1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe

The 300SL is a very rare car and fortunately for enthusiasts, there are a few tributes, or replica gullwings that were well constructed in recent years.

Anton 'Tony' Ostermeier ran a shop in Gardena, California called Gullwing Car Company. From that location, many well-made, hand-crafted gullwings were created. The cars were built on a modern 300E chassis, featured an updated drivetrain, suspension, and brakes that made for a very usable street car. Molds were made from an original 300 SL Gullwing, ensuring accuracy. The panels were made of aluminum reinforced with aircraft epoxy/fiberglass and steel.

The parts crafted by Tony were so accurate and of high quality that they were ultimately purchased and used on authentic 300SL coupes and roadsters. Some parts were even sold to Mercedes-Benz in Germany.

The running gear and suspension were borrowed from the E-class Mercedes 300E produced from 1989 to 1993. Most of the cars built were shipped to Japan and Germany, and only a few made it to the United States. In total, it is believed that only 50 'replicas' were created. They had full leather interior and air conditioning. The 3-liter six-cylinder engine produced 177 horsepower and was mated to an automatic transmission. There were four-wheel disc brakes and a wheelbase that measured 110.2-inches.

In 2009, this 300SL Gullwing Coupe Replica was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. It was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $150,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $120,000, plus buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009