A Gullwing Cars 300SL Roadster replica, heavily modified to resemble Paul O’Shea’s championship-winning 300SLS, has sold for $361,000. The car, originally built in 1993 by Tony Ostermeier’s Gullwing Cars of Gardena, California, is among the most detailed recreations produced by the shop, known for crafting fiberglass and aluminum-bodied tributes using patterns derived from original Mercedes-Benz sources.
Delivered new to Sakuma International in Tokyo, the replica spent years abroad before being returned to the United States in 2024. Shortly after, it underwent a series of extensive modifications aimed at capturing the look and spirit of the competition-spec 300SLS. The work involved removing the windshield, convertible top frame, side glass and bumpers. In their place, the builders installed a shortened windscreen, cowl-mounted air intake and period-style driving lamps. Additional exterior features include European headlights, a Talbot mirror, pivot-out door handles, fender louvers and wheel-arch “eyebrows.”
The body is finished in white, constructed from fiberglass and aluminum laminate and mounted over a welded square-tube steel chassis. Black 17-inch steel wheels fitted with Yokohama Advan tires complement the lowered stance, aided by Koni shocks and revised springs. Mercedes-Benz–sourced independent suspension components, power steering and anti-lock disc brakes help bring the driving experience closer to a modern standard while preserving the classic silhouette.
Inside, the refreshed cabin features fixed-back bucket seats with body-color shells, saddle leather trim and diamond-stitched upholstery extending across the dashboard and interior panels. The build also integrates a Nardi steering wheel, VDO instruments and a Caliber head unit with Bluetooth. Updated door panels and Schroth multi-point harnesses complete the motorsport-inspired layout.
Power comes from a fuel-injected 3.0-liter Mercedes-Benz M103 inline-six paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Recent maintenance in 2025 included new fuel pumps, a fresh filter and an oil service. The odometer shows roughly 10,000 kilometers, with a small portion added by the selling dealer.
The car was sold with a selection of original parts removed during the SLS-style conversion, including the windshield, top frame, seats and bumpers, along with four spare wheels and a Gullwing Cars Certificate of Origin. Its Montana title classifies it as a replica, consistent with its construction history.
Ostermeier’s replicas have developed a following for their craftsmanship and use of Mercedes mechanical components, and this example’s competition-inspired transformation contributed to its strong sale figure in late 2025.
Via Bring a Trailer
