Amalgam 1:18 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing

• inished in Silver Grey Metallic
• 1:18 scale model, over 25 cms/10 inches long
• Each model hand-built and assembled by a small team of craftsmen
• Made using the finest quality materials
• Over 800 hours to develop the model
• Precisely engineered parts: castings, photo-etchings and CNC machined metal components
• Built using our own CAD data developed after scanning original car chassis 198.040.5500386
• Created in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz using original drawings and archive photography

The Original Supercar 

Many trace the story of the modern supercar back to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Celebrated for its intoxicating blend of striking aesthetics, pioneering engineering and exceptional performance, the 300 SL stands head and shoulders above the iconic sports car designs which still captivate collectors today. Not only did this technological marvel secure victories at many of the world’s most prestigious sports car races, but it also excelled in numerous amateur rally, road, and endurance racing championships. What sets the 300 SL apart is its ability to achieve such notable successes while embodying elegance, sophistication and desirability - qualities that define it as one of the most significant cars of the 20th century. It undeniably stands as Mercedes-Benz’s most cherished and influential automotive creation, solidifying its legacy in the annals of automotive history. 

Beginnings of a Legend 

With the W 194, Daimler-Benz had made an impressive return to the world of motor racing in the early 1950s. As the trophies flooded in, Maximilian Hoffman, the official Daimler-Benz importer in New York, identified a gap in the North American automotive market. He believed that a road-going version of such a car would appeal to affluent American high-performance devotees and lobbied for its development. Incredibly, just five months later, the 300 SL made a sensational debut at the 1954 New York Auto Show. Now bearing the internal model designation W 198, the new sports car exuded elegance in its proportions and innovation in its engineering. It was the world’s first four-stroke production passenger car to be equipped with direct fuel injection, enhancing both output and efficiency. The world had never seen a sports car like it. 

A Space-Age Construction 

The 300 SL distinguished itself not only through its striking design but also through its groundbreaking technical innovations. Under the guidance of Rudolf Uhlenhaut, its powerful 3.0L overhead-cam six-cylinder engine produced an astonishing 215 hp, enabling a top speed of 250 km/h and making the 300 SL the fastest production car in the world. Like the W 194 upon which it based, the new 300 SL featured a lightweight and cohesive design, utilising an intricate tubular space frame that supported the engine, transmission and axles. This frame was wrapped in a steel and alloy body designed by Friedrich Geiger for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. This unique construction left no room for conventional doors, leading to the creation of top-hinged, upswinging doors that became the 300 SL’s most distinctive feature, earning it the iconic “Gullwing” moniker it is forever known by. 

An Era Defining Creation 

The 300 SL was much more than a product of its era; it defined it. Beyond its technical and design achievements, the 300 SL’s legacy extends into popular culture and the collector market, where it remains one of the most sought-after vehicles. The 300 SL was seen everywhere, from the pristine motor show exhibit halls and Hollywood silver screens, to the grime-soaked race tracks where it was victorious. In direct contrast to rival collectible cars, the 300 SL was stellar in its ubiquity, partly because it was produced in significant numbers: 1,400 examples of the Gullwing were built between 1954 and 1957. When the 300 SL was not gracing the front page of a publication’s sports coverage, it often found a place in the entertainment section, serving as a symbol of innovation and luxury among the world’s socialites, business tycoons, movie stars and royals. The 300 SL was also a bastion of individuality and expression; an owner could have Gullwing in any colour combination, and with as many of the factory’s optional extras as they desired. 

A Continued Racing Heritage

The 300 SL made its racing debut in the 1952 Mille Miglia, securing second and fourth places in the hands of Karl Kling and Rudolf Caracciola. Two weeks later, Kling, Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess completed a clean sweep of the podium ahead of Swiss Grand Prix at Bern-Bremgarten. For Le Mans in June, three new cars were built. Despite Kling and Hans Klenk’s entry suffering a generator failure, the remaining two cars excelled: Lang and Riess won the race with an average speed of 155.58 km/h (96.7 mph), while Theo Helfrich and Helmut Niedermayr finished second, one lap behind. The 300 SL celebrated more success in August when Lang won the German GP at the Nürburgring, with Kling and Riess finishing second and third. For a final works outing, responding to pressure from their sales representative in Mexico City, Daimler-Benz sent two trucks and 35 people to Mexico for the third Carrera Panamericana. Despite some early struggles, Kling and Klenk won the event, finishing ahead of Lang and Erwin Grupp. For 1953, the team began preparations for an optimised version of the SL, but the project was cancelled as priorities shifted to a new Grand Prix racer.

A Glorious Lineage 

Often regarded as the most iconic Mercedes-Benz creation, the 300 SL has left a lasting mark on both the automotive and cultural landscapes. It set a new standard for design in the 1950s, influencing the sports car aesthetics and technological development for decades, and remains a benchmark for elegance and performance. The 300 SL wasn’t just a standalone marvel; it became a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s identity. Its story exemplifies the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating timeless icons. The innovation and luxury embodied by the 300 SL established the template for future sports cars, with models like the SLS AMG and AMG GT drawing direct inspiration from it. The SLS AMG, in particular, paid homage to the original with its modern Gullwing doors and its performance-led design. The 300 SL’s legacy is reflected in Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to blending cutting-edge technology with timeless elegance. Through it, Mercedes-Benz established itself as a brand that could seamlessly integrate racing heritage with luxury and innovation, a balance that defines the company’s DNA in every car it produces. 

Creating the Model 

Many of the 1:18 scale projects we create at Amalgam Collection take advantage of the previous intense research and development process we have been through to create our 1:8 scale model of the same car. Working from the same CAD data developed from a detailed digital scan of original chassis 198.040.5500386, our engineers fabricated a pattern for each component of the model. The master patterns were created for each piece of the complex assembly using 3D printing and meticulous hand finishing. Moulds are then taken from each pattern and used to create a small batch of precisely engineered cast components, each one fettled and fitted to make a complete set, before painting, finishing and assembly. This stunningly detailed and precise scale replica, finished in the signature shade of Silver Grey Metallic is the final result. 

Note: This is a 'Kerbside' model and does not feature any moving parts.