New and old Gullwings side by side


J

jaxgt

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Jul 12, 2006
2,816
I know some folks here seem to like the new Gullwing SLS. I do.
Saw an original 1950's model side by side with the new incarnation at the Amelia Island Concours 2 weeks ago. I snapped these. It's a nice chance to compare the exterior styling.

I also had the chance to sit in the car. At 6'5", I actually could fit in reasonably well. I think someone 6'2 and under would have lots of room.
 

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Okay, I have to admit. The more you see pics of the SLS the more impressive it gets. It must be surreal in person. :cheers
 
I gotta agree with Sky, that thing gets better looking every time I see it....... And that video of the Mulholland Loop with Jay Leno, and then the video of the tunnel loop with Schumi, man, it just gets WAY BETTER LOOKING every time I see it.

It's great seeing the two of them side by side here. Kinda like seeing the original GT40 with our cars. Great pics. Thanks for sharing. And fueling my fires for the SLS, yet again. :thumbsup
 
I think the original Mercedes is far more elegant - I hadn't seen them side by side before.

But I do like the new SLS very much!
 
It's still fantastic for a 55+ year old design.
 
The original Gullwing in my mind is one of the few timeless car designs, much like the original 1960's GT40.

The newer SLS has a more aggressive, less elegant stance. I think the front and side views are quite nice. I think they truncated the rear arse a bit too much and would have preferred it a bit more elongated. Nonetheless, I would certainly like to have one for some play time. Looks like Gordo is the only one who actually got a deposit on one. My local dealer wouldn't even take a deposit as he said in good faith he thought it very unlikely he could ever deliver one to me. Will have to see what Shelby comes across in a year or so when some hit the secondary market and the initial buzz wears away.
 
I think they look so different, that I almost place them in two different classes mentally.

But I like them both. Given a choice, I'd probably pick the classic vintage.

I thought I'd share a few of my pics to add to the analysis or appreciation, rather.

SLS.jpg


SLS2.jpg


SLS3.jpg


SLS4.jpg
 
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jaxgt said:
I also had the chance to sit in the car. At 6'5", I actually could fit in reasonably well.
Click to expand...

How about when you get in and out, is hitting the door a concern? Or fairly easy to get in and out?

I like the photo you took of both cars from the rear with the doors in the "winged" position. (Hmmm. I like the sound of that. I'll have to get one just so I can say that regularly.)
 
Does the new one come with the fitted luggage like the old one? I always find that impressive at concours shows, where the original luggage is included.
 
The car was reasonably easy to get in an out of, keeping in mind I'm 6'5". Probably similar for me as the GT. There is a bit of a wider than normal door sill. Not sure about luggage - didn't see any on display. I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of MB expensive options, as this list of options appeared quite long
 
options list

Here is the preliminary options list, luggage is available under "appearance" section...

picture.php
 
 
I got to see one up close at AMG HQ in Affalterbach a couple of weeks ago, and it does look good, except for the front "overbite" common to many new European cars, presumably dictated by those new pedestrian crash standards.

Mitchell, you need one! :cheers
 
Sanjay - I agree with you completely. Definitely need one. I suspect it will be a year or so until some hit the secondary market.
 
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