Signature Autosports brings the famous Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing back to life with a restomod based on the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG. It’s called the Signature 355 SL and it combines the classic look of the 300 SL Gullwing with modern AMG technology.
Photo: Signature Autosports
How many of us wouldn’t want a Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing? But very few have been able to afford one, since only 1,400 units were ever produced, and today the price of a well-maintained example exceeds 1.5 million euros. Of the 1,400 cars, 29 had aluminum bodies, and their prices are astronomical, reaching 9–10 million euros.
Produced between 1954 and 1957, the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing had a 3-liter inline-six engine with direct injection, developing 215 PS sent to the rear axle. A top speed of 220 km/h was a respectable figure for those times.
But Signature Autosports, based in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, had a brilliant idea: to revive the legend of the 300 SL Gullwing in modern form.
Thus, using the technical foundation of the second- or third-generation Mercedes SLK 55 AMG (R171 and R172), Signature Autosports builds a replica of the famous 300 SL Gullwing.
The project is called Signature 355 SL and adopts the design elements and proportions of the classic coupe. The 355 SL keeps the solution of the upward-opening gullwing doors, just like the original model, and the body lines follow the Gullwing’s characteristics, with round headlights and a radiator grille featuring a horizontal bar framing the Mercedes emblem.
Under the bodywork it does not have the tubular structure of the 300 SL Gullwing but rather the modern platform of the 2014 Mercedes SLK 55 AMG R172 and its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter AMG V8 engine, which develops 421 PS (310 kW) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. Gear changes can also be done manually using the steering-wheel paddles, and the gearbox offers Efficiency, Sport, and Manual modes.
With a power-to-weight ratio of around 325 PS/ton, the Signature 355 SL promises very rapid acceleration and response.
The car rides on custom 18-inch, three-piece wheels that retain the design of the original model, fitted with modern Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. To maintain its sporty character, the 355 SL was equipped with height-, rebound-, and compression-adjustable coilover suspension from German manufacturer KW, allowing the owner to fine-tune the ride quality and cornering behavior to their taste.
The modern interior, taken almost unchanged from the SLK R172, contrasts spectacularly with the 1950s-inspired body. Yet there are also a few elements that remind us of the legendary 300 SL, such as the black leather seats without headrests. Even the trunk is lined in Alcantara, and the dashboard includes modern features such as a premium audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and air conditioning.
Because the engine and transmission are taken unmodified from the SLK R172, this model can be serviced at Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
The car debuted at the Palm Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it was crowned with the prestigious Modern Era Trophy. It now has 69,500 miles on the odometer and is available for sale for USD 299,950 (around 258,000 euros). It may seem like a lot, but this price is seven times lower than the original model’s, and under the hood it has a V8 that is twice as powerful as the original car’s.
If you want a made-to-order example, Signature Autosports can build one from scratch. The American company offers several 355 SL versions: Gullwing, Convertible, or Roadster, combined with the technical platform of either the second-generation SLK R171 or the third-generation SLK R172.
There are also multiple engine options: the 5.4-liter M113 V8 for the R171 with 400 PS and 520 Nm (384 lb-ft), or the 5.5-liter M152 V8 with 421 PS and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft). These can be paired with 6-speed manual transmissions, 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatics, 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatics, and even 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatics for some R172 versions.
Beyond the Signature 355 SL, the American company also offers an even bolder proposal. It’s called the Signature 300 SL, using the same R171 or R172 technical base, but with a classic interior similar to that of the original 1950s model. This model is also available in Gullwing, Convertible, and Roadster versions.
For more details, you can visit the website signatureautosports.com.
Sweet looking car. I can only imagine how much it cost….
The price is in the article 299,000 USD.