http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/mercedes_benz/300sl/1264402.html

Greg

Apparently working with a bigger budget than me. The steering wheel sells for about $2,000. The steering wheel center cap for ~$600. You can use the 190SL cap which sells for ~$250 but it doesn't have a chrom rim. The guilloche plate is ~$3,000 ouch!!

This is my dash. The guages are from vintage guage. I think they look good but I will change the face a indicator needles. I have a black plastic know on the headlight switch. I will have to locate 2 chrome ones. I don't have the guilloche plate but in my opinion a piece of turned stainless looks nicer anyway. Note the non-original vent louvres on the bottom.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

Carey

Greg

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I moved to New Zealand 2 years ago and my Gullwing has been in storage. Last week I finally arranged to have it shipped to my new home. So I am real excited!
Greg

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It would seem that there should be a way of creating the molds and tooling for the various Gullwing specific parts (glass, brightwork, switches, etc) so that, as with the Ostermeyer cars, the parts are interchangeable with the real cars. While expensive to do, one would certainly have more of a market than just the kit builders to recoup costs.

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As I have been working on my kit for about 18 months now let me give you some observations. Although it might seem to be the hardest part the frame and body are actually the easiest part. You do need a donor Gullwing and it is a lot of hard work but once done you can sell a frame and body for about $20,000. The truly difficult part is all of the specialized Gullwing parts. Where will you get the glass? Neomoeller's or Mercedes Resource Center will supply this but the price is huge. Say $5,000 for a windshield. There are 8 pieces of glass to buy. You can not make the glass yourself so you either pay huge amounts of money, make them out of Lexan or contract to have a run of original glass made. Tony Ostermeir had Pilkington glass make a run. I don't know the particulars but I think it was 100 sets (minimum). Tony bought 30 sets which he used and Pilkington sat on the rest. They stored them for 10 years then trashed most of them as they were simply in the way and did not sell.
The rear bumpers- Toney had them made in Taiwan or somewhere. There are something like 5 pieces. So he probably had $20,000 tied up in the molds. The list goes on and on. If you think you can make 100 rear bumpers and re-coupe your cost MAYBE. You would need a market though. The 1,200 original Gullwings out there mostly have bumpers or they will pay Meercedes Resource Center to build them a certified exact replacement for $10,000. So you need a growing kit car market to create a demand. The kit car market is stymied by the lack of good quality replacement parts for at a reasonable price. So, it is a catch 22. If several people jumped into the buisness then in my humble opinion the Gullwing could be as popular as the Cobra. You can build a nice Cobra for $25-30K. At this time I doubt that you could build a nice Gullwing for $60K.
I have spoken with Hermann Quint many times. He was able to do it. His car were beautiful. What many of you don't know is that he made almost 30 and that they evolved over the years. They started out as cut down Corvettes. Later he used Mercedes V-8 drive trains on a custom frame. They looked gorgeous no question about it. But exact replicas they weren't. Can you tell me what rear windows he used or what side window? I know and he was quite ingenious. Did you know that the vent window gasket is available from Mercedes but cost $900 each! Most of us cant afford that.
As far as the orignal valve train?Does a modern Mercedes V-8 sound even remotely like a straight 6 mechanically fuel injected 198 engine? The closest engine I could thing would be a early jag straight six or a 240Z. I have seen Chrysler slant six used used. Does anyon think these look, sound or drive like an OHC Mercedes motor? Most if not all of Hermans cars were automatic transmission.It is apparently what sells best. Not my cup of tea.

Toney's parts are tied up in bancruptcy (again) this time in the island of Jersey off the English coast. So we can't expect much help there.
The Mazza Brothers, God bless them, have great intentions and I am sure are honorable people. However they are still bogged down in the body/frame part of the build. I have not heard what they intend to do for door latches, door hinges, trunk latches, grills, side molding, dash molding etc., etc. Their web sight is truly impressive. They make it clear that they are building their first wo cars now however it isn't apparent to the viewer which photos theyy are showing are from an original Gullwing and which are from someone elses reproduction.
Yes there are a few 190SL parts that can be used. I have a list for anyone interested. A good quality 190SL grill goes for $2,000 but at 20 feet you can tell it is not from a 300SL. That is but one example.

In order for someone to succed in the Gullwing replica buisness they will need a lot of financing and a really well thought out buisness plan. Even Tony Ostermeir despite his long success ran out of capital at some point.Starting out with a kit car would allow you to recoupe some of your investment as you went along. The only person doing that is Gil Lonecker. He unfortunately is undercapitalized and I would not even want to comment on his buisness plan on a public forum. He has however succeeded in destroying any credibility he has which I find terribly sad.

Greg

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Here are Als pics.....

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not in germany, that was just a goof. i'm in connecticut, lol. at this point i don't think i want to go the route in selling turnkey cars. at least not at this point in time. i really want this to be a quality kit. it's very labor intensive at this point getting the body perfect, so when i make kits it will fit together. i'm preparing the body so all the gaps will be perfect and i'm not thinking of selling you a kit all in pieces. all the body pannels such as doors hood trunk are inner and outer pieces. i want to laminate and possibly pre-hang the doors trunk and hood. so that i know when you get it, there is nothing that can come back and bite me in the butt. i really want people to be able to finnish it once they get it. that is the most important thing! it really is about quality not quantity.

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Hi All you guys out there,

I CAN solve the mystery of the "Gullwing" project - it is now installed in an auto complex in Germany and being readied to be put back into production - both Gullwing and Roadster. All of the parts, tooling, part built cars, etc.,etc. have now been unpacked, sorted, logged and readied for production. The company involved have had a long and enviable history in the replica car industry [ 25 years ] and are one of Germany's major current manufacturers.

They have recently moved to a 5 acres site with all facilities on site to produce cars.

Go to www.gullwing.ch for more details. The site is available in both German and English.
Manfred von Heyda

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We raised the height of the windshield to accomodate taller drivers. As you probably know, anyone over 5'10" tall had limited ability to see stop lights in an original car. Our goal was to produce an iminately drivable "modern" replica of the original car and not a "recreation". The headlight trim rings are a reproduction, though not VW.
Ron Clark
Production Foreman
Speedster Motorcars
10990 49th St. N.
Clearwater, FL 33762

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www.yachtforums.com/forums/yachtforums-yacht-club/11874-anyone-here-own-any-exotic-cars-4.html" target="_blank">http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/yachtforums-yacht-club/11874-anyone-here-own-any-exotic-cars-4.html

Reading thru this subject thread today has been fun and informative on the subject of kit-car Gullwings

Cheers, Brian

Hey Manfred von Heyda, are you guys still building 300 Mercedes?

How about the Mazza bros? I believe they were having real financial difficulties, but have they totally abandoned their project,...and the molds, etc.

How about the fellow fron Conn,...Krazeyone was it?

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Hi All you guys out there,

I CAN solve the mystery of the "Gullwing" project - it is now installed in an auto complex in Germany and being readied to be put back into production - both Gullwing and Roadster. All of the parts, tooling, part built cars, etc.,etc. have now been unpacked, sorted, logged and readied for production. The company involved have had a long and enviable history in the replica car industry [ 25 years ] and are one of Germany's major current manufacturers.

They have recently moved to a 5 acres site with all facilities on site to produce cars.

Go to www.gullwing.ch for more details. The site is available in both German and English.
Manfred von Heyda

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Appears as though this outfit is no longer in production....their website is for sale??

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Greg
ace1926@gmail.com

Mercedes-Benz crushes ‘unlawlful’ Gullwing replica

March 29th, 2012

Tags: mercedes classic center, michael bock, replicas, silver arrows, tom wheatcroft, tony dron, w125

Is this the moment of truth in a Gullwing restoration when the body is once again joined to its chassis? Not quite. We're looking at the bowels of the Mercedes-Benz Used Parts Center and this particular Gullwing body is being crudely removed from its chassis to be crushed and disposed of.

Mercedes-Benz steps up pressure on replicas
Gullwing design copyright status affirmed in Germany

Ever mindful of the impact of poorly conceived replica Gullwings on its heritage brand, Mercedes-Benz recently seized and destroyed a German built Gullwing replica’s fiberglass body. For decades the Silver Star has viewed any road going copy of the iconic Gullwing shape with derision, particularly those with badging as per the original. During the ’80s Tony Ostermeier’s generally respected Gullwing Cars operation in California skirted the badging issue by delivering their replicas with altered grille/deck lid star designs and no ‘Mercedes-Benz’ or ’300SL’ insignias. Predictably, as soon as new owners took delivery of their cars, an original grille star and original insignias were installed. Other replicas employed similar trickery to avoid attention from Stuttgart.

This will no longer be tolerated by Mercedes-Benz. Badging or no, the glorious Gullwing shape is a work of ‘applied art’ and has been under copyright protection for decades. It’s the enforcement that has been spotty. That is, until 2012. Emboldened by a December 2010 Stuttgart regional court’s ruling affirming the Gullwing design’s copyright status, Mercedes stepped up investigating copyright violations. It is not legal to copy the Gullwing design – at least not in Germany. Gullwing AG, a German firm which planned to introduce a new Gullwing using the original Ostermeier plans and fitted with modern drivetrain, was shut down shortly after the court ruling.

“However, as well as the creators of this vehicle copying our parts and designs, the use of the Mercedes-Benz name and logo is in clear contravention of our trademark rights and we will look seriously at this.”

Unlucky German replica owner

Daimler Media’s release outlines Mercedes-Benz’ attitude succinctly, “A case had arisen in which a company based in Germany had built an unlawful replica of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.” The replica was seized by German Customs officials which may indicate the car was being processed for export. While the entire experience had to be a nightmare for the owner, he/she likely did receive the rolling chassis back after its illicit body was unceremoniously removed and crushed. The issue involved the coachwork only. Case closed for this particular replica.

The offending fiberglass skin awaits destruction. We're not sure who built this car but will try to find out. A serious precedent has now been set in Germany which will undoubtedly send other such replicas, regardless of quality, into hiding.

This photo makes a strong statement indeed. The offending body has been officially destroyed by 'certified equipment' and officially documented with a signed and stamped 'confirmation of scrappage.'

Wheatcroft W125 Recreations
Mercedes-Benz Classic speaks out

Stuttgart’s attitude toward protecting its cherished Gullwing shape is now clear but how will the Factory react to the specter of not one but five EXACT duplicates (4 open wheel versions and one streamliner) of the epic 595hp 1937 W125 Grand Prix car? Two have been completed and one was featured in a massive article within the February 2012 issue of the superb Octane Magazine. The brainchild of the now deceased historic Grand Prix disciple, Tom Wheatcroft, this project began in 2003 and has VERY quietly yielded two cars. Wheatcroft’s plan was to amortize costs by building five, selling 4 and placing the remaining car in his extraordinary Donington Park Racing Car Museum located within England’s Donington Park racing circuit.

With Wheatcoft senior’s death, son Kevin stepped in enthusiastically and kept the project moving ahead, utilizing the best fabrication shops in the world that conveniently happen to be located in England. This program is producing not just ‘replicas’ but, according to reports, DUPLICATES of the original car. How is this possible? The team’s mysterious acquisition of 2,500(!) original drawings and access to two of the original cars that escaped the factory into private hands has insured a mind bending level of accuracy. We must credit the extraordinary fabrication and research skills of Crosthwiate & Gardener and master coachwork fabricator Roach Manufacturing as well.

Mercedes-Benz Museum CEO comments

How does Mercedes-Benz feel about this project which comes to fruition the same year it decides to actually race it’s W125 in selected top tier historic events? Michael Bock, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH and Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic, responded with a tactful but revealing statement also in Octane’s Februry issue, “The Mercedes-Benz w 125 is an iconic racing car, and whilst we can see the logic in companies recreating those cars lost forever, like the Auto Unions and Von Trips’ ‘Sharknose’ *******, there’s no justification to create a facsimile of the real deal, especially when these cars are still regularly shown.” Bock continued by citing trademark issues, “However, as well as the creators of this vehicle copying our parts and designs, the use of the Mercedes-Benz name and logo is in clear contravention of our trademark rights and we will look seriously at this.”

Mr. Bock closes with, “We support – at any time – all collectors of original Mercedes-Benz cars with all the passion, experience and knowledge we have but we have no understanding (tolerance? ed.) for facsimiles of the real deal.” Strong if slightly veiled words. We have a feeling none of Wheatcroft’s W125s will see German soil anytime soon. This fascinating saga centering around the passion for and protection of two of Mercedes-Benz’ most enduring and cherished sporting creations is certainly going to evolve. I feel there will be more confrontations ahead.

Advertisement

Kevin Wheatcroft lives the dream of any pre-war Grand Prix nut - power sliding a virtual duplicate of one of the awesome Silver Arrows of the latter '30s Grand Prix era. Why the grainy image? Mysteriously, there is not one image of a Wheatcroft W125 sitting on the web, not even on the websites of the vendors who created it. Hence we use an Octane magazine scan. It's puzzling and quite likely the result of Mercedes-Benz taking a keen interest in projects "in clear contravention of our trademark rights."

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