Gullwing America turns SLS AMG Roadster into stunning 1955 300 SC redux

Thu, 14 Feb 2013

Gullwing America specializes in what it calls "retro styling meets modern technology." It's next demonstration of that is the convertible above, a stylized recreation of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC (inset) supported by the structure of a 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Commissioned by a client in Eastern Europe, the resulting car is called the 300 SLC.

The hand-formed aluminum bodywork required just a few changes to the SLS AMG Roadster, namely reworking the headlights into a stacked arrangement of LEDs and relocating the pop-up spoiler behind the cabin. The retro grille and long, straight hood evoke the past, the custom exhaust, height-adjustable suspension, 21-inch wheels up front and 22-inch wheels in back, however, stray a little further from history. The 300 SLC will come with a hardtop and be one-of-a-kind, making it even rarer than its inspiration, of which 92 were made.

If you have any more questions, they can probably be answered in the high-res photo gallery above and press release below.

GWA's unique take on "retro styling meets modern technology" has caught the eye of an undisclosed client from Eastern Europe. This client has requested an exclusive sports car design that will be one-of-a-kind. A challenge that GWA was happy to take on.

For this particular project, GWA selected a 2012 SLS Roadster (R-197) as the base. Its platform running gear and interior features will require only slight changes, since this car is a masterpiece of technology already.

Where GWA will bring in their expert touch is with the handmade aluminum body, which will be modeled after a 1955 300 SC (W-188). Only 92 of these cars were ever made.

"We tried to keep the original lines of this model, which are timeless," says Arturo Alonso, head of GWA. However, making it truly unique required some changes. This included changing the position of the pop-out rear spoiler and modernizing the headlights with LED's. The grille was redesigned with an assertive, yet elegant, slant and illuminated emblem on the top.

The car also has custom made, 22 x 12 rear and 21 x 9.5 front, GWA Evolution wheels mounted on Continental tires. A special exhaust system and adjustable height suspension finish off the enhancements.

The culmination of GWA's vision results in a 21st century 300 SLC, a convertible roadster with a removable hard top. It just doesn't get any better than that.

GWA will oversee every step of the process until the car is delivered. They have no doubt it will be truly one of a kind and just what their VIP client is looking for.

Team GWA.

By Jonathon Ramsey