Honestly, it might be worth every penny
When you hear someone mention a half-million-dollar car auction, you probably think of a vintage Ferrari, a Bugatti Veyron, or the latest Ferrari SUV. But there’s something far more unexpected commanding that sort of money on Bring a Trailer: a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing replica built by the legendary Anton “Tony” Ostermeier.
Sure, it’s a replica, but it’s far from your typical kit car, held together by gaffer’s tape. Ostermeier’s Gullwing Cars company, founded in the 1980s by a former Mercedes-Benz employee, represents the gold standard of 300SL replicas. What makes this particular build so special is the obsessive attention to detail that went into it. Ostermeier didn’t just eyeball a few photos and get to work. He used his personal 300SL Gullwing and patterns sourced directly from Mercedes-Benz to create the fiberglass and aluminum bodywork.
Built With Mercedes Parts Engineered To Last
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The 2000 Ostermeier Gullwing replica, sitting at a heady six figures, features all the hallmarks of meticulous German engineering. Under the silver bodywork sits a welded square-tube steel chassis, housing a 3.0-liter inline-six engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. This isn’t an engine-swapped, slap-in-the-face to purists either, it’s the same M103 unit that powered contemporary Mercedes models like the W201 190E, W124 300E, and R107/R129 SL, to name a few.
It’s what sets Ostermeier replicas apart: their use of genuine Mercedes-Benz running gear. The independent suspension, steering components, and power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes all trace their lineage to popular Mercedes models. Chrome 15-inch Rudge-style wheels complete the authentic aesthetic, while details like the pivot-out door handles and wheel-arch eyebrows demonstrate the builder’s commitment to period correctness. Inside, brown leather bucket seats and mostly correct details create a cabin that would fool most enthusiasts. The tilt-forward steering wheel adds another layer of authenticity to the driving experience. The eagle-eyed may point out the incorrect location of the fuel filler door on the side and not in the trunk, and the placement of the shifter lever. That may be a turn-off for some, but that’s honestly not the point.
This Is One Replica To Write Home About
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With less than 3,000 miles showing on the odometer, this particular example offers the chance to own a piece of Ostermeier’s legacy. That is, assuming you’re ready to pay for the privilege. The high bid on this rare replica peaked at $430,000, and it still didn’t meet reserve, remaining unsold.
With a value hovering around half a million dollars, that puts it way over many genuine classics and certainly more than most modern supercars. For Gullwing enthusiasts priced out by the original’s seven-figure plus price tag, these meticulously crafted replicas represent the next best thing. Just be prepared to pay a big six-figure sum the next time it crosses the auction block.
