Achtung! Cal Metal's got "wings"!

computerworks · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 09:11 PM

...gull-wings, that is!

Thanks to a high-flying Gashole buddy, I have requested a MidWest fly-over and obtained these spy photos of a new stable mate for the Comp car...

Now, my dear....THIS...is sweet.

btsai · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 09:35 PM

That's a pretty modern looking shift lever for a 1955 car. Hint of something else underneath perhaps?

Ben

Thorin · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 09:41 PM

Cal,

I had heard that you were a gull-wing fanatic - beautiful vehicle!

Do you have any other automotive gems?

Dave Lowell

BT SNAKE · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 10:01 PM

Holy Crap!! Talk about the Holy Grail. I do luv that car.
It's always been on my top ten list of dream cars.
Your a lucky Dude Cal. I'm sure it's in good hands.

Hersh

Cal Metal · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 10:10 PM

Leave it to these "Long Island" Loons to strap into their SR-71 Black Birds and do a fly over. Glad it was just photos they took as opposed to something laser guided, pointed at the homestead.

Sorry, Ben, the shifter is more modern but the car is Benz through and through, including the transmission. There is a story to the car, however.

Excaliber · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 10:28 PM

Well I love a good story!!!

Talk about a rare and special ride, WOW! Holy Grail? Yeah, I'd go with that!

Glad you got it and not Turk, he's hard enough to tolerate since he got that VW (you know the Dr. Porsche 930 model).

Ernie

btsai · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 11:50 PM

Could it be, perhaps, more modern mechancials underneath? Something like a 300E drivetrain? I saw one like that at Barrett-Jackson a few years ago...

At any rate, wonderful car.

Tell us the story!

Ben

Aussie Mike · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 01:42 AM

Cool Car Cal

Aren't they wheels polished later model alloy jobbies as well? I thought the originals had steel wheels.

That would be a neat kit if someone came up with a Gull Wing body and chassis that took more common later Mercedes running gear.

Cheers

Bill Kesner · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 01:56 AM

Holly Crap! Now that's a beautiful car Cal. One worth keeping for a while, as the value of this gem will continue to climb.

Can't wait to hear the story behind the car. Your not going to tell us a story about some old lady that thought you would enjoy this car, and sold it to you for $10K are you? What ever the story, it's got to be good!

- Bill -

Cal Metal · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 05:19 AM

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!!!

shaps · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 06:16 AM

Cal,
That is one awesome ride....
Enjoy it!

Cobra20646 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 06:21 AM

Cal,

I don't know about that...... it not about the cars, it's about the people! But whatever you decide to drive, I'd sure like to meet you at the next fling.

The new acquisition is just outstanding..... I know you'll enjoy it!

- Jim -

PatBuckley · #13 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 07:00 AM

Cal -

That car would be welcome anywhere....that is if you like cars. I was parked next to one at a Fly-in/Car show a few years back - they do have presence.

Beautiful.

Pat

Turk · #14 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 08:48 AM

If that car is built by the same people who built this car that was shown at Knott's Berry couple of years ago, all I can say is it is FANTASTIC!

I would be very reluctant to call it , replica or kit car or anything like that.

It was well over $100,000, and was done right. Steel body, and original instrumentation, great coachwork.
I believe they were a couple of German guys operating somewhere out of Southern California.

Cal, if that car is anything like the one I saw, you won't miss the real thing.

TURK

Turk · #15 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 08:48 AM

Turk · #16 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 08:49 AM

another

Turk · #17 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 08:49 AM

btsai · #18 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 09:07 AM

Here are some more -- convertibles and gullwing from the Gauthier Classic last fall...

BTW, I hope the air conditioning works well. I remember the owner of the one I saw back in the '70s telling me you definitely get some greenhouse effect with all that glass...

Ben

Cal Metal · #19 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 10:19 AM

Ben:

They are very hot without AIR. I have seen original owners tuck a GM compressor at the bottom of the engine, out of sight, to remedy the situation.

As memory recalls, I think there were three (count 'em--three) GWs that were imported to the U.S. in '55 with AIR. Undoubtedly, it was probably subcontracted in Germany somewhere, as the Factory didn't initially offer it as an option, as far as I know.

btsai · #20 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 02:53 PM

Glad your a/c works. Bet you were surprised I knew all that stuff, eh?

Well, as I always tell my wife "once again I am full of some really cool information that can earn me absolutely no money."

Ben