Even Better than the Real Thing: Retro Gullwing still built in Germany, but with V8 power
The Retro Gullwing – Click above for high-res gallery
The Gullwing is making a comeback, and making it big. As if there weren't enough concept cars, custom rods and Hollywood time machines sporting the classic-yet-avant-garde door configuration, Mercedes is preparing a new SLS AMG supercar to revive them, plus an anticipated hybrid SL variant to join the fold. But for every revival there's a newfound affection for the original. That could explain why Bathing Ape's Nigo commissioned AMG to make him a new one with a six-liter V8 under the hood and all done up in camouflage. It could also explain designer Arturo Alonso's latest project, an update on the classic 300SL. And it could explain this continuation Gullwing still being built in Germany, but with the benefit of modern powertrain technology.
Gullwing GmbH is the company responsible for this heritage ride. They're also the company building the latest AC Cobra, complete with gullwing doors of course, and providing the underpinnings for Arturo Alonso's aforementioned Panamerica concept. The design, as you can plainly see, is faithful to the original, but Gullwing has made some updates to the circa-1952 engineering. The 3-liter, straight six, 215-horsepower beating heart of the original has been replaced with Benz's latest 405-hp 5.5-liter V8 with accompanying 7-speed automatic gearbox. Gullwing has also redesigned the chassis, suspension and brakes to deal with the extra power, and added a host of modern features from ABS to air-conditioning, capping off the authentic interior with the retro-style Becker Mexico radio/sat-nav unit. So equipped, a "new" Gullwing will set you back €165k (about $220k), but you'll have to wait 10 to 18 months for delivery, put down €50k ($66k) in advance and hope they haven't received more than 30 orders this year, 'cause that's the most they'll make each year at their factory in Dresden, Germany. By then a stick-shift six-cylinder version should be ready, along with a roadster, to say nothing of the new SLS AMG. Maybe "Back to the Future wasn't so far off after all.
Gallery: Continuation Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
[Source: Gullwing GmbH via MotorTips]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bakka 1:36PM (5/07/2009)
Like, want!
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zamafir 1:39PM (5/07/2009)
Ditto!
13enS 2:19PM (5/07/2009)
WANT!
Quattroporte 1:43PM (5/07/2009)
I'd still rather have an original (duh), but I'd happily settle for one of these. Now make a recreation of a BMW 507 with one their modern twin-turbo V8s.
http://www.concours.jp/images/cars/c10.jpg
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luv_my_car 2:01PM (5/07/2009)
BMW 507 and the Mercedez Gull Wing are 2 outstanding cars of all time.
zamafir 2:08PM (5/07/2009)
I thought BMW tried to dope some idiots into believing that the Z8 was a revival of the 507?
Man, I've only seen the 507 a few times in person, such an amazing car. oddly enough the last time was when the owner of the Arabella Sheraton Grand put his private collection in the lobby for sh!ts and giggles one year. I spent an hour admiring it. Entertainingly, the trip to BMW’s museum was less spectacular than the hotel lobby.
homunculus 2:47PM (5/07/2009)
Never realized how many styling cues the new z4 took from that car.
Protzenegger 3:00PM (5/07/2009)
@ zamafir: Except that the Z8 clearly WAS a revival of the 507.
http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200609/2000-bmw-z8-11_460x0w.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/40/122128103_593d3f900d.jpg?v=0
zamafir 4:59PM (5/07/2009)
@Protzenegger, argue with quattroporte, i was responding to his assertion (which I agree with) that BMW hasn't built a true successor to the 507. The horribly selling and driving Z8’s marketing hype did nothing to dissuade me from actually driving one and coming to agreement with quattroporte on this one. What about the Z8’s driving experience or dumbed down retro looks struck you as a true spirited return of the 507?
Protzenegger 5:22PM (5/07/2009)
I didn't find the Z8's looks to be "dumbed-down" at all. I think it was very well-executed retro, inside and out. The reason it sold so poorly was that it cost way too much for what it offered. At $130K it was almost in Ferrari 360 territory, and simply couldn't compete on that level. Had they priced it in the Mercedes SL range instead, I wager it would have been less of a failure.
Stumpy 1:43PM (5/07/2009)
Updated Classic. That is awesome.
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GPR 1:49PM (5/07/2009)
OK, I'm not hating on this, and it's obviously an icon of automotive design. And I would buy one in a heartbeat if I was in that demographic (rich enough!).
I'm just wondering if it should look a little different. Less literal and more tribute. If it looks so much like the original, does it seem you're trying to fool people? Like kit cars do - just, you know, good.
Or am I missing the changes?
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Kattleox 2:08PM (5/07/2009)
There is a new 2011 Gullwing. This is not it. What you just did is look at an Art Morrison Corvette and said, "They should have made that ZR1 look more modern."
zamafir 2:10PM (5/07/2009)
No changes. well aside from the engine, transmission, and i'd say handling. So everything relevant to the driving experience. There's a growing trend of small builders looking to return the classics to the fold with modern updates. I'm not sure it's a bad thing. I could see someone wanting a gullwing to use as a daily driver and not wanting to take their prized original out. I
GPR 4:32PM (5/07/2009)
Oh, I'd hate to see it modernized. I'm getting really tired of the retro thing.
But some design cue that tells me it's not an original, but this very cool new thing.
What would you feel if someone said "Wow, awesome car. Is it real?" Would you try to explain "no, but it's better in many respects...." or would you just say "yeah."?
But just thinking out loud. I do think at least top five best car designs ever. And I'm getting close to a point of being able to buy a 190sl. No not the same. But enough DNA to be gorgeous.
PJ 2:23PM (5/07/2009)
300SL replica? That is so awes...
"with accompanying 7-speed automatic gearbox."
...oh.
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Protzenegger 2:55PM (5/07/2009)
That hardly stops me from wanting one of these.
JZeke 2:59PM (5/07/2009)
I like how they have a double wishbone suspension front and rear. If I could swing it, id much rather have one of these than an original... so I could actually enjoy driving it and not worry about terminal lift-off oversteer from the Ur swing axle.
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gabriel 3:10PM (5/07/2009)
Just great. An all-time favorite classic updated and ready to buy as new. I think it's perfect.
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eckre 4:04PM (5/07/2009)
Best. Looking. Car. Ever.
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