The appeal of old cars typically lies in their design alone, because living with, sourcing parts for, and maintaining a classic is an experience that can be uncomfortable, difficult, and expensive. This solution fixes at least two of those problems, and compared to the original, arguably even all three; Signature Autosports has created a replica of the 1954-1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing using a 2014 SLK 55 AMG. The restomod is dubbed the 355 SL, and it channels the beauty of the iconic 300SL without the drawbacks that make classic car ownership cumbersome, bringing with it a whole lot more power and comfort. This one is for sale, too, but it costs more than seven times as much as a mint SLK 55, which sells for around $40,000.
Original SLK 55 AMG Drivetrain Means Big V8 Power
Signature Autosports
Signature Autosports
Signature Autosports
Produced before Mercedes embraced turbocharging, the original SLK 55 AMG drivetrain beneath this restomod features a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 developing 421 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear axle through an AMG Speedshift Plus seven-speed automatic. The 355 SL retains all the original drive modes, but Signature Autosports didn’t leave all the underpinnings alone, opting to fit its creation with a set of height-, rebound-, and compression-adjustable coilovers from KW Suspensions. To maintain the old school look, a set of custom 18-inch three-piece wheels was crafted to fit 300SL hub caps, while Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber provides contemporary security. Meticulous black paint completes the look and hides any differences in proportion better than silver would.
Decade-Old Interior Looks Futuristic In This Setting
Signature Autosports
Signature Autosports
Signature Autosports
The restomod also retains the SLK 55’s interior elements, with heated power seats (minus the head restraints), air conditioning, a modern sound system, and Bluetooth. While the swathe of buttons on the center of the dash may look ancient anywhere else, a relic of a bygone era when too many buttons were complained about just as much as too few are bemoaned today, they look positively futuristic in this application. And with those roof-mounted gullwing doors, this feels like the middle point between the 300SL and the SLS AMG. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. This restomod (with a not inconsiderable 69,500 miles on the clock) is priced at $299,950. An SLS AMG can be had for as little as $120,000, though a 300SL Gullwing can cost as much as $6 million. Still, at least the trunk of this interesting restomod is lined with Alcantara, the California title is clean, and some 300SL replicas cost far more.
Signature Autosports
Signature Autosports
About the author
Sebastian Cenizo
Senior Editor, Autoblog