NPoCP: AMG V8 converted 300 SL Gullwing Coupe.

"Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs) 04/06/2014 at 05:56 • Filed to: NPoCP, Mercedes, 300 SL, AMG, V8, RM Acutions

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If you always wanted to have one of the world's most recognizable cars but couldn't stand that ancient 1950s engine and transmission, then you should feel very lucky: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that was equipped in house by AMG special vehicles with the firepower of a R129 Mercedes SL 60 AMG.

It is incredible how far money will get you in life. It sometimes will even make the most famous car makers reconsider their model offerings and build you exactly what you ask for. The probably best example for that is the whole royal family of Brunei. If you can get Ferrari to build you a 4 door Sedan, you are likely to get every other dream car built, no matter how insane it might seem.

That's exactly what happened here. Mind you, the AMG engineers never were known to be some of the calm, relaxed and sane minded people. 1200NM engines that break gearboxes? Hell yeah. 6.2L V8 in a C-Class when the competition runs a 4.2 liter? Sure thing.So one day the Sultan of Brunei showed up in Affalterbach and pitched them an idea: why don't we take the iconic 300 SL but throw out the six cylinder and replace it with the modern SL powertrain – a six liter V8 that makes a healthy 380 horsepower and 480NM of torque, mated to an 4 speed automatic transmission (No manual bonus points)? And while we are at it – a new rear axle (a R129 piece too) with Bilstein components and modern brakes all around would be of help to make the old Merc somewhat driveable when it tops out at electronically limited 250 kp/h.

After all the mechanical modifications were thought of, AMG went on to work on the rest of the car. You know, just to match the modern firepower. New Recaro seats were custom made and installed, along with a new upholstery for the cabin. The mighty SL now also features a modern A/C unit and a powerful audio system that has a 6 CD selector or, if that is too 2004 for you, iPod connectivity.While all of the above has been more or less tastefully integrated into the car's cabin, there is the elephant in the room that everyone will notice first: the bloody 90s SL steering wheel. What the heck. It is neither old enough to look like the factory option, nor is it a modern piece that doesn't look completely out of place if reupholstered with the right leather. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Also completely out of place: the wheels. Understandably, the AMG engineers didn't want to compromise the car's new suspension setup with old tires/rims, and therefore threw a modern sized combination on the car. But still, my brain itches when I see the modern five spoke alloys against the classic body.

The question of the questions I ask you is this: Nice Price or Crack Pipe? RM Auctions estimates a sum between 740 and 940 thousand euros if you want to add it to your stable. With stock 300SL prices close to the 1.5 million mark, it seems reasonably priced, considering that it is in excellent condition (500km driven since the AMG conversion) and that it's super rare. Eleven cars were transformed, of which 5 went to Brunei and consequently are not to be seen again, ever. That leaves this particular vehicle as one of 6 non-Brunei cars.

What is the Oppo Opinion on this one? Super cool or a terrible case of blasphemy? I myself would totally rock it with a different steering wheel.

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Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 06:06

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No, no, no, no, no, just NO.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa 04/06/2014 at 06:11

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What is your biggest problem with the car? The idea of a modified 300SL in general or the way it has been done, including the in-your-face rims and steering wheel?

ToyDeathbot > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 06:16

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It's a downgrade from the main reason why it's a classic (excluding the body of course!)

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 06:21

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The general idea that somebody would do something like this, however much money are trown. And to think that AMG did this and Mercedes didn't stop them makes it even more worrying. You give the example with Ferrari, but I am sure that they will not allow of doing something like that, with lets say a Ferrari 250GTO.

I think it is absolutely wrong. The additional tastelessness with the rims and wheel is just the cherry on top of the awful.

Eutropius > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 06:24

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It's pretty ironic that Mechatronik refits have a much cleaner, more 'factory' look than cars updated by the actual factory.

Different vintage of SL because the street gullwings went from 'pretty cool' to 'unfuckwithable priceless classic' in the years between AMG krauting out eleven of the poor things and today, but you get the picture.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa 04/06/2014 at 06:38

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U mad bruh

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 06:39

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>see poll results

>75% voted crack pipe

SMDH.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/06/2014 at 06:40

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SMDH?

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 06:41

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"Shaking My Damn Head".

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Eutropius 04/06/2014 at 06:42

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The difference is that Mechatronic tries to hide the modern stuff. Really cool, but totally different, and I bet AMG could have achieved the same look. In this case, I would take a Mechatronic SL over the AMG though - do you know if they also make W108 sedans?

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa 04/06/2014 at 06:45

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Well, if I were Mercedes, I would rather have such a conversion done by AMG and earn some cash with it then give it to a third party - if Brunei wants something, they will get it.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/06/2014 at 06:45

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The poll changed - 72% Nice price as of now!

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 06:46

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Edit: 80%! There is some good in the world!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Eutropius 04/06/2014 at 07:40

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Oh lordy, that Nardi steering wheel...

I love you but I've chosen hooning! > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 07:44

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Sn210 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 07:45

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I feel like if the Sultan of Brunei wasn't involved, these would be CP. mixed feelings

m2m, apex detective > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 08:38

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I don't hate this at all, but it's also less attractive than I first thought.

There are a few things that would bug me, starting with the performance of that engine. I'd rather have gone for the E55 Kompressor, since it would strike me as a much better pick in terms of performance vs engine weight.

The interior is also a bit weird with touches that seem too modern to be fitting; it can't be hard to make a bespoke steering wheel (plus airbag pot) and shifter that don't unnecessarily ruin the vintage glory this car oozes so much of.

Finally there are the wheels, which just look awfully wrong to me. They could have put anything old Mercedes instead of the original wheel there, but the SLK/C-Class wheels are downright terrible in my opinion. Even these would be better.

wacopalypsenow > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 08:39

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MFW I have those same rims as spares for my '99 E430. They are spares for a reason.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 08:41

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I actually love the idea behind it, but the execution is just terrible. Those wheels make it look so damn cheap. And the interior is awful. I really like what Mechatronic or Icon do to old cars, but not this. Crack pipe.

coqui70 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 10:56

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If you're going to go ahead with this you need to spend the money to engineer a steering wheel and interior that retains the original charm (checkered/tartan seats anyone?), and for the love of mercy make a set of alloys that retain the original look while being able to fit wider rubber! I would have gone the rodder route with the engine and would have fitted a period correct supercharger on the original unit - or would have sourced a racing engine/replica from the approximate period.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 11:58

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These rims, in Silver

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 04/06/2014 at 14:56

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That could work, although I would prefer the whole car in black with those rims:

Alex87f > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/06/2014 at 15:14

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HOLY HELL!!! How come I never heard about those???

I'm a stock enthusiast, but I can't help seeing my mouse go towards "NP"... I really like the idea of a super-clean conversion, I just wish they'd used a new body rather than an existing car..

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Alex87f 04/06/2014 at 15:29

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They are super secret cars. While RM auctions says that Mercedes didn't give out any info on the project, it isn't true. Auto Motor and Sport even testdrove the thing waaaaay back when it was finished. I read the report as a kid and was hooked ever since. Seeing it come up for auction makes me weep for a spare million bucks that I can spend on it.

infl8abletoast > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/07/2014 at 02:32

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Oh god, no.

ElectraDyne > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/10/2014 at 22:34

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"It is incredible how far money will get you in live."

It is incredible how far proofreading will get you in life.

JasonStern911 > Sn210 04/11/2014 at 00:38

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quite the contrary. if AMG wasn't involved, this would be a ridiculous crackpipe. but if a subsidiary of the manufacturer did the swap, I could see the value being retained. I mean, if Porsche themselves did a 3.6L swap from a 993 into a 914-6, it would likely add value to the car as opposed to any tuner shop making the car non-original.

TavshedFjols > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/11/2014 at 00:40

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This ruins it for me. You need that great old Mercedes interior.

angry-engineer > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/11/2014 at 02:32

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sacrilege out all the way down to the silly transmission tunnel modifications and that hideous r129 steering wheel.

If they could do it without making the interior and exterior appear different that'd be more acceptable.

Anyway whilst the old 300sl direct injection engine was awesome, I know from personal experience that it is a bitch to keep on the road.

This car has been ruined.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > ElectraDyne 04/11/2014 at 03:40

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Fair enough.

I actually did proofread it, but it slipped through.

Sn210 > JasonStern911 04/11/2014 at 06:52

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That's true too. The fact that this was a factory conversion certainly adds value. If this were done by West Coast Customs, I think they'd have a much harder time breaking even.

F50F60 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/11/2014 at 10:49

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That's just a kick in the balls...What the HELL??!!

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/11/2014 at 15:30

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MY EYEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!! Uhlenhaut would probably approve, honestly. But not of those wheels; whyyyy.....

RS Hole, I forgot my password for 8 months > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/11/2014 at 16:17

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Crack

ImOld > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 04/12/2014 at 19:48

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Beautiful, and with the power to make it move and handle like those gorgeous lines should. And the steering wheel is relatively easy to fix (with about $2000 or so, that is). You would also need to install some kind of anti-dragoning device, of course.

Vizillar2505 > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa 05/14/2015 at 03:20

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you do realise this kind of project was the very thing that brought AMG to life in the first place?