Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
“The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is probably one of the most complex cars ever built. If you can restore one of these you can restore anything!!”
Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Restored to absolute perfection by Moto Technique
Photo by TIM SCOTT of FLUID IMAGES
The Brief
In 2009 Moto Technique were approached by a client and asked to undertake a start-to-finish complete “body-off” ground up nuts and bolts restoration including all the mechanicals of a 1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing.
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is one of the worlds most iconic cars and when it was launched in 1954 it was the fastest and most advanced production car in the world. It is also one of the most complex cars ever assembled with many innovations that were unique in its day and years ahead of any other manufacturer.
The car when it arrived at the Moto Technique workshop was old and tired. The brief was to restore it to its full former and original glory and that it should be “Better than New”.
Bodywork and Paint
The process begins and the first step is to strip the 300SL down to a bare shell and chassis
After an initial full inspection of the whole car (Body, mechanicals, suspension, interior etc.) the car is taken into our state-of-the-art jig and alignment centre, where it is scanned checked and measured to make sure that the body and chassis are as they should be. If there is any discrepancy, these will be corrected during the restoration. This car being a fine example was found to be perfectly correct in all areas.
A detailed report is then produced on the condition of the car and a restoration schedule detailing everything that needs to be restored, repaired, or replaced. A replacement of any major part of a car is only considered as a last resort as it is important to maintain the history and integrity of these magnificent historical machines.
After a full strip down the bodywork is separated from the chassis as they are both sympathetically restored.
The 300SL Gullwing body on the Moto Technique State-of-the-art alignment jig.
A Moto Technique artisan using an “Old school” classic lead loading technique to repair the rear wing of this automotive icon.
Again, a gentle and experienced hand is used to sympathetically repair an original body part with great care and attention rather than replace, so as to retain the cars integrity and originality.
After some minor repairs and alignment checks the chassis is painted in two pack epoxy primer.
The bodywork is also primed in two pack epoxy, once all the repairs are made and checked.
Once the final top coats are applied, the whole bodywork is baked on in our specialist spray booth, then when it has cured and hardened it is flat and polished to perfection.
Engine and Mechanics
At its launch in 1954 the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing was the first production car in the world to feature Bosch mechanical fuel injection, which had been derived from the Messerscmitt 109E fighter plane. Its 3.0 litre straight six engine was water cooled and fitted with triple two-barrel Solex carburettors giving it an output of 240bhp and a top speed of 160mph making it the fastest production car in the world at the time.
When the engine was removed from the car it was carefully dismantled and found to be in need of some serious TLC.
Engine is carefully removed before being inspected.
Decades of use has taken its toll, as the engine is diligently dismantled and assessed, its not a pretty sight, but one thing is guaranteed, it will be returned to its full former glory, in both appearance and performance.
After many hours in the Moto Technique mechanical workshop our highly skilled and experienced technicians have the Mercedes 3.0 litre straight six looking and performing better than when it originally left the Mercedes factory all those years ago.
Suspension parts, reconditioned and looking brand new again, ready to be refitted.
Chassis rebuild starts to take shape before it is remarried with the body shell.
Interior Trim
The Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing is notorious for having a cabin that gets very hot. So,before the interior is re-trim by our sister company O’ROURKE COACHTRIMMERS one of the only upgrades that we give this car is modern insulation that will make it more comfortable for the occupants.
300 SL Gullwing interior re-trimmed to absolute period correct specification with correct leather and colour by O’ROURKE COACHTRIMMERS
Mission accomplished. Another Moto Technique World Class ground up restoration to the finest technical standards available anywhere.
Checkout the full photo set of this wonderful car in our portfolio section: