Tuesday 29th October 2013

Mercedes 300SL Gullwing: Time For Tea?

It's still being driven in anger, just not where you might expect

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In the majority of cases, we'd be surprised if the guys featured in the Petrolicious vids meet with anything other than unanimous approval. Building an indoor storage space for your Ferrari? Great idea. Modernising a 240Z? Love it. Just driving a Countach? Brilliant.

This one may prove a little more controversial. This week's video features Bob Sirna, a man who has taken his Mercedes 300SL Gullwing to Bonneville every year since 2001. In his own words, he is a victim of salt fever.

Credit to Bob for actually using a classic worth hundreds of thousands of pounds; the world would be a far duller place if all these cars were cooped up in collections. He deplores those who treat such cars 'as jewellery', and we would have to agree.

But why take the Gullwing, the original Mercedes Sport Leicht and legendary road-race competitor, to the vast expanses of Bonneville? And why praise the technology and innovation of the standard engine, only to create a 'Bonneville engine' for greater speed? Seems a strange one to us, but Bob's enthusiasm can't be faulted. Moreover, his unique approach to racing at Bonneville certainly makes for an fascinating car and video.

See here

 

[jke11y]

Cool video, and Bob's sentiments are sound (albeit delivered in a very American way).

[sisu]

Sadly most of the Classic cars are polished instead of driven

[jamespink]

Wonderful video, completely agree, what a great car, how lovely to see it being used. Doesn't say what it timed at, love to know!

[psmith1980]

Ten gallon hats off to you Sir! Absolutely stonking, what a great idea.

[Vocal Minority]

Absolutely agree with the concept of cars being used. Loved seeing them raced and raced hard.

However, grumpy and old manish as it sounds, I like seeing these things unmolested - the iconic cars aren't made any more (obviously) and they are preserved for future petrol heads as much as your plaything. I am sure he maintains it excellently - maybe his 'I want to put this away wet and wear it out' comment at the start just got us off on the wrong foot.

[/old man whinge]

[threespires]

Bonneville Start Line


Bonneville Start Line


Bonneville Start Line


Bonneville Start Line


Bonneville Ferrari


Bonneville Ferrari

[gforceg]

Enjoy yer toys.

That'll do it.

[Ian974]

If he's had it 29 years it'll have been expensive, but not as ridiculous as the prices now I guess, and probably no worse than running anything else there. Don't see this as being any different to someone buying say a scuderia or gt3 rs for example and using that for track days for the next 30 years. Good man!

[Behemoth]

note to editor: the link to the Countach vid is wrong, it takes you to the Boxer vid.

[airbrakes]

Vocal Minority said:

Absolutely agree with the concept of cars being used. Loved seeing them raced and raced hard.

However, grumpy and old manish as it sounds, I like seeing these things unmolested - the iconic cars aren't made any more (obviously) and they are preserved for future petrol heads as much as your plaything. I am sure he maintains it excellently - maybe his 'I want to put this away wet and wear it out' comment at the start just got us off on the wrong foot.

[/old man whinge]

You say that, but just how many original parts do you think remain on the winning GT40s, E-type Lightweights, and Aston DB4s etc that race at goodwood every year? they certainly look unmolested but there is sod about them that is "period"

[Vocal Minority]

True

[rob1234]

What a sound!

[silver surfer]

He is so right!!!

Love it!!

SS

[tomoleeds]

excellent video, best for a long time, and the sound is loud enough to hear on a laptop !!

[Bill]

Ace. Good to see it being used, it's not especially rare and there are enough garage queens already.

[scubadude]

Yes but... how fast does it go?

Can't help thinking almost any other type of motorsport would be less damaging to a classic than doing speed on salt but all credit to him for getting on with it. The yanks seem to love choosing the most pointless things to try and set speed records with, old trucks and stuff, wonderfully bonkers.

[pagani1]

I gave it 10. PistonHeads should send him a sticker and honorary membership-he's our sort of guy, just a shame we didn't get any numbers but Bonneville is on my bucket list.

[garypotter]

pagani1 said:

I gave it 10. PistonHeads should send him a sticker and honorary membership-he's our sort of guy, just a shame we didn't get any numbers but Bonneville is on my bucket list.

+1 surely the piston heads bank account can afford a sticker and postage stamp for this guy, I feel he has de valued this car but he is not bothered about values but about enjoyment. well done sir

[DodoRacing]

There he said it; "You only live once and you can't take it with you!".
Big respect and appreciation for him.

[sideways man]

pagani1 said:

I gave it 10. PistonHeads should send him a sticker and honorary membership-he's our sort of guy.

My sentiments exactly.
He has owned this car for 29 years. Seems like he has the knowledge and funds to look after it also. Good Luck to you sir.