Gina Lollobrigida's Mercedes SL in Padua

Gina Lollobrigida's 1956 190 SL: an exceptional model on show at the 2021 AME edition, courtesy of the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Club-Italia.

This model and its unique history will be exhibited in Padua after a complete restoration, which scrupulously respected the original model, following the information contained in the Mercedes-Benz description.

The choreography of the stand will be entirely dedicated to this car and the actress who owned it.

The Mercedes 190 SL really was the car of the stars, trending during the most carefree period of the economic boom.

After the exhibition of two prototypes at the 1954 New York Fair, the first definitive version of the 190 SL Mercedes was showcased at the 25th Geneva Fair in March 1955. This car's creation is down to Maximilian Edwin "Max" Hoffman (American importer of Mercedes), who strongly wanted a roadster model inspired by the 300 SL, but which was more financially accessible.

During the economic boom, a prestigious vehicle such as the 190 SL Mercedes was exactly what exuberant young people with financial resources needed to get around. The Mercedes 190 SL represented, in fact, the sense of freedom of the "Swinging Fifties".

Almost 80% of the entire production (25,881 vehicles between 1955 and 1963) was exported, half of these to the U.S., where European roadsters have always been highly appreciated.