This Baby Benz Was Track-Tested by Racing Greats
Performance
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European
The term “homologation special” refers to cars built in limited production to meet specific requirements set by motorsports series. The rules often stipulate that race cars have a road-going consumer version. The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16, such as the one recently listed on eBay in Miami, Fla., is a prime example.
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These factory hot rods have a direct link to actual race cars, and this Baby Benz checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to competition-level specs.
Legendary Motorsports Bonafides
Mercedes introduced the 190E in 1982 as its first compact, earning the nickname Baby Benz. The company was in the midst of a 30-year hiatus from racing after the deadliest disaster in auto racing, the 1955 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A fatal crash involving a Mercedes 300 SLR killed 84 people and injured an additional 180, mostly spectators. By the 1980s, three decades after the incident, Mercedes returned to the fray.
The company’s concept was to rally with the smallest and lightest car in the Benz lineup. Mercedes partnered with Cosworth, the UK-based engine experts, to modify 190E’s 2.3-liter inline-four for dirt-slinging duty. However, Audi had just debuted its Quattro all-wheel-drive system and started dominating the World Rally Championships. Rear-wheel-drive cars like the Mercedes-Benz 190E would no longer be competitive, so the company scrapped its WRC plans.
Mercedes turned to Germany’s touring car series, soon to be named the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft - opens in new window or tab.. DTM rules required that race cars have at least 5,000 production units to compete. So Mercedes made the Cosworth engines - opens in new window or tab., which had 16-valve heads and upgraded pistons and rings, available to the public.
US models made 167 horsepower over the standard 113. A stiffer suspension and additional aero aids set it apart from lesser 190E sedans. Combined with its dogleg five-speed transmission and a state-of-the-art five-link rear suspension with self-leveling shocks - opens in new window or tab., it was the best-handling Benz built to that point.
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Was Track-Tested by the Greats
Eager to promote the performance variants, Mercedes took three specially prepared examples to the Nardo Ring in Italy, setting three FIA world speed records for sustained driving at 154 mph over 50,000 kilometers.
In another promotional stunt, in 1984, Mercedes prepped 20 190E 2.3-16 cars to run a support race at the Formula 1 Grand Prix held at the newly reopened Nürburgring. Each was to be piloted by a celebrated F1 driver, including Stirling Moss, Niki Lauda, and Jack Brabham. Many had retired from F1, and since it was more of a marketing exercise than an actual race, most did not take it that seriously. But one young up-and-coming driver by the name of Ayrton Senna took it very seriously.
Senna saw the chance to put his name on the map by beating the most famous F1 drivers of all time. He was victorious. Senna would go on to be a three-time world champion and one of the most beloved racers of all time.
A Bargain in the Shadows
The special race established the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16’s performance cred. The model soon became a common sight at DTM races. Mercedes, for its part, didn’t officially enter a factory team until 1988. But during its time, the 190 2.3-16 racked up over 40 wins and spawned three even hotter models, a 2.5-liter successor, and two faster-yet Evolution models.
The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 for sale on eBay is a US-spec car—just one of 751 made in 1987. It’s finished in Smoke Silver, one of two available colors. The interior could use some TLC and with 112,000 miles, it’ll never be collector grade. But that gives you license to have a blast behind the wheel.
The E30 BMW M3 - opens in new window or tab. was a contemporary rival but due to its continued development and name recognition, a similar-condition example would cost at least $50,000. The Benz, at just $21,000, is a bargain for a race-bred sports sedan with a three-pointed star.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.