Vehicle Description
Mercedes-Benz turned the automotive world on its head when it
unveiled the astonishing 300SL Coupe at the 1954 New York
International Auto Show. A technological tour de force, the 300SL
featured a race-derived tubular spaceframe chassis, independent
suspension, and a 3-liter inline-six with dry-sump lubrication and
Bosch mechanical fuel injection. Surrounding all of that technical
goodness was a stunning coupe body derived from the W194 racing
sports car. The distinct top-hinged doors were an offshoot of the
high-sided tubular frame - a quirk that became one of the most
iconic features in automotive history. Mercedes-Benz built 1,400
"Gullwing" 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 sporting car
masterpiece. Original 300SL values reflect their status as
benchmark, "blue-chip" collectibles. Upwards of seven-figure values
are the norms, and restorations can easily top a half-million
dollars or more. 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 300SL tribute using the finest components
and materials available. It is based on a welded square-tube
chassis crafted in a similar manner to the original. Keeping it "in
the family," Ostermeier utilized contemporary Mercedes-Benz W124
steering, suspension, and running gear. The body was made of an
aircraft-derived material calledGLAREthat bonds fiberglass to a
thin outer layer of aluminum, using factory bucks and original cars
as patterns. The material ensures precise fit and a nearly flawless
outer surface with superior quality and finishes compared to
traditional fiberglass. Many of the trim parts, instruments and
other details are so accurately produced that owners of original
cars began using them on restoration projects, and even experts are
hard-pressed to tell the difference between an Ostermeier and the
real thing at first glance. Ostermeier built only 150 or so, and
these hand-built cars took over 400 hours each to complete. Much
like a Lynx D-Type Jaguar or Glenn Pray Auburn, the cars of Tony
Ostermeier are highly desirable and considered genuine collectibles
in their own right. This outstanding Gullwing International 300SL
is one of just a handful of roadsters built by Tony Ostermeier. It
is finished to the same standard of excellence and accuracy as the
coupes and is virtually indistinguishable from the original at
first glance. Superb throughout and impeccably presented, it has
just 1,200 miles from new and is powered by the desirable twin-cam
3.0-liter M104 engine (as fitted to the 300CE) mated to a 5-speed
manual gearbox. The bright red paintwork is excellent, and the car
is superbly detailed with impeccable trim and brightwork. Gorgeous
polished wheels shod with color-keyed hubcaps and new period-style
Avon 185-15 radials complete the period-correct aesthetic. The
cabin also stays remarkably faithful to the period, with accurately
reproduced seats, instruments, and ivory steering wheel keeping the
late-50's vibe intact. The leather, carpet, and soft trim are
beautifully finished, reflecting the attention to detail Gullwing
Cars put into every car they built. Only the accommodations for the
radio and air conditioning hint at this car's modern-era
underpinnings. Ostermeier offered a variety of engine options from
the Mercedes-Benz catalog. Many customers opted for the somewhat
subdued but bomb-proof single-cam M103 inline-six, as used
throughout the factory range in the '80s and '90s. For the more
performance-oriented buyer, the 3.0-liter M104 was the pick. This
twin-cam, 24-valve inline-six was good for approximately 220
horsepower, which is ample grunt for breathtaking performance while
maintaining the inline-six character that is essential to the 300SL
experience. Gullwing raided the Mercedes-Benz parts bin for most of
the suspension, brakes, steering components, and rear differential,
ensuring the cars were reliable and readily serviced with
accessible parts. This rare and exquisitely preserved Gullwing Cars
'Ostermeier' 300SL Roadster stands on its own as a highly desirable
collector vehicle, perfectly encapsulating everything great about
the original 300SL in a driver-friendly, reliable, and eminently
enjoyable package. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7167-1992-mercedes-benz-300sl-roadster/
