Spied on 95: Mercedes 300SL Gullwing

by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img ADLX ::: Mercedes-Benz W198 Gullwing

WIKIPEDIA tells me (and it must be true, surely) that between 1955-1963, Mercedes-Benz produced 1,400 (W198 gen.) 300SL coupés otherwise known as the famous “Gullwings”.

Or infamous – if you were caught off guard by the playful rear swing axle only to catch the wrong corner, flip and then land on the roof such that the doors couldn’t open. But I digress – we’re talking automotive legend which invariably requires expert prowess when driven fast.

So, in so much that I wasn’t A) visiting the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine but B) driving on a fairly tame strip of I-95 along the Connecticut coastline, the chances of spying a 300SL on the road (even if on flatbed) in strictly mathematical terms are about as likely as my winning the Powerball.

Well, my lucky numbers just may be in the next draw because yours did in fact spy this remarkable Gullwing specimen enroute from Massachusetts to who-knows-where but my-oh-my did this beauty shine.

Amazing how some (extraordinary) cars can do nothing at all to garner our lust except pose as immaculate rolling sculpture from atop a lofty perch (otherwise known as tow truck).