Might be the coolest car I've ever seen in person

[chocolatelab]

Let me start by saying i didn't even get a picture. Sorry Sorry

I was heading to the gas station behind a red something. We pull in next to each other to gas up.

I walk over and start talking to this guy, gentleman really. His name was Tom and was definitely in top 5 strangers who turn out to be coolest guys you ever meet.

The car was a 56 mercedes Gullwing. All original with 56k miles.

Freakin insane.

I want one but apparently they are pretty pricey.

He told me all sorts of cool stuff about the car and invited me to San Juan Capistrano on Feb 4th. Apparently there is a big car show and a bunch of Gullwing guys are bringing them down for the car show.

Did you know they have a 36 gallon gas tank....or that they take 4 gallons of oil.......

If you end up down there for any reason make sure to say hi to Tom. Super nice guy.

I am gonna have to reread that thread about how to get rich

[tevake]

A Merc. gullwing started it all for me when I was a kid. Living in Puerto Rico there was a guy living just up the mountain from our house. Seeing and hearing it go by while waiting for the bus in the morning really hooked me big time. Some times I would climb into a mango tree that hung over the road to get a view from above. Whew beautiful. I've never been the same since!

Cheers Richard

[speeder]

We have a member here, (126coupe), who lives in Orange county and has a show condition red Gullwing. Was that who you met?

[rouxroux]

My all-time favorite.

[kach22i]

They had one at NAIAS 2011, it was in such mint shape some old lady thought it was one of the new cars. She was very confused why they would display one of their old cars.

[LWJ]

There was a car show at the Portland Art Museum this last year. There was a 55 or 56 300SL that raced in LeMans. The race where 80+ people were killed and Mercedes pulled the race team? That one. Large air brake in the back. It was a car nut woody moment. Nice.
Larry

[porsche4life]

The MBZ dealer in OKC has a very nice one that belonged to Clark Gable. A stunning car....

[porsche4life]

[rcooled]

Yes, one of the great classics of all time. They were the supercars of their day and could hit 140+ on the Autobahns...and this was in 1954! They were the first production car to feature mechanical fuel injection and a "space frame" chassis that weighed a mere 110 lbs! Several years ago, the 300SL was a featured marque at the Pebble Beach Concours. There was a display of both Gullwings and roadsters arraigned in two rows facing each other...coupes on one side, roadsters on the other...maybe about 40-50 cars in total. Walking down the middle of those rows was a sensory overload. A local guy here drives around town in an un-restored black roadster with a beautiful patina...just saw him the other day on my way home from work.




A first-rate coupe can be had for around $500K today. Even one like this could bring $150K or more.

[Joeaksa]

My Father looked at one back in the mid to late 1960's and almost bought it. Checked on the price of parts and maintenance and did not feel comfortable. It was a gull-wing and was selling for $6000.

He bought a Jag Sedan instead and never looked back... still we talked about the Merc from time to time and wished he had gotten it.

[Jim Bremner]

There was 1500 ish made. 1100 made it to the States. Theres a guy that owns 18 in "The Valley" area of Los Angels.

For a few years there was a body hanging on a rack in the Marina Del Ray area of LA rusting in the Salt air.


If I had 10X the money I have I would buy one!

Von Dutch, the REAL guy from the 50's and 60's painted flames on one. the flames came up from the floor.

[LakeCleElum]

I have a 1960 190 SL....Always wanted at Gull-wing....In College, I worked in the "IBM" building in Seattle....One of the IBM exec's had a Gullwing....I'd hang out int he garage at the end of the day just to watch him drive up the ramp.......$500K is the going rate today...

[chocolatelab]

Originally Posted by speeder

We have a member here, (126coupe), who lives in Orange county and has a show condition red Gullwing. Was that who you met?

I don't think thats him because i mentioned pelican and he hadn't heard of it before. I suggested he check it out since he's got a 356 too.

I asked if he would adopt me. No dice.

[HardDrive]

Beautiful machines.

[sc_rufctr]

I've always appreciated this car. I saw a roadster version in a shopping centre car park more than 20 years ago. I've never forgotten the way it looked. Perfect proportions with just right amount of chrome.

Incidentally... It's recommended to carry an emergency glass hammer in the gull wing version.
If you roll this car on its roof there's no getting out without one.

[widgeon13]

When my father was in the Air Force we lived on a base in Kansas. Out next door neighbor (a major) had a nice one. I was a sophomore in HS. Love at first sight.

He must have been selling secrets to the Russians back then. If he'd had a daughter I would have married her.

[redturbo911]

Man that car is sweet. I just need $499,000. more and I can get one. lol

[dyusem]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

I have a 1960 190 SL....Always wanted at Gull-wing....In College, I worked in the "IBM" building in Seattle....One of the IBM exec's had a Gullwing....I'd hang out int he garage at the end of the day just to watch him drive up the ramp.......$500K is the going rate today...

My sister had a 1960 (Baby?) Blue 190SL for a number of years when I was in my early twenties and before I had my first P-car. It was a wonderful car which I was able to drive whenever possible but unfortunately a dumba*s LA driver made an illegal left-hand turn in front of her one day on Olympic Blvd and she did not react quickly enough and had an awful collision BUT as you know there is a huge amount of engine up front and she walked away with just a tweaked neck...very lucky!

The MB was not so lucky and it was sold off as parts

[redstrosekNic]

I know it will never have the soul of the original gullwing, but the SLS is a great looking car today. My dad has driven one, and they sound incredible.

[HelmetHead]

Photo of similar car in this months Pano mag story on Cuba.. SAD