First things first: our overall design philosophy is to create a world-class replica (or re-creation if you prefer), not an accurate reproduction. We are keeping the timeless style of this car while updating the performance, reliability and comfort of this car. The car will look like the original from the outside and also from the passenger compartment (with some exceptions).

Now onto your specific questions:

Glass: all windows will be glass in the same shape as the original. The vent windows will be functional and the side glass will be removable. Air conditioning will be standard equipment for days when the fresh air is not enough.

Exhaust: Single exhaust is standard, dual exhaust will be available as an option.

Heating, ventilation and A/C: the cowl duct will be functional as a source of air for HVAC. The rear roof vents will appear to be open but sealed with plexiglass.

We are well aware of the companies that have failed and that is why we have taken our time to get it right. Our progress will be evident in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned. Thanks again for you patience and interest.

- Matt

John

I heard that Tony Ostermeier passed away.
My thoughts are with his family, and everyone who knew him.
Thank you for the woderful 300 SL GW/Roadster replica.

Bye James.

I´ll tell you a bit of myself, nowadays i own my family business in chile, south-america.
We´ve been making plastic toys for 40 years or so and i´m the third generation in the business, i have a complete factory with all processes to mould up plastic goods, also have the machines to make such moulds. for instance, i make the traffic lights of the streets of many cities in my country. In past years we´ve exporting to europe, the states and our goods sold well at toys´r´us many years.

Well, i´m telling this because i want to picture the technical skills of my company.
In this months i´ve decided to make a Gullwing Replica and therefore have seen and gathered all the info i can, of course my country is tiny but there is a huge amount of mercedes since the 50´s no gullwings thou. 2 of them were purchased recently by mercedes benz historical dealers in chile.
In my country you can find all the mechanic parts and overhaul them perfectly with reasonable expense, also due to the moulds workshop i can make a lot of metalic parts with accuracy, quality and rather unexpensively. The hand labour is quite skillfull and materials such as leather and fine woods are unexpensive.
In conclusion there are many things that makes this task possible, unfortunately the info to make this car is rather poor. The labour involved in making the gullwing is the same in order to make a perfect replica ro to make some modern recreation out of specs. Of course i want to make the nearest possible replica of this dream.
I´m asking for help because all details, from mask to steering wheel (complete), from door latches to handles, from leather interior to tubular frame are things that i can and will do. And perhaps there is a possible partner out there waiting to share or exchange knowledge for finished parts.
Carry on with this art!!

Enzo A. Betinyani Molina
General Manager
Comercializadora Idea Ltda
Santiago
Chile

quote:

---

anybody interested in some pics of the car let me know. i can't figgure out how to get a pic on this page, driving me nuts! the body is in the final stages, and is almost ready for making new molds. i also have pics of the tubular frame. frame is derived from blueprints of actual gullwing frame
frame is designed to adapt any motor/trans combo, and front and rear suspension of your choice. and i know what the next question is, what about hardware????????? door hinges ,trunk hinge, hood hinge ,glass??? well, yes i have it all, no bull! no smoke and mirrors here. i'm going to sell a kit that will fit together and all parts will be available. and i will try to be ready for carlile kit car show next month. if there is any questions please e-mail me. i will be more than happy to answer any questions. or even if you want to come on down to check me out if you think i'm B.S., i will be even more happy to show you in person! thanks, Big Al

---

Nice work - thanks for posting the photos.

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.

Amongst the stock that was purchased are a number of part complete cars and body / chassis units. There is one Gullwing [ LHD ] and several Roadsters in LHD and RHD.

Initially ALL cars will be fitted with the latest Mercedes 300 / 320 motor /trans packages and will be built to current EU emmission and safety specs. Future plans call for optional Mercedes V8 power.

There are currently two demonstrator cars available for test drive - a RH drive Roadster and a LHD Gullwing.

Items that seem to be causing grief amongst would be replicators, glass, seals, and detail parts are obviously not so much of a cost problem in Germany, although the company will be manufacturing all of the essential parts in house or through their current suppliers.
Primarily the car is aimed at the EU / UK market as they will ONLY be available as a high quality turnkey car - expect ex-works price to be in the region of 120K euros + taxes.
The company has done a deal with a respected supplier of repro and NOS parts to supply them with items - so good is the quality / authenticity of the parts.
The company will welcome visitors for a test drive session at their showrooms/works in Saxony.

However, if that is not convenient, the cars will be in the UK later in the year.

I will be happy to field any queries initially - their English is pretty good, but being UK born - mine is better!

ATB

Manfred

I have spoken with the current owners of the ex - Ostermeier project and I have been authorised to provide you with up to date information regarding the current status of the project and the manufacturing schedule. This information will be posted within the next 4-5 days.

However, I can at this stage divulge that 13 containers of parts, tooling, part completed cars, completed bodies and chassis, alloy/epoxy hybrid spray plant [ to produce the alloy skinned bodies ] have been unloaded at the impressive premises of FMS Heyda [ Germany ], and are currently undergoing a thorough check up prior to installing the prduction lines.

Although the company have legal title to the Hooper name, they feel that they have sufficient credibility in their own right and will drop any direct association with it.

The company is keen to hear from any current owners of the Gullwing cars and are in the process of forming a register. Incidentally, for the avoidance of future doubt - "Gullwing" is a registered company and marque name. They are also interested to hear from any previous agents or distributors that may have been in operation in the USA.

The thorny problem of whether or not to supply specialty parts to other end users is currently being discussed.

If someone can tip me the nod about posting pictures - I will do my best!

That's about it for now, I will post a fuller update in the next several days

ATB

Manfred

Yes I am the spokesperson - or to put it more correctly the Agent for English speaking markets.

As to "sprekin se english" [ actually that's not German OR English - ahh - must be American ] - really, that kind of taunting went out with the Red Necks and their pick ups - didn't it? Actually Krazyone - judging by your own efforts in grammar and spelling, virtually ALL of the staff in Saxony could give you an English lesson.
But that wasn't why I posted in the first place.

It was more of a courtesy posting to let people know the whereabouts and status of the original Gullwing project - since the question [ and rumours ] had been aired in open forum. Either those enquiries were - genuine, sarcastic, or a means of "ghosting up" interest in new projects. As I am not known as cynical person - I'll assume that they were genuine and as such demand a sensible and genuine response.

The other point of your post seems to be disbelief that anyone other than yourself is capable of creating / running such a project. Bad move my friend, because while you're getting your knickers in a twist over a product being made 3-5000 miles away - we are busy quietly preparing the cars. Also it's a very bad move to disparage a company that you know nothing of. Mohr has been in the auto business for 25 years and produces VERY high quality Cobras, Porsche T6 Roadsters and is just putting the finishing touches to their 550 Spyder and 904. Just as a matter of interest, the pictures that were shown of the semi prepared cars were taken in what - a barn?

Should you, or anyone of the same persuasion wish to - the factory and showrooms are permanently open to visitors and upon making an appointment you can DRIVE the Roadster demonstrator car[ RHD ] and the Gullwing [ LHD]. That's in REAL time right now. Whilst I realise that it's not exactly round the corner, should you find yourself in the UK, Mohr will provide you with a RyanAir return flight ticket [ London Stansted - to Saxony ] where you will be collected from the airport and driven to the works. That also goes for any potential US customers.

Of course there is more work entailed in importing cars to the USA, and to be honest - that is not our prime market. But as ALL of Mohr's products have to comply to VERY strict TUV EU approvals, I don't anticipate that the US market would be a problem.

The demonstrator cars are complete in every aspect and everything is correct and either made from the tooling and jigs that came with the project [ 13 containers ] or is being manufactured in Mohr's own facilities. They have their own GRP and steel fabrication plants, and have just installed state of the art spray and powder coating facilities. Apart from 2 complete demonstrators, there are 2 x RHD semi built cars, 5 LHD bodies and chassis'[ Roadsters] and 1 x LHD Gullwing. All are produced in the Aluminum/Epoxy Hybrid method - which again has been shipped to Saxony and is being installed in the next 6 weeks. Additionally there is sufficient stock - dashboards, bumpers [ steel chromed ], instruments, glass, etc.,etc. to make 12 cars right off the bat.

Apart from the logistical aspect of shipping, unpacking and sorting through 13 container's worth of project, there are certain aspects that require attention for the EU market. ALL items such as glass are either available in Germany at reasonable prices or will be made by Mohr's manufacturers [ including glass ] - and will be even more reasonable. Along with the other items that are being manufactured or retooled- all of the essential parts to complete the cars to a very high standard are readilly available. But then Krazyone, as you have no belief that Mohr has such a project or could remain in business for 3 years [ added to the 25 they have already been in business ]- I guess YOU won't want to be taking advantage of inexpensive quality repro items for your own project?

If someone is willing to either show me how - or alternatively post pictures via proxy, I will be MORE than happy to send the "proof" that you require - whether it's the 3000 sq.ft fully tiled, glass and stainless steel showroom, the 4,000 sq. ft of fully tiled, fully equiped workshops, new spray shop, etc.,etc.- Or the line up of 5 Roadster body / chassis units. Or the cars under future development with Mercedes V8 running gear. Just say the word Krazyone - how much proof would you like? Nevertheless - the sincere offer is there - if you would like to go and visit the workshops / showrooms just let me know and I'LL arrange it for you.

Finally, just so you have some idea of who I am - I've been in the specialty auto industry for 40 years and have been responsible for many designs and have indeed manufactured my own cars. I liaised with Carroll Shelby and RAM Automotive for 3 years whilst they were setting up the "Shelby Approval" of their RAM Cobra replica. In addition to Design / Marketing Consultancy for Mohr, I am currently retained in the same role for Realm Engineering's [ RAM ] Jaguar line of replicas - "C", "D" and XKSS. Please don't tell me you don't believe THEY exist.

ATB and "have a nice day"
Manfred
BTW - good luck with your own project.

And there was me thinking that you were perhaps a professional car designer / manufacturer.

Not sure what your customers expect in the USA, but here in Europe, our customers expect us manufacturers to act with a degree of decorum and professionalism.

However, for all your love of getting people "all worked up" - [ and personally your rantings don't concern me at all ]- you still have not commented on the core offer that was made specifically to you to view our project AND completed cars, either in the flesh [ "solid proof"] or in photos.

Oh yes, just to finalise a reply to your last posting - the answer about how many cars we need to sell to break even - it's six [ given that we're already in business]. And as for "somebody backing us", that's not necessary as I've already stated. We have been in the specialty auto business for 25 years and are completely self funding - even for such a huge undertaking as the Gullwing project.

However, as I previously stated - our core market is Europe and the UK - we have NO intention of actively promoting to the US market.
Reading the posts, it appears that your intention is to sell 4-6 quality turnkey cars a year - and the other guys a similar amount. Surely that's a drop in the Ocean when you consider the potential clientele in the USA - just on the numbers game alone? We are geared up to manufacture 10 of each model per year - and they will ONLY be turnkey [ no kit cars ]. So again, I wish you and the other potential manufacturers all the best in your efforts to produce what you consider to be the "Ultimate" replica, as it's completely illogical to think that even with 3 manufacturers the whole of the USA could be supplied.

BTW - look out for reports on the upcoming "Goodwood Revival" where Sir Stirling Moss will be able to drive our replicas - assuming he is well enough.

There you go Krazyone - see it is possible to communicate with people without having to resort to winding them up or disparaging a company you know nothing about.

Perhaps YOU'D like to let me know how to post pictures to the site?

ATB
Manfred

Enzo, making bucks out of wood - are you crazy man - or a masochist? Just do what everyone else does in this industry - buy a body and splash it!

One item that we are in the process of sourcing for manufacture is the original tilt steering wheel - now WE'D be interested in an exchange intertrade deal if you come up with a quality piece at a good price. We can buy NOS here in Germany, but they're not cheap.

Maybe we could then help you with things like glass and such?

ATB
manfred

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