Two Mercedes 300SL Coupes Where Something Went Very Wrong

Filed in archive As We See Things , Design , German Cars , Mercedes on November 13, 2009

Is this 300SL the real thing or is it the product of some very skillful computer imaging? If someone did actually cut and section such a valuable car for the purpose of adding a back seat we have to admire the execution, though not the concept. Knowing how difficult it is to get into the front seats of a 300SL, due to the high sills (only possible because the steering wheel tilts forward), clambering into the back must require some strange contortions. Lowered somewhat and wearing handsome contemporary wheels, the 4-door 300SL is not unattractive though the longer wheelbase must certainly reduce cornering speeds.



It was my good friend in Tokyo, Harley Ferguson, who sent me the image in an e-mail wherein he was asking my opinion of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a contemporary take on the original Gullwing coupe. Well, Harley, I like the first 2/3rd but not the rest. It's as if one designer did the front, another the rear (in the good old Detroit studio styling mode of the 50s and 60s). That truncated, vertical tail end is totally out of sync, spoiling what could have been a beautiful sports car. As a future collector its appeal may be somewhat limited. I'd be much happier with an original 2-seat 300SL coupe, even happier with a roadster. Autoblog has more photos and a brief test drive.