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Retro Gullwing SLS AMG Panamericana by Gullwing America

K keshy
Posted onNov 7, 2009 at 10:56 AM

Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (5)

The original Gullwing classic was created by a loophole in racing rules, “nowhere is it written that a door can only open sideways.” This allowed Mercedes to retain the strength of the 300SL’s (as well as the modern 300SLS) tubular space frame by hinging the doors from the roof. This created a legend in the 50s that lives on till today and still shares it technology.

Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (2)

However the modern gullwing, called the SLS AMG didn’t go down well with a number of observers. It wasn’t the power, 553 horsepower is hardly anything to complain about, but rather it was the lack of “retroness” in the SLS’s design. This is where Gullwing America comes into the picture with their new SLS Panamericana.

Gullwing America SLS Panamericana

The SLS Panamericana was created to be a more proper “300SL from the 21st century.” Consisting of seven-body pieces which includes the red “eyebrows” at the top of the fenders everything has been made from either lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber. You also get the racing stripes to remind you that you’re in something that has racing DNA in it.

Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (3)

Inside, Alcantara leather covers the seats with contrast stitching but that’s about it, nothing else has changed. The wheels are replaced with a set of GWA Wheels, 19-inch up front and 20-inches in the rear. So does this SLS Panamericana look as retro as it was intended to be? Not quite, but it does look much better than the original SLS, especially with the updated front fascia. More information on this as we get it.

Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (4)

Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (5)Gullwing America SLS PanamericanaGullwing America SLS Panamericana (1)Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (3)Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (2)Gullwing America SLS Panamericana (4)

Source: AutoBlog

Post Views: 636
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Better? OMG! it looks catastrophically hideous! There's not a single angle at which it is anything less than deadly frightening.

Ray Charles would have done a better job. Being blind, and dead.
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    iskett
  • Nov 7, 2009
Wow! This car keeps looking better every time I see it!
Used to hate the design, but now, its gorgeous!
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    long
  • Nov 7, 2009
beautiful car
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    jun
  • Nov 7, 2009
the front looks fantastic, but the sides have too much clutter.
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the first picture remind me of the S30Z in Wangan Midnight
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    Victor
  • Nov 8, 2009
the front looks like S30 Fairlady
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nice car.. vroom vroom!!
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    TiM
  • Nov 8, 2009
Sh*t! the disc brake so huge! haha.
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    netmatrix
  • Nov 9, 2009
I wonder who designed those add on parts? Firstly if you guys are into old school wheels for old Jap cars. You would instantly recognize the wheel design is from Cheviot, Enkei, etc. 5 spoke with bridge bowl.

I don't have a problem them making the front looks a hell lot like a Porsche. But the side arches... C'MON!!! Are they kidding? Its like some bad DIY work! I wonder why they did not flush the arches with the body? This would be the lousiest mod part i have seen for SLS. And the red color on the lights. I think our Malaysian counterpart would at least used those color to mimic larger rear lamp cluters and not bleeding lights ala October-Ween!

What a put off.
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    PocketRocket
  • Nov 9, 2009
how you gonna turn......
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    SundayDriver
  • Nov 9, 2009
now this one looks retro :)
i like the white 1
really have the ol' skool feel for that car.
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    zeke
  • Nov 9, 2009
not the fender especially the rear! the front disc brakes can make 2 sets or more for a kelisa. haha.
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    Zambesi
  • Nov 9, 2009
U clown have so much to hate, yet know nuts about car design.. Give em a break; it's a fab design
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    netmatrix
  • Nov 10, 2009
Ok Bufoon, you tell me why they added a "splash guard" on the wheel arches.

- Tell me how it is aesthetically pleasing?
- Tell me how to appreciate it.
- What reference from original or variants SL does it come from?
- Why only red on top of headlights? Why not repetition on other part of body?
- Why a F40 or 1980s' style 5 spoker wheel in 2 tone?

If just to say, its nice, then start to call people names. Speak volumes of how much quality your taste have. Then probably you have to start slapping namecards on everyone in some wine tasting event, just to make sure you are respected. Ha!!!!
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    Neo
  • Nov 10, 2009
LOL... all this bickering over designs.
Personally I think it's up to individual tastes... some will like it, some won't. I think it looks better than the original though.

And oh, the "splash guard" thingy that netmatrix mentioned.. it's because the original SLS had it. Since they were trying to "retro-fy" the car, most likely they wanted to take cues from the ori.
The 5-spoke rims, is most likely coz it's a popular style for old sports rims. Netmatrix already mentioned the "F40 or 1980's style" anyway..
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    netmatrix
  • Nov 10, 2009
The SLS is supposed to be a new car inspired from the old one. Not design carry over! Even if the old 300SL has "splash guards", it is not visible as the whel arches is small. It horrific when the arcehs is big. Why didn't they design a metal style wheel with hub cap cover inserts if they want to go all out replication?

Still dislike those add ons. Still the car should appeal to canopy makers. hahahaha.
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    Zambesi
  • Nov 12, 2009
New car or not, they have every right to design it whatever way they want. Of cos everyone is entitled to their opinion, and so am I. And no, they need not use wheel covers anymore because automotive technology has had massive advancement since the original design of the SL. Every post on ZTH seems to have ur 2 bits of opinion, which u pass off as a self proclaimed automotive expert. Go get a life Joe
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