1993 Ostermeier 300SLS Roadster

As the back drop to Ostermeier’s Gullwing Car Inc 300SL builds, authentic factory built Mercedes-Benz production 300SLs (1954 – 1963) are widely regarded as benchmark collectible classics which retain a position in the marketplace that seems to hit new value plateaus with each passing year. Today, original 300SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupes and Roadster project cars even hover in the $1m+ value range while concours quality restorations easily push $750,000+. Upper echelon concours quality examples, both preservation and restored varieties, regularly breach into the stratospheric $2m+ range of value with multiple top quality cars exceeding even $3m. Few would argue that the Mercedes-Benz 300SL is anything but one of the most deservedly famous classic car models of all-time across all marques.

As an homage to original 300SL’s, Tony Ostermeier went to great lengths in the production of his now widely desired 300SL re-creations using only the very best components and the highest quality materials available. Instructive towards understanding the sheer quality of Ostermeier 300SL builds, it is well known that many of his contemporaries at the time he was producing these cars (Scott Grundfor included) found it difficult to understand how he was able to possibly turn a profit given the lengths gone to in turning these cars out. Precise designed and thoroughly executed, Ostermeier 300SL coupe and roadster models are comprised of a welded square-tube chassis specifically crafted to support exactingly built alloy composite bodies that were constructed based on painstaking analysis of original 300SL Gullwings and Roadsters that Ostermeier himself owned.

As a brief note on the rarity of these cars, it is believed by many that Ostermeier only built about 50 or so of the coupe variety and far less examples of the Roadster model; with the vast majority of cars having been fitted with automatic transmissions. Once Ostermeier’s designs were completed and fully refined thereafter, the build process per car still exceeded 400 hours from start to finish as a further note of emphasis towards the amount of detail included in each example Gullwing Car Inc produced. Much like a Lynx D-Type Jaguar or Glenn Pray Auburn, the cars built by Tony Ostermeier are highly desirable as the gold standard of 300SL re-creation and are considered by collectors today as genuine, low production classic cars in their own right.

The aluminum composite bodies produced by Ostermeier’s Gullwing Car outfit are unique in their precision and were built using an aircraft-industry-derived material called GLARE which bonds traditional fiberglass to a thin outer layer of aluminum. This aluminum composite material, which forms the structure of the bodies found on Ostermeier 300SL re-creations, ensures precision fits and yields a superior result on the outer surface that leads to a far more consistent and long lasting paint finish when compared to that of fiberglass. This advanced body making process was utilized in concert with the precise measurements taken from original factory bucks and the aforementioned original 300SL’s that Ostermeier himself had access to, leading to the nearly indistinguishable from original appearance of the cars.

Not to belabor the point but instead as a note of further necessary emphasis with respect to the quality of the Ostermeier-built 300SL bodies, it is well understood that many of the trim parts and instruments featured in these special builds as well as other accents are in fact so accurate that owners of original Mercedes-Benz factory 300SL cars, notably owners within the Gullwing Group, began using Ostermeier parts on restoration projects. It is even true that today’s 300SL experts are, when not alerted to the reality of Ostermeier cars in advance, can find it difficult in many ways to distinguish the difference at a distance between an Ostermeier built 300SL and a period built Mercedes-Benz factory example of the W198 300SL.

After perfecting an outstanding exterior package of exacting bodywork and trim that mirrored original cars, Tony Ostermeier turned his attention to the integration of the all-important drive train so as to fully realize his dream of producing a car that would continue the legacy of legendary Mercedes-Benz factory original quality as conceived and embodied within original 300SL production cars. Using contemporary Mercedes-Benz W124 model production car mechanics, Ostermeier had his upgraded, bulletproof driving experience which now featured sublimely mimicked classic 300SL looks paired to modern driving mechanics and creature comfort amenities.

In keeping true to classic form while also focusing on an evolution through incorporation of modern driving mechanics, Ostermeier most often chose for his re-creations to install the inline 6 cylinder 3 liter M103 engine given its well-known robustness and reputation as a rock solid, low maintenance Mercedes-Benz power-plant. In the case of the Roadster example offered here, Ostermeier paired the M103 engine to a rarely seen 5-speed manual transmission as a complete drive train from a production M124 Mercedes-Benz model for superior reliability and sporting performance. Modern ABS braking with discs at all four corners are present while comfort amenities such as air conditioning and modern stereo (upgraded with Bluetooth) equipment are now seamlessly integrated into the overall design of the custom interior.

Under the care of its most recent owner, German-based 300SL experts based out of Stuttgart meticulously implemented upgrades to the car at great expense, particularly with respect to the interior in the form of a meticulously implemented tribute design based on the legendary 1957 300SL factory built race cars of Paul O’Shea SCCA championship winning fame. The upgrades performed help position this particular Ostermeier Roadster example as a truly one-of-a-kind collectible car with incredible touring potential. The interior work performed, complete with custom fabricated polished aluminum accented low-windscreen and featuring saddle brown leather with black carpets, was painstakingly integrated focusing on both supreme quality and detail oriented authenticity. Also included in the interior upgrade process was installation of modern Bluetooth stereo sound advancements while safety additions in the form of custom shoulder and laps belts were installed securely and correctly to the chassis.

All of the interior components originally included in the 1993 build by delivered new to Tokyo, Japan by Gullwing Car Inc were carefully removed and retained during the O’Shea SLS interior makeover and are today included with this offering complete with bumpers as well as the original windshield and wheels. While not the case with all Ostermeier built 300SL re-creations, this special example features an original 300SL Roadster grill in the front and also authentic exterior and interior Mercedes-Benz badges throughout while boasting a rare original set of Bosch European headlights which alone carry a value in the range $25,000 as a desirable accessory for original 300SL Roadsters. Modern black Mercedes-Benz wheels have been installed on the car with low-profile tires affixed and a black with orange accented racing stripe decal sticker has been added for further flair; a removable option upon request.

In early 2025, this rare Ostermeier Roadster was re-imported into the US after having been originally delivered to Tokyo, Japan and later living life abroad in Europe. Today this special tourer shows original low mileage of 9,321 km’s and is in an excellent condition throughout having been recently fully sorted and serviced by Scott Grundfor Company for regular use on tours or for daily use. This Roadster comes with its original Ostermeier Certificate Of Origin document noting all original delivery specifications as well as all original Ostermeier interior components including windshield and bumpers. As one of only a handful of Gullwing Car Inc Roadsters hand built by Tony Ostermeier, and with a painstakingly crafted one of a kind interior, this superior touring machine features excellence at every turn and is uncompromising in its blend of classic looks with modern mechanics.