German Car Forum

Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Panamericana Replica

Here is the the rebirth of an Icon, the 2009 300 SL Panamericana, based on a Reproduction from Hoope'r, Gullwing-AG in Germany, who produce the closest model you can get to the real thing. Arturo Alonso and his company, Gullwing-America , modified this already outstanding automobile into an exotic for the 21st century.

A combination of the Glorious Carrera Panamericana cars of the 50's and new technology, they came out with this incredible sports car, Alonso himself raced the Carrera for years in a Mercedes 300SE, where the passion for this legendary Race and the Mercedes was born.

The 300SL body is constructed with the use of aircraft composite technology. This construction comprises of a sprayed layer of aluminum to a thickness of .5mm into the mold over which an epoxy adhesive is laid and several layers of 7oz woven glass cloth are then applied with epoxy resin.

Chassis is made from RHS steel reinforced and powder coated, has independent suspension with adjustable coil overs, four wheel disk brakes, a 5.5 liter Mercedes engine, (M-133-55) the one used on the AMG Mercedes models and the SLR, mated to a six speed transmission, special made radiator and exhaust system.

The Panamericana will have a re tuned electronics raising the HP about 370, 530nm of torque @5400RPM. The car will sit lower, have speedtronic transmission, side mufflers, no bumpers, a special grill, four spoke leather steering wheel with power assist, a start button, A/C , a four point harness, Becker Mexico Radio with CD and I pod adapter, and fitted leather luggage. It also includes specially made old school 17 X 8 AMG wheels all around with 235/45/17 Continental Sport contact tires, AMG calipers painted in red, HID headlights, and stripes on the fenders like the "Works" Cars from La Barrera.

For 2010 there will also be the option for the new V6 Mercedes engine (M-272-E35) used on the 350 Models, which has almost the same power of the V8 ( 320HP And 360nm torque @4900RPM)) and could be ordered with a manual six speed.

The cars will all be painted in silver with blue accents in the front fenders like the race cars of the Panamericana, there is the option of a white with red stripes and a Black version. The interiors will be red cover in leather and plaid cloth, typical from that model; The instrument panel is identical as the original 300Sl.

Gullwing-America thinks that this is a true rebirth of the legendary 300SL Gullwing. Updated with technology from 50 years later, the car will be more powerful and handle better than the original. It will be a very drivable car with all the convenient accessories like air conditioning, power steering, etc. from modern cars.

For price and more information contact Arturo Alonso at info@gullwing-america.com

[Source: Gullwing-America]




More pics @ WCF here...

Looks bitching in black!

a 5.5 liter Mercedes engine, (M-133-55) the one used on the AMG Mercedes models and the SLR, mated to a six speed transmission, special made radiator and exhaust system.

Looks a lot like a M119 engine to me

Phew! it's only a replica. If someone did that to the real thing I believe there would be a large queue of people wanting to cause some harm.

I love the idea!
Splendid car, really. Gorgeous.

Wheels's an inch too big for my taste though, but with original 70-80's AMG Penta design.

The use of big M-B stars on the car seems to indicate the project has been approved by Mercedes-Benz (it's not only a parts-delivery deal with MB with those stars, as people will think it's a true MB).

Just like AMG was the only tuner allowed to keep the star on thir cars in the 80's.

What's the price-tag? Surely totally obscene...

Indeed, this picture is from the one car built by HWA for the sultan of brunei, which is a real 1954 300 sl, totally updated with M119 engine from E5OO, AMG brakes, suspension, the whole gang. I'm really anxious to see this project take off, finally somebody got the guts, myself, I'm working on a preliminary project with an 450 SLC, with engine swap from E 55, pre kompressor, all revised suspension, steering, rear axle, interior also major updating, finish with satin silver, shaved bumpers, Brabus MonoIII dark grey wheels, staggered, 2.5" stainless exhaust, it'll be ass kicking when is done. Will keep informed.