Mica Dori‘s Mercedes-Benz 190e

1990 190E 2.0 · Pontllanfraith, United Kingdom

Slot 006
After
Before
Before After

This is my 190 E. I call him Papi.

I didn’t build him to please the scene. I built him so that when people look at him, they already know he’s mine. People tell me I’m a little bit flamboyant. Fine. So is the car. That’s the point.

He’s a W201 Mercedes-Benz 190 E, finished in Arcticweiß, sitting on Work Carving Head wheels with Mariachi centre caps and Air Lift 3P. Euro Mercedes lines mixed with Chicano lowrider attitude. Side-exit tucked into the skirts, fully red tails, heckblende, AMG callipers peeking through. Restrained and aggressive at the same time. That’s how I wanted it.

The heart of it is a 3.2-litre M104. I stripped the bay, cleaned it, polished it, plated the hardware, and then I tattooed it. Over five hundred hours. Every surface I could reach. As a tattooist, what better way to make the car a representation of myself than to tattoo it? Even its heart, you know?

Inside it’s the same story. Ox-blood leather and suede from a Cosworth, white belts, a knuckle-duster shifter, door handles I engraved, a Nardi wheel I engraved with lowrider influence and a brass 187 badge. On the headlining I painted a mural by hand. I can’t leave things be. I have to put my own spin on them. Being creative is who I am.

Nic and I built him at 187 Automotive in Wales. Two creative people in the same workshop just push each other. One of us will say, come on, let’s go home, it’s 2am. Most people do a 9-to-5. Why not a 9-to-9 and keep going?

A lot of people in this world build what they think everyone else wants. I did exactly what I wanted, so it would be truly special for me. We teased him after a visit, then let him loose at FittedUK 2022. The engine bay stopped people. That’s the bit I’m proudest of. Not because it makes the car faster. Because it’s me, engraved into the metal.
That’s Papi. Engraved in my mind. And now, I hope, in yours.

FILE / FEATURE.VIDEO
FILE / BUILD.LOG, CHRONOLOGICAL

Build log32 entries

2026
Sep 10, 2026

Low and Slow Cruisin at Adria Petrol⛓️.

Sep 9, 2026

Stanceland was one hot vibe. Beautiful location and views. I think I'm the only one missing the heat though 🥵 ❤️🤍🖤 #mercedes #w201 #190e

Sep 8, 2026

Elegance at its finest.

Sep 4, 2026

When in Rome… Snapping necks.

FILE / INTAKE.2026

Your car belongs in this registry. 474 of the 500 founding slots are still open, numbered in order of intake.

Free, no card. Your own photos, your honest spec, reviewed before it goes live. City only, and your email is never shown.

Claim a founding slot
FILE / DISCUSSION, OPEN

No entries yet. Ask about the setup, the parts or the story: the first comment opens this file's discussion.

Add to the discussion

Cross-reference

Related builds.

View all builds →