Gullwing America 300 SLC is a One-off Wonder

on February 14, 2013 at 9:59 pm

Although it might not be as big, exclusive or decadent as prewar ancestors like the 540K and SSK, the 1955-‘58 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc (chassis code W188) was still a grand tourer in every sense of the term. Offered in 2+2 coupe, cabriolet and roadster body styles, just 92 of these aluminum-bodied beauties were built during that first model year, with a starting price of 36,500 Deutschmarks (or just a whisker over $18,000 U.S., a colossal amount of money in 1955). Oh sure, the far sportier 300 SL got much more attention then and still does today, but the Sc is still mighty, mighty desirable.

Skip ahead to 2013, and there’s one anonymous Eastern European car enthusiast who wants a modern take on the 300 Sc built on the bones of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. The firm he or she has tasked with designing and building this dream machine is Gullwing America, and what GWA has come up with is the 300 SLC.

The big mesh grille from the original is replicated, albeit leaned back a bit more, and the headlights are bigger and sweep back farther than do the simple small, round units on the Sc. The tapered hood and pontoon fenders flow back toward the cabin, in front of which is about the only stock exterior assembly: The windshield and its frame. The doors are contoured to fit the running boards, which flow into the rear fenders. The sloping rear deck (The SLS’s automatic rear spoiler has been moved to just behind where the roof ends.) flows back into a retro styled tail, with small taillights and a chrome bumper with “Einspritzmotor” (“Injection engine”) stamped into it. The custom wheels measure 21” in front, 22” in back, and the stock fabric roof is supplemented by a removable hardtop whose shape is patterned after that of the 300 Sc coupe.

Venturing to the interior, GWA has reupholstered the seats in red and black leather. It has also retrimmed the center console almost entirely in carbon fiber. Presumably, there are no changes to the 6.2L AMG V8 or the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, but we’re okay with that. We’re also okay with there only being one of these, because here’s the thing: While we appreciate the effort that’s going into it, and the appreciation the parties involved seem to have for classic Benzes, we wouldn’t really call the 300 SLC beautiful. It looks okay from some angles (possibly due to the fact the stock SLS isn’t exactly the prettiest car to ever wear the Three-Pointed Star), but on the whole, it reminds us of a Zimmer, Tiffany or some other 1980s “neoclassic.” Then again, we aren’t the pope of the Church of Good Taste, nor is anyone else; as long as the new owner is happy, we’re happy.