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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
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
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.
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