The predecessor of the SLS is the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. The name Gullwing comes from the doors which open upwards and resemble wings. Only 1,400 cars were produced and you could buy it for the outrageous amount of $ 11,000. Nowadays with the same amount you can buy a Citroen C1 or a life-long supply of monthly public transportation passes (which is the preferable option). Sixty years ago on the other hand, as you may have heard, money used to have a different value and according to a website, you were able to buy 4 Jaguars and a Corvette for $11,000. If you want to buy this car today the easiest thing is to click HERE and it can be yours for the symbolic amount of $6.65.
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So what so amazing about this car, is it the maximum speed of 265km/h or the shocking acceleration, 8.8seconds to reach a hundred km/h? I don’t think so, what makes the car so special is its design. Even today, more than 60 years after it was produced, the design is stunning. Although it was the fastest car of its time, the Gullwing will stay in history as a piece of art Even the engine of the car was slanted at 50 degrees resulting in a low bonnet-line. Another fact about the engine is that it includes the first fuel injection system. If you take notice in the front of the car there are two bulges, but actually only one has practical use (air intake), the other one is just place for aesthetic reasons.
The front grid is the thing that makes your first impression about this car. The grill is dominated by a massive Mercedes-Benz star, which is repeated again in the back .Unlike most cars, it looks like the front grill is not intended for cooling, but rather because it looks good. It gives the car the same bad-ass look which Aston Martins achieve with their front grills.
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Because the designers wanted to keep the smooth looks of the car the trunk is very small and inside it holds a spare tire, which means that there is almost no space for luggage. Further impracticality is the temperature in the cockpit, which is quite high. To some extent this was fixed by the coolers which can be seen above the rearview window. The biggest problem is getting in and out of the car, the doors look cool but for a price. For the American market in particular there was a model with tilt steering wheel making the car a bit easier to access, which makes us wonder if the Americans were the fattest people in the world even in the 50s.
The big question about these cons is, do they actually matter. The SL300 is not supposed to be practical it was meant to be fast and a pleasure the eye. You don’t expect the owner of a Gullwing to go on a family trip or to buy groceries. You expect him to have a gun and a laser watch and go kill some bad guys or even good ones, depending on which side he is. You expect him after that to go to the fanciest bar in town and get the hottest chick. For the second part the car is especially practical even nowadays, I mean how hard can it be to get a girl if you have SL300, even for people who don’t know anything about cars it should be clear that it is amazing and expensive. Plus when she is getting in the car you will be able to get full exposure, remember the “impractical” ease of access?
The big question about these cons is, do they actually matter. The SL300 is not supposed to be practical it was meant to be fast and a pleasure the eye. You don’t expect the owner of a Gullwing to go on a family trip or to buy groceries. You expect him to have a gun and a laser watch and go kill some bad guys or even good ones, depending on which side he is. You expect him after that to go to the fanciest bar in town and get the hottest chick. For the second part the car is especially practical even nowadays, I mean how hard can it be to get a girl if you have SL300, even for people who don’t know anything about cars it should be clear that it is amazing and expensive. Plus when she is getting in the car you will be able to get full exposure, remember the “impractical” ease of access?
Later there was a second version of the car aimed at “poor people”. The SL300 Roadstar, but as I think it lacks the charm of the original and therefore I think it should be completely ignored in this text. The main reason I actually write about the Gullwing is the insanity behind the idea. Nowadays no one makes such impractical things anymore. Even Lotus started making their cars comfortable by putting stereo systems and Air Conditioning in the cars (if you don’t trust me check the Evora it even has electrical windows). Big companies care about safety, and about comfort, they don’t make something just because it’s cool and crazy.
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