Classic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Gets a Totally Unusual Makeover From Mechanic

Giancarlo Perlas March 29, 2013

Before

A very rare classic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe gets a total makeover after a Mechatronics mechanic and his teen apprentice takes it for a joyride in the highway according to Der Spiegel.

Well, the makeover I mean does not involve enhancing the car in any way. Apparently, their idea of a makeover was going above the speed limit and then rolling the car on the side of the road to achieve a totally dented armor, broken glass and scattered parts.

German police reports confirmed that the driver did not observe the prescribed speed limit of 55mph. As a result, it careered out of control and hit the side of the road which made it tumble. Fortunately, the driver and the passenger were okay especially the mechanic genius who was behind the steering wheel.

If you ask me, my theory about the incident is that the mechanic simply forgot his job description, which is repairing cars not wrecking them.

The mechanic is a 26-year old man and his apprentice is aged 19. They are working for a high profile Mercedes workshop called Mechatronics in Germany (which is about to undergo a downgrade in reputation due to the event).

The estimated damage of the classic Gullwing amounts to more than $830,000. And when the owner was informed about the incident, the person was just cool about it because it is covered by insurance anyway. The GT spirit website says that the auto has a chance to be restored.

The elite sports car is reportedly one of the only 1400 units of the model. It made its debut in 1954 in the New York’s International Motor Show. The Gullwing version was only produced from 1955 to 1957.

The car has enjoyed the spotlight over the years because it made its mark on films and various shows. To top it all off, it was voted as the “Sports Car of the Century” in 1999.