Vehicle Description
Mercedes-Benz turned the automotive world on its head when the
astonishing 300SL Coupe made its debut at the 1954 New York
International Auto Show. A technological tour de force, the 300SL
had a tubular spaceframe chassis, independent suspension, and a
3-liter inline-six with dry-sump lubrication fed by Bosch
mechanical fuel injection. Wrapping the spaceframe was a taut,
curvaceous two-seat coupe body shell derived from the W194 racing
sports cars. The high sides of the frame led to the ingenious
top-hinged doors, that when open resembled a bird's wings - and
thus the "Gullwing" moniker was born. Mercedes-Benz built 1,400
coupes and just over 1,800 roadsters in the car's nine-year
production run, and today, no significant collection is complete
without an example of this post-war masterpiece. The value of
original 300SLs reflects its status as a benchmark, "blue-chip"
collectible. Upwards of seven-figure values are the norms, and
concours restorations can easily top a half-million dollars. As the
300SL slipped out of reach for the average enthusiast, the market
for replicas and recreations grew accordingly. In the 1980s, a
300SL owner and former Mercedes-Benz employee named Anton "Tony"
Ostermeier founded Gullwing International Cars to take the concept
of a "replica" 300SL to another plane, designing a ground-up,
exacting recreation worthy of sharing the spotlight with the
legendary original. Ostermeier cut no corners developing his
Gullwing tribute, using the finest components and materials
available. The bespoke square-tube chassis is crafted in the same
manner as the original. Keeping it "in the family," the car is
built around contemporary Mercedes-Benz W124 engines. The body is
measured against factory bucks and made with an aircraft-derived
material that bonds fiberglass to a thin outer layer of aluminum.
The process ensures precise accuracy, and a nearly flawless outer
surface with better consistency and finish quality than traditional
fiberglass. Many of the trim parts, instruments, and other details
are so accurate that owners of original cars began using them on
restoration projects, and even marque experts are hard-pressed to
tell the difference between an Ostermeier and the real thing at
first glance. These hand-built cars took over 400 hours each to
build, and much like a Lynx D-Type Jaguar or Glenn Pray Auburn, the
cars of Tony Ostermeier's Gullwing International are highly
desirable and considered genuine collectibles in their own right.
Presented in the classic combination of silver over blue leather,
this 2000 Ostermeier Gullwing is a superb example, showing just
over 12,700 miles from new. Car number 1105, this is a very late
production model, completed in the spring of 2000. It is very
well-documented, with a history file including the original sales
invoice, Certificate of Origin, specification sheets, and sales
literature. Documentation shows this car was ordered new by Mr. Tom
Milner of Winchester, Virginia. Keen motor racing fans will
recognize Milner as the founder of Prototype Technologies Group and
the father of Le Mans-winning driver Tommy Milner. Much like Group
44 was to Jaguar or Pratt & Miller is to Corvette Racing, PTG was
the race shop behind BMW's highly successful IMSA GTS program in
the mid-1990s, when their distinctive wide-body, Yokohama-livered
M3s took three championships in a row. It is not surprising, then,
that Mr. Milner was attracted to Tony Ostermeier's superbly crafted
Gullwing. The original sales agreement shows Milner ordered his car
with the optional 3-liter inline-six mated to a Mercedes-sourced
5-speed manual gearbox. Other equipment includes power brakes, air
conditioning, and optional period-look wheels. The most recent
owners acquired the car in 2008 when it showed just 9,780 miles. It
has since enjoyed a life of light use, and is in superb condition
today with gorgeous paint and detailing. The body is excellent,
exhibiting precise panel gaps, and high-quality plating on the
bumpers and trim. The factory-style painted wheels wear authentic
chrome hub caps and new, period-style Blockley radials. Raising the
signature top-hinged doors reveals the beautiful, hand-stitched
leather cockpit. Anyone who has driven a 1950s Gullwing will feel
instantly at home in this car. The leather seats are crafted in the
same manner as the originals, with sills trimmed in matching
leather, and correct square weave carpet lines the floors.
Instrumentation and switchgear are exact reproductions, and this
car features a period-correct steering wheel that tilts for easy
ingress/egress (the factory-supplied Nardi is included). Air
conditioning is a welcome modern accommodation, as is a neatly
integrated stereo. A fitted two-piece luggage set nestles behind
the seats, and there is a generously sized boot to accommodate all
you'd need on a continental tour. Mechanically, the car consists of
nearly all off-the-shelf Mercedes Benz components, starting with
the virtually-bulletproof M104.983 shared with the W124 300E. The
inline six-cylinder unit retains the factory fuel injection and
engine management, and the power goes through a 5-speed manual
gearbox and on to a Mercedes rear axle. Parts are readily
available, and any experienced Mercedes technician will feel right
at home under the hood. The engine is clean and tidy, appearing
well-maintained and reflective of the low mileage. Disc brakes are
at all four corners, and the Mercedes-derived suspension is
specially tuned for balanced handling and ride quality. These are
superb cars to drive, and their quality is apparent from the first
turn of the key. With reliable, proven mechanical components, this
is a superb automobile for long-distance touring or for merely
savoring your favorite driving roads in the spirit of the original
300SL. With only 150 or so examples produced, Ostermeier Gullwings
are extremely rare and seldom available on the open market. This
excellent example is beautifully maintained, and ready to be driven
and cherished by its next keeper. Offers welcome and trades
considered