Gullwing-America revises the new Gullwing
Personalizing your SLS
Photography from Gullwing America
With the recent introduction of the new SLS AMG Gullwing, observers are pondering whether the new car faithfully updates the original design. I suppose you could say the discussion is whether the new Gullwing embodies enough of the original car’s “Gullwingness” to satisfy the traditional Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts.
One enthusiast who feels the new SLS is rather short on traditional Gullwing styling cues is Arturo Alonso, the brain behind Gullwing America and its recently introduced Panamericana 300SL. Alonso is rarely satisfied with the status quo hence his Panamericana 300SL takes the original Gullwing concept and updates it to a modern standard. However, he reverses the process with the SLS, “backdating” the new car with original Gullwing styling cues.
Another project from Gullwing America: The Gullwing Panamericana - updating the original Gullwing concept.
Alonso went back to his drawing board and devised a body kit for the new SLS AMG Gullwing consisting of seven body panels, each made from Hybrid Aluminum and carbon fiber. Honoring the original Gullwing design, he adds twin power bulges to the hood, enlarges the side vents and installs distinctly retro “eyebrows” above each wheel arch.
Sinister Gullwing America SLS AMG seeks to honor original Gullwing design. Dual oval Xenon headlights replace originals. Note twin hood bulges and larger side vent, both reminiscent of original Gullwing.
Can you spot all the differences between this standard SLS and modified car above?
While this is largely a cosmetic exercise, Gullwing America upgrades the exhaust with a sport muffler system and fits their trademark GWA wheels, 19″ in front and 20″ at the rear. The interior is left largely alone with specially stitched Alcantara seat center inserts resembling the original Gullwing’s standard plaid seat trim available as an option. You can order illuminated brushed aluminum door sills as well.
Retro "eyebrows" over wheel arches dominate the redesign. I also see revised tail light lenses and four exhaust outlets.
No prices have been announced as yet for the SLS Panamericana conversion kit but be sure to visit Gullwing America’s website for pricing and availability of the SLS conversion kit as well as the Panamericana 300SL project.
Heading down California's Highway 1 toward Big Sur would be quite a drive in a Gullwing America SLS Panamericana.
Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
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10 Responses to “Gullwing America to release SLS AMG Gullwing body package”
The SLS AMG is a beautiful design and is not improved by the America version. The cheap looking fender skirts, (aka eyebrows) look like an add-on from the JC Whitney catalog. The change from the angular headlights to the round one looks like a head fake to Jaguar. I don’t think “sinister” is as good a description as “silly”. Why would you pay that much for a car and tart it up with tacky appliques?
Much better, now the car has some attitude!
Looks like a bozo car
Terrible! It looks cheap. I don’t particularly like the new Gullwing by comparison to the old, but this is ridiculous. It looks like a childs school project gone wrong, and whats with the plastic add-on, top of the wheel arch things? Maybe they come out in super fast mode, and have little red lights that flash at you. I would cringe to be seen in one. Back to the drawing board, and have another go.
What a dumb-assed idea!!!
Finally!!!….a successor to the ’70s-’80s Stutz Bearcat. (eyes are rolling)
Unfortunately, this poorly executed “back date” is nothing short of abhorrent.
The headlight and grill treatment – maybe
The wheel arches – no way
Retro for the sake of being retro is a huge mistake. Retro design is (rightly) always subject to extra scrutiny – it has to be twice as good, and this example is not.
The power bulges in the bonnet look OK. the eyebrows and headlights wreck the styling – but I’d also argue the original styling wasn’t that great anyway. the front bar does look considerably ‘meaner’ but I’m sure they could have used more angular headlights, and it certainly needs a lip spoiler on the boot.
In my opinion, the type of person that would elect to waste their money destroying classic Mercedes-Benz styling with an aftermarket body kit is the type of person with more dollars than sense. I was curious, what color are the neon lights that shine down on the pavement from under the rocker panels??? People own these cars because they understand them and appreciate the heritage that got them to this point, or to show the world that they have arrived with an outrageous and classless display of wealth. What type of owner are you? Answer that question and you will know if this aftermarket kit is right for you.
IT USED TOO BE!!!… CHRYSLER COPIED MERCEDES STYLING!!…NOW IT LOOKS LIKE MERCEDES ARE COPYING CHRYSLER!! WRONG WHEELS THEY LOOK DATED & DULL!..BODY COLOUR IS ALL WRONG FOR A MODERN STATE OF THE ART “SPORTSCAR” ALL BLACK ALL RED ALL SILVER AT LEAST!..THIS LOOKS LIKE AN ATTEMPT AT MOPAR LATE 60,S OR COMARO…THEY OWN THAT WHITE RED COMBO!..THOSE EYEBROWS ARE NOTHIN BUT AN ATTEMPT TOO BE DIFFERENT !!..FOR “DIFFERENCE” SAKE!..IS THAT ALL THE DESIGNER COULD DREAM UP!…HEY GUYS!..I WILL HAVE HIS JOB FOR HALF THE SALARY!!………DITCH HIM IMMEIDEATLY! PLEEEZ QUICK!.
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