Mercedes 300 SL is an iconic and exclusive car, but most exclusive is the version prepared by AMG from which exist only 11 units.
Mercedes built 1,400 300 SL coupe between 1954 and 1957 and 1,858 roadsters from 1957 to 1963. From the 1,400 coupes, 29 units has a body entirely from aluminium, while the regular 300 SL has only hood, doors and trunk lid made from aluminium.
But the 29 units with aluminium body are not the most exclusive 300 SL.
AMG had tuned 11 units of the original 300 SL. The story is very special because the idea to tune a 300 SL with modern AMG technology came from the Sultan of Brunei. He originally made the request to Mercedes and AMG to built a retro modern 300 SL. 11 units were built between 1996 and 2009 but only on a base of an original 300 SL body. Replica versions were not accepted by AMG.
Under the hood, the six inline 3.0 litre engine was replaced by the M119 6.0 litre AMG V8 engine. This engine is very rare and could be found on a limited series of SL AMG and E 60 AMG, a tuned version of the E 500. It develops 381 HP and allow 300 SL to reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h.
The new V8 engine request also a lot of modifications at the drive train. The 300 SL rear axle was replaced by the the rear axle from R 129 SL launched in 1989. Drive train include also Bilstein adjustable sports shock absorbers and a power steering.
The rear brakes came from W124 E-Class while the front brakes were taken over from the C 36 AMG. C 36 AMG was the first car developed in common by Mercedes and AMG. 300 SL got also AMG wheels with high performance tyres.
The interior is also very modern: air conditioning, Recaro sports seats, leather steering wheel, audio system with CD changer and iPod connection was available on board. The modified car got also electrical adjustable side mirrors.
From the 11 units built, five were delivered to the Royal family of Brunei while other six were sold to special customers. From 11 units, eight were coupes, four with left hand drive and four with right hand drive.
Mercedes-Benz and AMG never made too much PR about this project and they decided to not repeat it again. The car presented in these photos is gorgeous even the wheels are not the right choice for this car.
But 300 SL Gullwing will remain in history as the world’s first true supercar and one of the preffered dream car of the Hollywood stars. The AMG tuned 300 SL, done with a high professionalism, is a very rare retro-tuned car and the combination between 300 SL gullwing body design and the modern AMG drive train is really amazing.
