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Gullwing America turns SLS AMG Roadster into stunning 1955 300 SC redux

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

Gullwing America specializes in what it calls "retro styling meets modern technology." It's next demonstration of that is the convertible above, a stylized recreation of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC (inset) supported by the structure of a 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Commissioned by a client in Eastern Europe, the resulting car is called the 300 SLC.

The hand-formed aluminum bodywork required just a few changes to the SLS AMG Roadster, namely reworking the headlights into a stacked arrangement of LEDs and relocating the pop-up spoiler behind the cabin. The retro grille and long, straight hood evoke the past, the custom exhaust, height-adjustable suspension, 21-inch wheels up front and 22-inch wheels in back, however, stray a little further from history. The 300 SLC will come with a hardtop and be one-of-a-kind, making it even rarer than its inspiration, of which 92 were made.

If you have any more questions, they can probably be answered in the high-res photo gallery above and press release below.

Continue reading Gullwing America turns SLS AMG Roadster into stunning 1955 300 SC redux

Gullwing America turns SLS AMG Roadster into stunning 1955 300 SC redux originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GWA spreads its wings to Mexico with Ferrari 340 Competizione project

Noah Joseph — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Etc., Ferrari, Design/Style

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Gullwing America was all about the classic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and its modern-day successor, the SLS AMG. But disregarding the name, the company has stepped out of Stuttgart's shadow for its latest classic recreation.

GWA calls it the Ferrari 340 Competizione, as it pays tribute to the original 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico. Only three of those racers were made, and they were designed specifically
to tackle the legendary Carrera Panamericana where, fittingly, Mercedes' 300 SL dominated.

The modern interpretation takes a Ferrari 456 GT as its starting point, retaining its 470-horsepower 5.4-liter V12 and six-speed manual transmission, but upgrading the aerodynamics, suspension and brakes, draping fresh aluminum bodywork over the mechanicals. The interior likewise pays homage to the 340 Mexico, but packs modern touches like carbon fiber seats.

It's a work in progress, and only one example is reportedly set to be built. Which is just as well, because knowing how keenly Ferrari likes to protect its property, any prospects of serial production - however limited - would likely be kiboshed by Maranello. We'll look forward to watching the project unfold, but for now, you can check out the renderings in our image gallery for a closer look.

GWA spreads its wings to Mexico with Ferrari 340 Competizione project originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GWA Tuning lays hands on Mercedes-Benz E63 Estate

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

GWA Tuning E63 AMG Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

To our hearts and minds the Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon needs nothing. That hasn't stopped GWA Tuning from adding to the monstrous estate, and we'll leave it to you to give thanks, or not, that they feel differently than us. The package includes a new grille and front bumper with fierce set of LED-adorned intakes beneath the 'knees,' new side sills and rear diffuser, plus some ducting here and there for good measure.

That's the standard kit. If you need more, grab the entire swine and request the lowered stance on staggered wheels - 19s in front, 20s in back - body-colored GWA wheels, and the remote-controlled exhaust butterflies. And beyond that remote you wouldn't know anything had been done, since GWA's only modifications are aluminum pedals and illuminated door sills. The base package needs €15,000 ($18,500 U.S.) of your attention, the top flight kit needing about €22,000 ($27,200 U.S.).

Have a look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below while you think it over.

Gallery: GWA Tuning Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon

[Source: Carscoop]

GWA Tuning lays hands on Mercedes-Benz E63 Estate originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gullwing America takes on Mercedes' latest supercar, creates SLS Panamericana

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

Gullwing America SLS Panamericana - click above image for high-res gallery

Few cars are as classic and iconic as the original Gullwing, also known as the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Created by a loophole in racing rules when MB realized that, "Nowhere is it written that a door can only open sideways." Hence, Mercedes was allowed to retain the strength of the 300SL's (as well as the 300SLR's) tubular space frame by hinging the doors from the roof. A legend, as they say, was born.

Fast-forward more than fifty years and Mercedes-Benz (via AMG) is about to launch a new gullwing, this time called the SLS AMG. While it's no doubt a great car (553 horsepower tends to do that), some might say it's slightly lacking in the retro SL looks department. Enter Gullwing America (you might remember their updated 300SL) and their new SLS Panamericana.

Created to be a more proper "300SL from the 21st century," the Panamericana consists of seven body pieces including the all important "eyebrows" on top of the fenders. Everything is made from either lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber. Plus, you get those snazzy racing stripes. As well as a swath of Alcantara on the seats set off by contrast stitching. You also get a set of GWA wheels, 19-inchers up front, 20-inches in the rear. While we do like most of what we see, we're honestly not sold on the brows... how about you? Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: Gullwing America SLS Panamericana

[Source: Gullwing America]

Gullwing America takes on Mercedes' latest supercar, creates SLS Panamericana originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gullwing-America modernizes the Mercedes 300SL

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Mercedes-Benz

2009 Gullwing-America 300SL Panamerica concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

They don't build 'em like they used to. Actually, they usually built them better, but they don't design 'em like they used to. Or so Gullwing-America figures. The classically-enamored garage is planning on relaunching the original SL's iconic shape with modern technology and fabrication in what could very well be the ultimate blend of old and new.

The 2009 Gullwing-America 300 SL Panamericana is the brainchild of Arturo Alonso, the same engineer behind the Bentley S3 E concept. With that model already on its way to market, Alonso has turned his attention to the Gullwing. With a body of fiberglass-reinforced aluminum over a powder-coated steel chassis, the Panamericana will apparently draw its power from Mercedes' own M-133-55 engine, the same 5.5-liter V8 underpinning the SLR McLaren's supercharged unit, albeit tuned to produce 370 horsepower. Plans are also afoot to make a smaller V6 available, either mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-ratio Speedtronic automatic transmission.

Riding low on 17-inch AMG wheels with a custom independent suspension, to our eyes, the 300 SL Panamericana looks a lot hotter than the camouflaged versions of the forthcoming AMG-tuned Gullwing, but they'll need some orders to get the project off the ground and on to the street. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the renderings in the high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Gullwing-America 300SL Panamericana concept

[Source: Gullwing-America via World Car Fans]

Continue reading Gullwing-America modernizes the Mercedes 300SL

Gullwing-America modernizes the Mercedes 300SL originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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