The beauty Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W198) practically needs no introduction. Introduced in 1954, this sports car derived from the world of competition, not only became the fastest car on the planet, but in 1999 it would be elected as “the” sports car of the 20th century.
The nickname “Gullwing” or “Seagull Wings” is due to the peculiar way they open their doors, a solution derived from the need to facilitate access to the interior.
Only 1400 units were produced between 1954 and 1957 , and now, more than 60 years after its production, Mercedes-Benz is once again producing the body panels of its sports car, with the aim of contributing to the conservation of these valuable vehicles.
High technology and manual work
The production of the new panels is the result of a partnership between the star brand and a certified supplier, with Mercedes guaranteeing factory quality for the new panels — the promised precision of assembly and alignment allow to minimize the amount of subsequent work on the vehicle.
The process results from the combination of state-of-the-art technology with traditional manual manufacturing methods. The certified supplier — which Mercedes-Benz does not identify — has among its competences the complex construction of tools derived from 3D data collected from original bodies.
Front panel under construction.
These tools allow you to produce the necessary metal parts, which are later finished by hand using wooden mallets. The accurate data resulting from the 3D analysis also serves as the basis for a quality inspection by comparing false colors. In other words, the measurement tool uses 3D data as a reference and uses false colors to visualize the measured deviations between the desired state and the real state, making possible a quick and objective interpretation of the measurement results.
Predictably not cheap
The panels can be ordered from any Mercedes-Benz commercial partner, using their serial number, and are electrophoretically painted, guaranteeing high technical and visual standards. Given the rarity of the model — it is unknown how many 300 SL “Gullwing” there are currently — and the meticulous production process of the new panels, the prices are (predictably) high:
- Left front panel (A198 620 03 09 40), 11 900 euros
- Right front panel (A198 620 04 09 40), 11 900 euros
- Left rear panel (A198 640 01 09 40), 14 875 euros
- Right rear panel (A198 640 02 09 40), 14 875 euros
- Rear central section (A198 647 00 09 40), 2975 euros
- Rear floor (A198 640 00 61 40), 8925 euros
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Mercedes-Benz promises to add more parts in the future, joining not only these, but other existing ones, such as the re-creation of the original upholstery in three different patterns, as offered in the original 300 SL “Gullwing”. With the production of more and more variety of parts, will there be a possibility in the future of a continuation series, as we have already seen happening at Jaguar?