Time capsule, ready to roar, gets pampered with Nielsen Products!

Mercedes woke up one morning, drove all the way to Cosworth (Northampton), knocked on their door, and said, “Mach uns bitte einen Motor” (“Please make us an engine”). Thus began the iconic partnership between Mercedes and the British engineering firm, leading to the birth of the 2.3-litre, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine that would go down in history. But a 2.3L engine was not enough – 5 years later, they upgraded to a 2.5L, a little change that made all the difference!

Nielsen has, once again, demonstrated its incredible cleaning prowess on a time capsule for the automotive enthusiast. In the latest episode of The Late Break Show, Jonny Smith attempts to revive a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth that has been tucked away and blanketed by years of neglect and spider webs.

But why is the 190E so special?  

The 190E Cosworth has racing in its DNA; the aerodynamic kit gives it an aggressive stance, but it wasn’t just for show – while it may look a little bit boxy to the modern eye, at the time, the design was formulated for aerodynamic performance, giving it less drag and more downforce. A famous quirk from the 190E Cosworth is the car’s dogleg gearbox (with first gear in a “down and left” position), allowing quicker shifts between second and third. This was revolutionary within the racing arena.

Mercedes introduced the predecessor to the star of our show, the 190E 2.3-16, to the world in 1984 in a big way. They invited twenty F1 drivers to race at Nürburgring, and during this Race of Champions, Ayrton Senna claimed victory in a 190E Cosworth, beating F1 icons like Niki Lauda. This race cemented the 190E’s motorsport credibility, demonstrating Mercedes’ engineering prowess and solidifying its place in motorsport history.

Today, the 190E is considered a prized collector’s item.

Bringing a car like this back to life is uniquely satisfying. It’s a way of reconnecting with an era when cars had a soul. The 190E Cosworth is more than just a metal and bolts; it’s a legend.

This 190E was bought brand new by a family that has a generational passion for cars; they salvage, repair and collect cars that resonate with all of us. This homologue 1989 curio was driven and enjoyed until one day… it was abandoned. It last ran in 2014 (10 years ago!), but after years of hibernation, this beast is getting a second chance to shine.

As it gets rolled out of the garage for the first time in years, Jonny could almost hear a whisper from the past, daring him to see what it could still do. Now, it’s time to see if it still has what it takes to run free.

Nielsen’s Magic Touch

During the episode, Jonny uses Nielsen’s Snow Foam, Cherry Shampoo, Quick Detailer, and Wheel Cleaner to perform a shine revival to this 80s racing history. The end result is an astonishing 190E Cosworth full of life and excitement.

Featured products

pH Neutral Snow Foam

Formulated for added cling with extended dwell time, Nielsen pH Neutral Snow Foam quickly softens and dissolves stubburn deposits.

Cherry Shampoo

The Cherry Shampoo’s deep-cleaning formula provided the perfect solution for achieving a spotless, streak-free shine. Its highly concentrated formula creates maximum foaming action for a deep clean that’s gentle, yet effective.

Quick Detailer

The Quick Detailer then added that finishing touch, restoring the car’s shine by removing dust, grime, and fingerprints in seconds. These products are perfect for both professional detailers and car enthusiasts who want to achieve showroom-quality results.

Wheel Cleaner

Nielsen Wheel Cleaner is a premium grade wheel cleaner designed to give a high shine finish; this product is highly effective at removing brake dust, traffic film and oil.