A mechanic wrecked a classic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé during a test drive in Germany, Der Spiegel reports.
The elite sports car, one of only 1400, was “completely destroyed” with estimated damages of more than $830,000.
The 26-year-old and his 19-year-old apprentice from Mechatronics — a high-profile Mercedes workshop — were unharmed after their joyride north of Stuttgart went sour.
Police said the speed limit of about 55 mph “was not observed, obviously,” and the two seat car with 4-speed manual transmission went off the side of the road and rolled over.
The 300 SL was unveiled in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York and was voted “Sports car of the Century” in 1999. The distinctive gull wing version was only available from March 1955 to 1957.
The car is best known for being the first to inject fuel directly into the cylinders, making it the world’s fastest production car of its time.
Der Spiegel notes that the owner of the 300 SL “took it calmly but loudly” when informed. Both the car and the garage are insured against such cases, and GTspirit notes that the vehicle has a chance to be restored.
Yeah, but usually it’s some guy’s dime a dozen Mustang or Vette, not a near irreplaceable 300 SL Gullwing. Insurance can’t just cut a check and pick up another one of these on autotrader.com.
Totally understand that…I think rowan Atkinson totalled one of his sports cars that was irreplaceable and his insurance covered the over a million pound repair bill to essentially rebuild the car from scratch
Honestly, it looks like the owner isn’t too upset because he and the garage are insured against things like this and will probably get a hefty settlement in return. He could probably buy a more expensive car with the amount of money he will get after his total loss.
When you own a car like this, how much it’s worth is negligible. It’s the rarity and prestige. I guarantee you the owner couldn’t give a shit about money. However, his pristine MB is now a salvage.
If he owns this car, he probably owns more cars. I’m willing to bet this isn’t his only car and wasn’t his pride and joy. That leads me to believe he wasn’t as attached to it as many may think. I could be wrong, but based on his reaction, he didn’t really seem too upset.
Idunno, I think you’re wrong. Why do people always assume that rich people are infintely rich? Just because he owns one badass vintage car doesn’t automatically mean he has some stockpile of badass vintage cars. He’s obviously wealthy, but who knows, maybe he spent his life savings on that one car and it was his one and only pride and joy. You really don’t know.
Fact of the matter is that car is a one of a kind, and irreplacable for the most part. The guy who wrecked it can go to hell.
