Ohlsson family about the Mercedes. Finally, he got to buy it. But already in 2011, the car was put into storage, and 10 years later, Sven-Olov passed away - so now the family is selling it via Bilweb Auctions.
This 190 SL is still in wonderful original condition and with very beautiful wear on the interior, which can be tenderly addressed without altering the overall impression. The car's fantastic history, extensive documentation, and the model's beauty make this 190 SL an irresistible collector's item. The mileage of 77,500 kilometers is believed to be correct.
Many also find a Ferrari F355 Berlinetta hard to resist. With a minimalism that is still perceived as flamboyant, it straddles the line between the traditional Ferrari and the more modern. Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful of its generation.
This F355 was delivered by a Ferrari dealer in Frankfurt in the spring of 1997. It came to Sweden in 2016, with a well-stamped service book in the glove compartment and brought in by one of Sweden's foremost motorsport figures: Per-Gunnar "Peggen" Andersson from Falkenberg, multiple Swedish and Nordic champion in standard car racing.
He is also the one now selling the car with the help of Bilweb Auctions. Today, it has driven just over 12,000 kilometers, is in good but used condition, and with clear documentation.
The car received its latest service at AutoCura in Skene in February 2023 at 11,987 kilometers, where among other things, the timing belt and tensioners were replaced. It has a factory-fitted sports exhaust system, with the original included. And of course, it has a manual gearbox, with the delicately thin, chrome gear stick running in a beautiful gate with six forward positions.
This F355 is approaching its 30-year mark, but its performance is far from outdated. 0-100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds and it tops out at around 295 km/h, all accompanied by a sound that is indescribable.
British motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson may not be known for his understated reviews, but nonetheless, he expressed himself this way in 1996 about the Ferrari F355: "The greatest car in the world, ever."
These two iconic cars have an estimated market value of around 1 million SEK each according to Bilweb Auctions. The auction ends on May 16.
