CM -- a neighbor friend (the dad) had a 300 SL Gullwing when I was in highschool. (mid '70s). Sat in it once. He'd drive it around and leave it parked with the doors up to attract even more attention. He said he took it up to 130 mph and you'd not want to go faster than that.
His "regular" cars were Corvettes. Collected a bunch of 'em. His trailer queen was a '54. Wife's daily driver was a '64 327 convertible w/a 4-speed. Only one was an automatic -- '65, white, knock-offs, side pipes, teak steering wheel. Older daughter drove that one once in a while.
They had an 8-car garage and their own gas pump (had to truck in the high octane stuff - especially back then.)
I got a double benefit from that family -- cool cars and two beautiful girls my age. Man, times were good then!.
Ben