[Cal Metal]

Bill:

If that were only the case. I never seem to fall into any of those deals. Did pick up a tri-power air cleaner for a 389 Pontiac for $5 a number of years ago, but I normally over pay for everything else.

OK. Here is the story. Ben and Aussie Mike are on the right track.
About a decade ago, a gentleman by the name of Anton Ostermeier, who was formally employed by MB back in the 50s when the GW was being prototyped, decided to build a GW with all modern MB components (280/300E engines, disc brakes, most of the components out of the modern SLs). Built the frame by replicating the original, employed the original VDO gauges, re-created the curved luggage to fit behind the two seats (option that cost $2,000 in 1990). The body is actually a combined metal/fiberglass structure. The only real difference from a visual point of view are the air conditioning vents and the shifter (the original one stood up about eight inches and looks out of proportion).

Most of the cars were exported to Germany and Japan (before their economy puked) and there are a few left in the states. I don not know how many were ever produced. The original owner thinks somewhere around 50 cars, but that is a guess. It took over a month to build a car so his math may not be far off. The cars are no longer produced. I had talked with Ostermeier back in the mid 90s. He was building an SL roadster, too, that was sold out very quickly. The wait on those cars were 18 mos.. He told me that the wives of many Hollywood types wanted the roadster and the first five were being painted white. They ran $120,000.

This car was purchased from its original owner who lived in North Carolina. The pics do not do the paint justice. It is a BMW silver with a hint of taupe. Really very nice, in my opinion, as even I am impressed with the color. Typically, I don't have a good eye for paint.

One could order the steel wheels with the correct caps. The former owner opted for the more modern wheel. At first I liked the idea of the capped wheel, but these look pretty good on the car.

The car was built in 1990. It has 5,200 miles on it. Owner claimed it had never seen the rain. I don't think anyone has sat in the passenger seat very much, either, given its relative stiffness versus the driver's seat.

I knew when I sent these pics to Ron it would be "torture" time for me. Thanks for the compliments. It is a nice car but I doubt it would be too welcome at the DV Fling!!!