It is a German-American relationship that a novelist could not have invented better: As in the case of the 300 SL Gullwing, a successful businessman played the key role in the creation of the 190 SL. Max Hoffmann is regarded as the conceptual father of the two Mercedes roadsters.

Hoffmann succeeded in convincing the Daimler Benz Board of Management to produce a small, less expensive sports car for American customers in addition to the 300 SL. According to Hoffmann, the sales prospects for such a roadster were excellent on the other side of the pond. Development of the 190 SL proceeded at breathtaking speed: The starting signal was given in September 1953, and in February 1954 it was presented together with the 300 SL at the New York International Auto Show.