1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198) "Gullwing" (0.6)

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198) is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking sports cars of its era, and a lasting icon of automotive history. Born from the DNA of the W194 racing prototype, made by the great mind of Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the production 300 SL introduced several firsts to the world, like its Bosch direct fuel injection system, which helped its 3.0-liter inline-six engine produce an impressive 215 horsepower (compared to the 195hp W194) in the early days of its production, up to over 240 in its final state thanks to the high-lift camshafts installed directly from the racing counterpart.

Built on a lightweight tubular spaceframe chassis, the car weighed around 1,295 kg and achieved a top speed of up to almost 260 km/h, depending on final drive ratios. Its suspension setup with double wishbones at the front and swing axles at the rear offered incredibly sharp dynamics by the standards of the time, albeit with some handling quirks when pushed to the limit...although we all know it's the gullwing doors, a dramatic design feature born out of necessity due to the high sills of the spaceframe, that most likely cemented its name in history.

Critics at the time hailed it as a technological marvel, bridging the gap between motorsport and the road, and today, the 300 SL is often seen as the definitive classic sports car, and a symbol of Mercedes-Benz’s post-WW2 rebirth. Recreating this masterpiece means more than just replicating numbers. It’s about honoring a machine that reshaped what a road car could be.

-Niney