The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Is a $1 Million Sports Car Icon

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The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is an automotive icon -- and today I'm reviewing it. I'm going to take you on a thorough tour of this amazing car and show you all the quirks and features of the 300SL Gullwing -- then I'm going to drive the 300SL and show you what it's like on the road.
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DOUGSCORE CHART:
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[@bartoltolic]

Here’s hoping that Doug will break “Only post 80’s cars” rule again and review Aston Martin DB5

[@Jofuish]

Or something like an original 911 or a Muira. Something significant like them

[@entertainedeclectus5140]

@@Jofuish +1 for the Miura, that's worthy of breaking the rule

[@Petrospect]

By all accounts a very beautiful car but from a driving perspective it apparently doesn't live up to it. E-Type dusts it. Even Sean Connery didn't think it were a very nice car to drive.

[@Chiellus11]

Citroen DS pretty plx

[@barrettwbenton]

"Only post-80s" hasn't been a hard-and-fast rule with Doug: any car of true significance (I know, slippery slope on *that* one) makes the cut with him, although I'm betting he wouldn't go much farther back in time than this Merc.

[@joeydaveyphoto2032]

this particular 300sl, with the mille miglia medallions and stirling moss' signature, might be the coolest car doug has ever reviewed

[@Psykel]

Would still be the coolast car Doug has ever reviewed even without those though.

[@muskokamike127]

Moss's signature on that car (I would guess) increases its value easily 20%.

[@aaronlean1350]

Not even close 😂 seriously!

[@thegoldenwithernikytgw4038]

@@aaronlean1350 how much then

[@donswier]

For anyone unfamiliar, look up Stirling Moss 1955 Mille Miglia. You'll know why the signature stays on this dash.

[@theParticleGod]

I love the way Doug DeMuro can "borrow" a million dollar Mercedes from a preservation society like a normal person borrows books from the library. When I borrow cars from the museum, I end up in court.

[@theParticleGod]

@@j7704 what a sensible and insightful reply, not punctuated with insults or conspiracy theories like your usual commenter. Thumbs up for you, sir.

[@LeaveItToBeaner]

Hes also insured up to like 5 million dollars incase he wrecks a car hes reviewing

[@rickjames9507]

Dude is a respected member of the car community. What he does is explain museum quality pieces in a fun way. He loves cars and he got to the top of the car food chain. He should go on Jay Leno’s Garage. Also there has been cars he wasn’t allowed to drive.

[@MarijnRoorda]

There were 5 300SL models parked outside. As can be seen @ 27:17. So i'd imagine they loan them out more regularly, for why else would you have 5 of the same model...

[@tomchillen3039]

@@j7704 shut

[@HaydnMowbray]

The reason it has Stirling Moss' name on it is because he used to own it. He sold it through Bonhams auction house in 2015 and you'll note there's a 2015 UK tax disc on the windscreen. Those tags for the Mille Miglia were Moss' when he won the race shortly after signing for Mercedes in 1955. Read up on him, he was a fantastic racing driver and his ownership would elevate the value of this car even more

[@peoplehavetherights]

Astonishing. Thank you.

[@afrousel4731]

Yeah I knew this was a UK car when I saw the plate, records state it was exported to the US in 2019.

[@madaxe]

Stirling*

[@FiatUno2003]

@@madaxe oh wow, thanks for correcting it. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't know that it was Stirling Moss 🗿

[@Jimjef]

He definitely should have known that.

[@alexandern4403]

Gull-wing doors by engineering necessity has to be one of the most German things of all time

[@bws1971]

This comment is highly underrated and deserves way more likes

[@TobinTwinsHockey]

I have an S Class and I thought the same thing about the center console lid that opens in both directions. I marveled at the German thinking that led to them over engineering a console lid.

[@automation7295]

Why do people think that it's only Germans that over engineer stuff? Anyone can over engineer stuff, not only Germans

[@TobinTwinsHockey]

@@automation7295 because, while anyone can, the Germans have a well documented history of and a tendency to. Let me know when the Irish do the same and I will be sure to include them.

[@automation7295]

@@TobinTwinsHockey While that's true German automakers have tendency of over-engineering, every automakers from every country can over-engineer something. American automakers can over engineer something as well, but yes it's still usually European automakers, especially German.

[@jjunture]

What a beauty. I definitely plan on buying one of these after the lease is up on my Corolla.

[@Danielgarzar]

😂

[@jaaj7381]

As you should

[@bitcoochie4093]

Y r u leasing a Corolla

[@evanneiswanger]

I think I’ll go with the roadster, more practical 🤔

[@wesleyalan9179]

Lol

[@nrakma]

My first ride in a 300SL was when I was a kid in the early 60’s. My dad was in the passenger seat, his friend was the driver and I was curled up on the rear luggage shelf behind the seats. The engine sounded good but lacked power down low, but it cornered incredibly well. For safety reasons, we never exceeded 100 MPH.

[@privatejaydan8612]

Lucky MF 👍

[@ps5dude850]

It's crazy to think that the Germans were able to make something like this in less than 10 years after the WWII, in which their manpower, economy and infrastructure were devastated. Huge respect. 🙌🏼

[@dntlss]

That's no shit,i can't remember what show this was in but it was a comedy i watched a while back and these 2 guys were contemplating a difficult task and one guy asked the guy next to him "you think we can do that?" and the guy replied "they rebuilt Berlin didn't they? lol

[@doodskie999]

Meanwhile in my country, they cant even fix a 10 year old pothole

[@rmamon2554]

Hagerty made a nice docu about the 300 Super Leicht. Thats what SL stands for, Hagerty found the Document.

[@jamessaad3680]

you from trinidad @@doodskie999

[@DerFliegendeMocca]

@@doodskie999 to be fair, nowadays in germany, they also need 10 years to fix an old pothole. :(

[@acdarc]

The level of trust Doug has these days: "This is the James Webb Telescope, easily one of the greatest achievements of mankind and today, I'm going to review it."

[@Dankman9]

haha

[@sk61181]

Meanwhile, scientists working on the ELT are sweating 😁

[@AnitaHanjaaab]

😂😂😂

[@wa2804]

...and than I'll take it out on the road to see how it drives 🤣🤣🤣

[@AdmiralSym]

This… is the International Space Station!

[@Mather199]

Honestly Doug reviewing old cars like that is pure joy I wish we would see more

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

He's done the ultimate Merc the Gullwing, done the 959, but not the Muira yet. C'mon Doug, try the Muira. 34:54

[@h7pubg]

i really wish he would review the jaguar e-type, maybe even compare a series 1 with a series 3 or something like that

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

@@h7pubg good one, yes the E type, he hasn't done that one yet, that would go well off the Gullwing too.

[@mendesrui]

I thought he didn't review old cars. Only the really special ones?

[@bonzobonanza]

@@bradford_shaun_murray I'm pretty sure he wants to review the Miura. The only thing is that he has to find one in good condition.

[@ashleyblack1587]

As an Australian seeing those two open holes in the back of the cabin seems absolutely insane to me. I wonder if there’s any Gullwings down here that has mesh on that. It’d give me so much more piece of mind haha

[@CryptocurrencyInsider]

No deathly spiders in Europe - no mesh needed

[@Dondriver12345]

@@CryptocurrencyInsider I'm quite sure I don't want to see any spiders in my car (even those not deadly ones). As a villager I could say it's just the matter of several minutes to have your car occupied by various insects after you park it: bugs, spiders, flies, wasps and so on.

[@Davez621]

What does being Australian have to do with it? Those holes would actually be far worse in a cold climate (the car has no heater, remember).

[@ashleyblack1587]

@@Davez621 snakes

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@Davez621 they had to ban the Peppa Pig episode which said spiders are friendly because of how intense they can be in Aus

[@ZReviews]

Anyone else playing this at 0.75x so doug sounds normal.. I think he had too much coffee before the intro

[@rsporsche]

huh, it works

[@xplosivejosif]

Yooooo!! Thought I was the only one.

[@sangamkhati4244]

Huuhhh man I tried this and Ya! It is working...... 🤣🤣🤣

[@seddam]

0.85x is much normal.

[@heyokaikaggen6288]

I'd be excited too.

[@patchnotesforlife]

He finally got his hands on one. The absolute legend.

[@parks_stallings]

Now we wait for the CLK GTR

[@bonzobonanza]

@@parks_stallings Now that would be a tough one to find.

[@Planag7]

It's exposure it's not a matter of luck

[@gotham61]

I wonder how many times he had to get on his knees to beg Mike Kunz to let him take it out?

[@kenlaw04]

“Frankly if I crash this car, I rather not survive” yes exactly lol that car is beautiful

[@donallmccrudden4812]

If I spent that kind of money on a car I wouldn't drive it. Would be to terrified of crashing it.

[@JCintheBCC]

@@donallmccrudden4812 It reminds me of James May's review of the Ferrari 250GT. He said he honestly couldn't enjoy driving the car because he was so scared the entire time. He has since said in interviews that he has barely any memory of driving it.

[@donallmccrudden4812]

@@JCintheBCC was that Chris Evans car?

[@musicmanbc9613]

Laughed out loud when he said that.

[@younghex9577]

30:00

[@doorjam2me]

This is awesome that Doug got to review one and drive it. Also, huge props to Mercedes for letting them out on the road and supporting them for all these years!

[@DemonGuy48]

MB Classic Center : How many 300SL do you want? Doug : *Yes*

[@turel5817]

lmfao right? 😂

[@chubbysumo2230]

Hoovie was there, they have a few of each because they are restoring them. This one was raced by sterling moss, which is pretty cool.

[@pissoff234]

@ Just do it Hey go sweep the floor in your mud hut

[@joe125ful]

Many?What:)

[@TeachDem]

Doug: Frankly if I crash this, I rather not survive lol 😂

[@AristoCat221]

Yeah I get it 😀

[@gaiusbaltar7122]

I came to read this comment when I heard Doug saying that!

[@automation7295]

I bet you also put "😂" when someone died.

[@AristoCat221]

@@automation7295 maybe he thinks its crying duento poor eyesight. 🤔

[@mackie5004]

You’re surrounded by tubes. So you will die like a Spartan hero.

[@notsojoerogan]

You can tell this is a dream come true for Doug. The authentic amazement really shines through especially as he's driving and talking about the vehicle's mannerisms and some history. Glad to see you got to drive an automotive icon that you looked up to for years. Great work Doug!

[@tsaszymborska7389]

Most beautiful car ever built. Thanks for reviewing it Doug!

[@thedudeabides1443]

I don’t think we will ever see again such class and style that existed with sports cars from the 50s and 60s. From this beauty to Vettes, Jags, Aston Martins and Lambos. What a time to be alive for a sports car enthusiast!

[@modelotime3608]

Pagani

[@skyscourge5663]

BMW 507 as well!One of the most beautiful cars ever

[@bonzobonanza]

@@modelotime3608 The Zonda is the best looking Pagani ever.

[@runningrebel978]

No we wont thats what makes every decade unique and special in its own way. You dont want to live in a world that never changes

[@24bergman]

I’d be too afraid to drive something like that. Even the smallest fender bender would scar me.

[@Oliur]

Definitely one of the most beautiful cars ever.

[@rickgooch8022]

Crypto is the future 💯

[@titicaca.]

@Steve Rowell i hope no one actually falls for this lol

[@diogeneskoolaid8437]

@@titicaca. the above comments read like the 21st century version of the old Burma Shave signs along the road.

[@lukekelly4360]

And then came the Series 1 E Type Jag

[@headcoatee]

​@@titicaca. The fact that I see these comment chains on every big KZbin channel tells me that it must work on some people. If anyone's dumb enough to fall for it they deserve to lose their money.

[@muzicgr8]

In the last few weeks I have watched many, and I mean many of your videos. I have never seen anyone love what they do more than you do. I love cars and I really love super cars, so thank you for all that you do. I get to geek out while watching you geek out. Keep em coming.

[@kayeninetwo3585]

I think Doug's in love! Thanks for sharing your experience with us, my friend. I can remember seeing pictures of these Mercedes in books and magazines as a kid in the late 1960's to early '70's, and even at that time - 15 or more years after it was introduced - the 300 SL coupe was perceived as the most amazing and visual car ever made. By the '70's there were faster cars, more powerful cars and more expensive cars, but none as amazing. It was from the future.

[@alexanderstrubeck6253]

Who else would love to see Doug review more pre-1980’s cars like this?

[@Nebulasecura]

Me!!

[@repapeti98]

He won't and made a video about why.

[@elie6769]

Everyone honestly especially old German cars

[@Jens_Roadster]

Nobody.

[@logantyler3741]

@@repapeti98 I know why he doesn't, but to be fair the videos of classic cars he did were not really the kind of classics people wanna see. People wanna see like vintage muscle cars, jaguar e types, etc. Not weird Lambos people have barely heard of.

[@kway745]

Fun fact: if you’re driving around with the front windows removed, it’s advised that you “keep it under 100”. Otherwise, the rubber-set rear windows can potentially blow out.

[@jankunc7593]

Kph or mph? Because that makes a lot of difference.

[@kway745]

@@jankunc7593 MPH.

[@michatroschka]

thanks for the advice!

[@apocalypse487]

@@jankunc7593 100 speed

[@BridgesOnBikes]

Someone learned the hard way.

[@StargateMax]

"If I crashed this car I'd rather not survive" LOLOLOLOL! I get you. :D

[@bart_u]

Doug should do more oldtimer and classic car reviews! This is absolutely lovely! ❤‍🔥

[@RockSleeper]

in terms of styling, the SLS AMG did a great job of paying homage to the 300SL while using more modern lines, shapes and features.

[@chrisperry2922]

100% Agreed!

[@Mattesgalleon]

This car is art.

[@giedryztube]

No it didn’t. Nose length was just ridiculous

[@SonicBoone56]

Agreed

[@netweed09]

@Shutbyotch Nah lol. But the GT looks great and modern in it's own unique form.

[@corona407]

"Here's your Bigmac, Sir" "Just a sec, let me unlatch and remove my window first"

[@theshadowman1398]

Why ? Just open the door

[@radudeATL]

Bigmac.

[@JL-sm6cg]

It would need to be unlatched to order the damn thing first. lol

[@brian5o]

That just won't work, you need to trade it in for a Lamborghini Countach, DeLorean DMC12 or a Subaru SVX to deal with that problem. LOL!

[@raylarkin5004]

I am so pleased to see you review this absolute icon of automotive history. And while sparse in many modern features, this is the best example of less is not just more but positively THE MOST! Thank you Doug, this without doubt will my favorite review because of the glee you have just being near it!👍🏼

[@gregorydahlen2103]

Good job Doug. That was a lot of material to cover in half an hour. Glad you finally mentioned the handling improvement of the roadster (indirectly that is... due to the lower pivot point of the rear swing axle... always an issue with the 300SL).

[@a_funyun]

Doug, it's so awesome to see how far you've been able to come. To think you'd be able to roll around in a 300SL Gullwing even a couple years ago seemed so distant, yet here you are. Congratulations.

[@cowsauce9099]

I think it deserved a solid 10 on value. They are dead reliable, highly supported by MB and there are a host of technicians who know how to maintain them. In ten years I think these will be in the 4-8 million dollar range, becoming true unobtainium

[@eugene5153]

@@yungboicontigo9278 i see both sides

[@CillBill94]

Agreed, will go up in value like crazy

[@james64ibm]

@@yungboicontigo9278 But this car is actually making you money (unless you crash it). You could take out a loan to buy one and it would pay for itself a few years later, even including service, insurance and gas. So it's TECHNICALLY free.

[@user-jf8gd3lv7q]

@@yungboicontigo9278 Just shut up, you clown! The 300 SL is like a super expensive art piece in its own league. Those customers, who have certainly more than 1 Million Dollars on the bank to buy a 300 SL, will make a very good deal with it EVERY TIME. The prices for certain 300 SLs today can go up to 2.5 million Dollars. In just a few years, this car will be worth more than 5 million dollars. I can't understand this de Muro clown at all. In his "logic" only very cheap cars have a high "value"? This is so retarded. There's no better value than buying a 300 SL for 1.5 million Dollars and selling it one year later for more than 2 millions.

[@masskhamisi4]

Hahahaha ...the Lincoln continental is way better ..

[@n0isyturtle]

I like how Doug's wild gesturing is enough to shake the entire vehicle.

[@lilpsack7194]

HAHAHAHA i was coming to comment the same thing…

[@Alitheexplorer1]

Ahahahahha

[@MAGGOT_VOMIT]

Doug: "It's a lil tight in here, I'm 6foot3 9foot7..." {0.o} 😆😂🤣

[@mrstingfish]

I noticed that as well lol

[@jordomayor5224]

Yeap and his elegant appearance matches this icon of automotive history.......

[@ShubNiggurath]

My parents had a 190 SL convertible, a similar-looking, lower-cost contemporary car. I've never been in a 300 SL but the interior looks very similar to the 190 SL that I knew growing up, it was my mom's crown jewel. I never got to drive it unfortunately because my parents had to get rid of it before I could drive, due to money issues and the cost of maintaining it. But I loved that car and greatly enjoyed riding in it every time we took it out. It doesn't have rear seating but there's a bit of space behind the front seats and I could just sit there for the ride (facing sideways). My parents' everyday car actually wouldn't start on the day my mom had to go to the hospital to give birth to me so they had to take the 190 SL instead. It's interesting and a bit mysterious to me why the 300 SL Roadster has the same turn signal as the 190 SL, but the Gullwing has a different one.

[@smartymotofoto]

Doug…watched this video before, but I love the 300SL. Definitely a dream car. I’m happy that you got to experience driving it and spending time with it. Good job, man. Thank you for making these videos.

[@rdavis787]

I wish Doug would review old cars like this. They're just made in such a different and interesting way. Almost haphazardly by modern standards, but that what makes them cool. My dad has '57 Bel Air and it's just fun to look at the engineering and design of it.

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

He would almost need to invent a new Doug Score scale just for older vehicles to prevent starting a flame war, since most would get a 1 in acceleration, even though there is a huge difference between 0-60mph of 7.1 sec and 10 sec....not to mention handling, features, quality, & value scores as well.

[@TituzzzD]

I guess he will eventually review older cars. I don't know how many cars are left from the time span between the early 80 and modern cars that he hasn't reviewed, but wants to review. Watching his channel I think not much, because it's mostly modern cars nowadays. Somewhere he said that newer cars don't bring as much joy as older cars and we all feel that. For the sake of content he has to expand further in to the past. At least I think so.

[@antraxxslingshots]

@@TituzzzD I think the same. If he wants his channel to grow (and i guess he wanted to also dip his toes with this vid) why not open a new market.

[@fcscouto]

@@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785 imo, he could just not have a doug score for the classics

[@rdavis787]

@@TituzzzD I was thinking the same. Aside from new car releases, he's gotta be getting close to being out of cars fitting his criteria that would actually be interesting for us.

[@Uninfluenceable]

This car wasn't just "fuel injected"... It had gasoline direct injection, a whole 60 year before it was a thing in modern cars! The Muira was gorgeous but the 300SL is in a whole 'nother league above that, and for sure is the world's first supercar.

[@automation7295]

*"This car wasn't just "fuel injected"... It had gasoline direct injection, a whole 60 year before it was a thing in modern cars!"* 300SL was considered a "modern car" back in 1950's. I love how people forget that older cars were used to be modern back then. It's like art deco was considered modern back in 1930's, now considered ""old" and "outdated".

[@SuperBackhere]

Also racing version of this car, the 300 slr, had hydraulic operating aero brake system.

[@zeroelus]

Exactly, they drew from very complex but ehm wartime proven technologies from the aero engines Daimler Benz made. The inverted V aero engines are extremely rare, but at least these engines will live on.

[@facemcshooty3046]

As someone who works at valvoline... fuck GDI engines man. They build up SO much carbon inside the engine in comparison to other engines. Almost every car with a GDI engine (mostly Kia and Hyundai) that come in have no oil on the dipstick and very sludgey oil, unless the owner is very timely with their oil changes and fuel system cleanings. I guess if you owned a 300SL you'd be timely with those things though lol

[@SuperBackhere]

@@facemcshooty3046 i just have one question: how many 300 sl engines have you seen that had carbon build up?

[@tallblokesam]

Great video and a truly iconic car. Just to add the 'pop out' door glass can be removed for ventilation but the main reason for the design is for the occupants to able to get out should the car be in a rollover. The gull wings obviously won't open if overturned so at least you can crawl out through the window aperture.

[@iPetrCZ]

I love that Doug has access to any car on this planet and yet the face at the beginning the the testdrive tells you, this car is the one 😀

[@utkarshraval29]

I love the fact that although he knew about the folding steering wheel, he chose to get in awkwardly for all of us, and then folded the steering wheel.

[@james-tennis]

Folding that steering wheel and exposing the wires and stuff just didn't look good so Doug knew better to show the full experience!

[@benbattista5035]

The way Doug casually glanced at the Mclaren that passed at 33:06 had me crying I laughed so hard

[@Gobbbbb]

He's like, pfft, peasant :D

[@tjgadner8896]

Loll

[@ulqviorra]

The 300SL is soo awesome I didn't even noticed the Mclaren

[@MunworthCrowell]

such a pleasure going on a tour of perhaps my favorite car of all time, no less now than when i was a little kid... thanks so much for breaking your only-modern-cars rule for this one

[@snailer06]

Thanks Doug! I've been a fan of the 300 SL for 60 years and learned a couple of new things from you.

[@markrozenberg7959]

“If you know, then you know” kind of also applies to many modern infotainment systems.

[@ChrisRawls]

Underrated comment.

[@MyMarsham]

Except that, for most of those systems, nobody knows.

[@gorogorogoro-chan]

If you're over 50yo sure

[@nicholasw.3488]

But a lot more people know about the infotainment than the importance of the 300sl

[@weirdwalrus5757]

@@gorogorogoro-chan uhhh bro cmon gen z I’m gay and I’m gen z and really gay. Gay z

[@miketeeveedub5779]

There are very few automobiles that are rolling sculptures - this is one of them. Almost 70 years old and still turns heads! Definitely worthy of a 10 for Styling and Cool factor.

[@muskokamike127]

I said up there ^^ that I've never seen one on the road. If I did I'd turn around and follow it. I hate people who take pics of other people's cars but this? Yeah, I'd ask if I could take a pic of it.

[@vegetarianbacon718]

Tbf I think most 70 year old cars would turn heads today 😂. But definitely this one more than others.

[@SlackActionBumble]

He should have given it an 11 on styling

[@Fausto_moh]

i wasn't sure if youd get the chance to drive this car. Im so glad you did. I loved looking at the background to see all the other drivers faces.

[@yaakovneeman4205]

Yes! Nothing's better than Doug and a classic car. I always wait for one of these reviews

[@nikolatesla4877]

Doug in a robbery: “THISSS is a robbery” “Put the money in the bag or you will see the quirks and features of this glock-19.”

[@VMEMotor5]

Come on now, Glock 19 on a 300SL video? That's for the VW Bug video. Should be "Quirks and Features of this P7M8."

[@robertschnobert9090]

@@VMEMotor5 Doug is the type of guy who would NEVER commit a felony like a robbery 🌈

[@joe125ful]

Lol realize Doug talking about guns:):) Iam sure it can be really funny to hear how many quikry features have AK 47 for example.

[@AutismFamilyChannel]

I had a die cast model of this car growing up and it was my favorite along with the Bugatti Royale.

[@1-18-KARmania]

I still have a diecast model of this car! That's why I am so thankful for this review to put it on my website with my model.

[@Car_guy31]

I have a die-cast of it still, alongside Bugatti Type57 SC Atlantic, the other most beautiful car ever made, "ever conceptualized"..😍

[@mcborge1]

Same, made by Burago at 1/18th scale.

[@ply61]

I had one too, a black with german flag stripes with red interior and my dad took it and never saw it again :c

[@twindigo]

Me too, had a collection of Burago cars, loved the classics, 250gto and 58 testarossa. Classic sweeping lines

[@vautrain]

What a dream car! I love those plaid seats. I'd consider myself lucky just to sit in one, let alone drive the machine itself. Amazing!

[@kinkong1961]

I love your views on these classic cars as they are so accurate it proves how much experience you have for all the classic cars you have driven you are one of the few I take seriously as a mechanic and also have driven a number of high-end cars in my time working for the RAC (the royal automobile club for over fifteen years I used to cover the London to brighten rally with some really old classic cars like Packard's model Ts which was so easy to work on compared to some of the steam cars like whites but I loved the days doing it getting them going again most new every nut and bolt of there car and I learned so much from them now I am retired through an accident at work but would be doing it today if I was fit enough The RAC was one of the best jobs I had ever worked for they look after me still.

[@Thinginator]

I met a guy once who used to be a Mercedes mechanic in the 50s, and got to repair 300SLs occasionally. I asked him what it was like to repair a 300SL, and his response was, “Very careful.” That guy later became a Citroen mechanic in the U.S., and everyone knew him as the guy to take any quirky, weird foreign cars to for repair. Apparently he also had a BMW Isetta which he used to ferry parts around. I wish I had more time to talk to him. He had some interesting stories.

[@RastafariBrudda]

That’s awesome. It’s an art to work on these beautiful cars

[@kurtwomack6473]

Shoulda coulda woulda! The Plumbers Nighmare, the hydraulic everything must have been fun.

[@porthose2002]

I've seen a handful of 300SLs over the years, but there is SO MUCH in your review that I'd never realized. I know you typically don't do older cars, but I very much enjoyed this and appreciate your willingness to release a video on it. I learned a great deal that will stay with me when I go to my next Concourse or Auction. THANKS!

[@Gizamalukeix]

The Gullwing is and will continue to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

[@joshuajacome8803]

I just LOVE the amount of metal in the interior. Looks so beautiful, shiny and classy...

[@TheGeorgiaRover]

A friend of the family owned one for years and I got to drive it when I was around 18. He flipped me the keys and said “go ahead, take it for a spin.” I gladly accepted the offer, but was terrified driving it! If I made it over 40 mph, I’d be shocked. Kept thinking what would happen if I crashed it. What a great experience, though. Will never forget it.

[@MrManniG]

I can only imagine how nervous Doug must have been removing that window...

[@BoopBobBeep]

The rubber seal is dropping out too lol.

[@MarcoVenustus]

probably just as much as when he held his newborn

[@muskokamike127]

@@MarcoVenustus To be honest? I bet he was more nervous with the window.

[@abhishekrao1525]

@@muskokamike127 You can always make another baby. But it's going to be hard to find another 300SL window.

[@RobAlpacaflip]

@@abhishekrao1525 babies are replacable but a gullwing isnt lmao

[@jimbodee4043]

Great information on this very recognisable cars. Never was aware the number of differences between the coupe and the roadster.

[@fi-d3319]

You can tell Doug was so excited to be reviewing this car, and it’s kinda adorable.

[@bonzobonanza]

Very wholesome!

[@TigerChamp99]

Now that you have the license to review older cars, you should review a DB5.

[@Robi9944]

Doug is the type of guy who upload a V2 Edit of the gull-wing without telling anyone except for who has the notification turned on

[@yusufffff]

🙌

[@albustanmagic4036]

Sweet video...its so nice to understand that there was an engineer in the early 50ties thinking how to solve the problem with getting propper doors to that tube-based construction...and he figures out the gull wing doors...that are world famous today but nobody remember the name of the engineer having the idea for it. Everything in this car is so well designed. You can see the thinking of the enigineers. 300 SL was a race car that made limitation in confort easy to understand

[@gerard4444]

Very good show Doug, it was my first modelcar, when i was 6 jears old, my dad fiks and made a lot of them…the real car… Nice to see your love for this amazing work of art….

[@galex2000]

I am speechless. What a treat to be able to experience this icon in such detail. Thank you, Doug. You make certain people happier than you'll ever know.

[@AgeraXXX]

Awww these comments are nice to read bro, I couldn't agree with you more

[@james-tennis]

Yes agreed. Never thought I'd see such an iconic car and to see how quirky it is just to get in. And I gotta see what these tubes were made out of, the diagram shown here looked like pvc pipes 🤣

[@Youtubersincebirth]

lol dude you make it sound like Doug took you for a joy ride, it's just a video on the internet.

[@galex2000]

@@KZbinrsincebirth and a joyride it was. :) cheers

[@raylarkin5004]

I second that! I definitely second that!🤗

[@senorcaracortada]

Finally Doug isn't confused about the title of the video.

[@John-ym9ic]

U saw him post that edit video 😂

[@A_Crying_NSX]

"Mercedes 300SL v2" 😂

[@senorcaracortada]

@john haha yes

[@microusb42069]

This is legitimately one of my dream cars. I've always appreciated the design and styling of this particular Mercedes. Even as a child. It's just beautiful.

[@Theextremepessimist]

I absolutely love the “THIS” if you ever stop I won’t be able to continue watching. I love your videos man!!!! By far the very best review channel ever.

[@mopsnuf]

One of the most interesting changes going from Gullwing to Roadster is that the angle of the gears in the gearbox was increased. At lower gear angles, less transmission power loss occurs but a distinct whine is clearly audible - also in the video! Not having the whine is one of the things that make the Roadster relatively most easiest to live with. This underpins most to me that the Gullwing was one of the truest race cars for the road ever. Look up a quick video on straight cut gears if you want to hear a more clear example.

[@donleamon8653]

I guess I’d never given much thought into the parasitic loss in a helical cut gear vs. straight… It was instantly noticiable in the drive.

[@colpitts350]

I remember the whine of this car from Grand Turismo!

[@timcreelman3540]

Mercedes dealer: Doug, how did you like driving the 300 SL? Doug: wonderful, now can I have the deed to my house back?

[@theshadowman1398]

And my wife and child

[@christopherconard2831]

Please stop pointing that gun at my Mom's head.

[@Vivaldi111]

You know you're in something special when people in brand new AMG's are taking videos of you on the road.

[@jimiverson3085]

The second horn button probably goes back to the original Mille Miglia, which was the original 300SLs first race. 1,000 miles over the open roads of Italy at full race speed. Each entry had a driver and a navigator, and the navigator may have been charged with using the horn to get spectators out of the road. The oddball door handles were probably to reduce drag at Le Mans to improve speed on Mulsanne.

[@globaleye8]

Drove one of these in the 60s more than once "enthusiastically" - gearbox like a truck ! On one test drive, my passenger wanted to stop for a packet of cigarettes, I parked into the kerb, he flung the door up and knocked a cyclist clean off of his bike !😁 I think we would have all fallen over backwards at the value of these things today...

[@OM-jt9nk]

these car back in the 60's were top of the line sports car, no ordinary worker or person could ever afford it. An ordinary worker could barely even afford an E200.

[@globaleye8]

@@OM-jt9nk - I was a Mercedes mechanic at the time but to tell the truth, we all lusted over E types ! 😁

[@joaopedrocoimbra]

@@globaleye8 of course you were

[@pramay5116]

@@joaopedrocoimbra What actually was the point of this comment? What reason would he have to lie to random people on the internet?

[@joemcnamara4774]

@@pramay5116 to look cool, some people just do lie, everybody who drives them says theyre fantastic, watch, who is it the f1 driver, who owns one drive it around monaco, thats in like 2017, in the 60s these were like the best druving things you could buy, and he 'knocked a cyclist off his bike' they dont fling up, and theyre hardly wider than the car, that is such a lie, honestly its pathetic anyone would believe this, why he felt the need to put such a fantastic car down is beyond me, he probably doesnt have any car

[@claysmell]

Jerry to Elaine: "hey what happened to your window?" Elaine: "he took ... it ... out."

[@eddiefalcon8316]

What is the cross section of Seinfeld and DeMuro. 😂love it.

[@kevinsorokac7895]

Haha… It? It. … out? Out.

[@Quivex1]

lmao I JUST watched this episode last night xD

[@JDesrosiers1]

Doug's natural abundant enthusiasm is clearly at a different level here!

[@theoriginalJo3l]

Thank you for posting. I smiled during the entire video.

[@ADADIZZLE]

This is THE MOST ICONIC car Doug has reviewed. You’re in the Ralph Lauren, Jay Leno, Tim Allen, Jerry Sinefiel level now. Proud of you big Dawg.

[@farewell_to_normalcy9352]

The 300 Sl and the Jaguar E-type are two of the most beautiful cars ever made. (For that time period of the 50’s-60’s for sure) … let’s even throw a 250 GT Lusso for the hell of it 😂 Excellent video Douglas!

[@avsystem3142]

The Jaguar E-type was contemporary to my high school years. I actually saw them racing in class at Laguna Seca in 1963-64. The body style is still stunning but the narrow track, with the wheels inset way into the wheel wheels, and the stock stance look terribly dated to me now. The SL300 holds up much better in that respect.

[@mrtdejulio]

In Salina Kansas in 1958 my mother and father were looking to buy a used car and it came down to two choices: a 57 vette, or a gull wing mercedes.... They chose the vette, which I can understand... they're both such groovy cars..... they forked over the $2800 for the Corvette and still have it today...with only 50k miles...

[@gunzoqc]

I was really exited for the driving portion of this video! What an exceptional car!!

[@Madara946]

It’s a shame Doug won’t review classic cars. Yes I’ve seen his video on why he won’t. I’m 21 and there’s plenty of other young people who would like to see them.

[@renypayne11]

I'm 21 as well and I agree with you

[@jwalster9412]

I would like to learn about more classic cars.

[@Nebulasecura]

Same

[@DougDeMuro]

Here's a classic car ;)

[@a.e.4156]

Same

[@Auditography]

The most beautiful automobile in the history. Period.

[@LiquidSm0ke]

Geo metro

[@footballfanatic5060]

Agreed

[@DarkestdaysAU]

Jaguar E Type has entered the conversation.

[@biryani_innit9799]

Toyota Prius

[@hugodsd8]

@David Moore It's a fact! 😅

[@Hz-yl7du]

The pinnacle of quality, class and style ! 🇩🇪

[@RandallJT84]

Must've been an absolute honor Doug, to get the dream chance to drive a true mammoth in automotive history/prestige. The 300 SL Gullwing is truly a piece of rolling art. I find great admiration in the old Mercedes Benz. I'm an old soul, trapped in a 37 year old frame. Funny/True Story: My father tried to buy one when he was living in CA back in the late 60's. Sadly, the man declined my father's generous offer. He truly loved these Gullwings. The particular example was Black/Brown interior. His soul was old when it came to vehicles, particularly loving Duesenbergs. Funny enough, his true love was his '69 GTO which he was able to purchase off the showroom floor in Orange CA after he and my mom tied the knot just a week after Neil Armstrong walked on the surface of the moon. He'd do the unthinkable come the summer of '74 when the Gas Crisis was in swing. He traded it in on a new Pinto. Yep, the hatch that would explode if hit just right from the rear ((that's what she said)) His Matador Red/White 4spd. Goat was always the one car he always regretted ridding himself of, even in his dying days. At least he had passions, one of which he'd drive with a smile each and every time.

[@michelel-agha1134]

At last. A review that makes me drop whatever else I’m doing.

[@StewDogR]

"However, if I crashed this car, I'd rather NOT survive..." 😂 Awesome Doug quote for the ages

[@maxpower2181]

Absolutely beautiful!! And way ahead of its time!!

[@TheFourMechanixxx]

I remember I always hated how this looked as a kid and thought it as a MB version of the Beetle. It wasn’t until recently that I changed my opinion of this car and now i find it GORGEOUS, and it make sense that this car would also be reliable for a old classic

[@KingofPotatoPeople]

You’ve got to admire Doug’s dedication…..he advertises Cars And Bids while clearly in need of the toilet

[@federico5220]

The 356 had 130hp only in the rare Carrera 2000 version, which is almost impossible to find and it's worth millions. The regular Porsche 356 had between 40 and 95hp, depending by the model year and the version.

[@Uninfluenceable]

exactly!

[@benty91]

Indeed. And in the year 1954, when the 300 SL was introduced, 356 maximum power was 70 HP

[@federico5220]

@@benty91 it cost only $3455, or $35267 in today's money, less than half of the 300SL. It was totally another category.

[@thedudeabides1443]

Excellent knowledge drop. Thank you! 👍🏻

[@ianwashere12345]

we where blessed by you driving it and giving it a score thank you.

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

Doug the video made me cry. I really want one! ❤️

[@markpatton1214]

I had to laugh at how relieved Doug looked when he was pulling it back into the Mercedes shop and could stop worrying about people crashing into him. Awesome video Doug!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I too was relieved!

[@sourstomacc8596]

I know he doesn't typically do older ones, but another legend of a car I'd kill to see reviewed by him is a Duesenberg. Literally any of them.

[@vulam7943]

Someone else who actually knows what a Duesenberg is!

[@brianmiller1077]

Leno's got 3-4 of them

[@rccoul]

@@vulam7943 I think a lot of people would recognize them but just don't know what they're called. They're amazing

[@Liniik]

Jay Lenio has some videos with his two or three

[@sourstomacc8596]

@@brianmiller1077 Oh trust me, I've seen them, I'd just love Doug drooling over it (and to see him floor it on an on-ramp or something)

[@skizzysmith1146]

way back when I was about 13, a friend's dad had one of these. He was crazy about superchargers, and had a very good mechanic, (who worked at his engineering company) install one. I remember him saying they replaced the hollow gearbox mainshaft with a stronger solid one. He took me for a ride in it and it was the most amazing experience I had ever had! Being a left hand drive car, and in England we drive on the left, he would edge out to see if the road was clear before overtaking. He would ask me if the road was clear! Oh, gosh, I was trembling so much, but we didn't hit anything. Got up to about 130 which was the fastest I had ever been. Of course, everyone at school listened to my account of this with amazement, their Dad's had Morris eights or a bicycle. Amazing car, I can still remember every detail.

[@geoffrobinson7293]

Doug, Only the Twin-Cam Carrara motor of the Porsche 357 produced the 130 HP +/-. The normal 356 motor started with about 60 hp and eventually reached the 95 hp level. All of this era of German sports cars are pretty cool how they developed. The Mercedes were big cars with lots of power, the Porsches were small and light weight. My favorite 356 is a Pre-A 1955 Speedster, RS80820, owned by a friend, but now owned by the Porsche family and in the Porsche museum in Stuttgart. Cool video. The 300 SL is a beautiful car. Thanks.

[@CaptHollister]

I would imagine that the pop-out windows are there mostly as a safety feature. If this car ever ends up on its roof they are the only way to get the occupants out. Considering those two openings in the back of the roof, the leather interior should have been standard, not for extra luxury, but for weather resistance. Can you imagine what happens when rain water inevitably gets in and those plaid seats turn into giant sponges ? Finally an anecdote: when I was taking driving lessons we were shown a film explaining how carburetors work followed by a brief allusion to fuel injection featuring a 300SL. After the film the instructor asked us a trick question: do fuel injected cars need air ? I then got into an argument with him because this older gentleman was convinced that cars with fuel injection did not need air to operate...

[@NBSV1]

I always hate those arguments where someone is technically right in a small way, but completely ignores the actual thing they’re arguing just so they can be right. Compared to a carburetor fuel injection doesn’t need airflow for it to get fuel into the engine. Which I assume is the point they were trying to make. But, in reality it would still need airflow for the engine to actually operate. So, it’s a poor question and simply someone trying to feel like they’re smart.

[@JackSquat54]

I guess a good explanation would be that fuel injection does not need air to introduce the fuel into the engine but it still draws air in for combustion. That would be something both party's could agree on.

[@andrewkontos9181]

Be 1 by

[@OhPhuckYou]

Aaah yes. The 100% fuel ratio.

[@seymourmaupin6395]

I read the delorian was a death trap if you put it on its roof, so I'd be on the side of believing that from a design standpoint.

[@comeberza]

DOUG YOU HAVE TO BREAK THE 80S AND UP RULE OCCASIONALLY. THISSSSS is the review the car needed. Every single car featured in the background is just perfect. This era or mercedes desing is timeless

[@jayshinkle1196]

Doug became a kid in this video and then I did too. Loved this video. Most beautiful car ever.

[@grandmachines]

The key to interesting reviews is to let the product be in the center of all things, not the person. You’ve nailed this one as well Doug! 😊