Why should ordinary doors have all the fun? Mercedes-Benz has been captivating car enthusiasts for decades with its stunning wing doors, a design that blends innovation with head-turning style. Often mistakenly attributed solely to Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz pioneered the gullwing door long before scissor doors became synonymous with Italian supercars. Let’s explore eight memorable Mercedes-Benz models that proudly sport these magnificent doors.
Mercedes-Benz’s journey with wing doors is a testament to their commitment to pushing automotive boundaries. From race tracks to showrooms, these doors have graced some of the most desirable and groundbreaking vehicles ever produced. Here’s a look at the lineage of Mercedes-Benz wing doors, showcasing how this design element has evolved and cemented its iconic status in automotive history.
The Pioneers of the Wing Door: Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1. 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Racer: Born for the Track
The story begins in 1952 with the Mercedes-Benz 300SL race car. Necessity, in this case, was the mother of invention. The 300SL’s lightweight tubular space frame chassis, designed for optimal rigidity, had high sills that made conventional doors impractical. Mercedes engineers ingeniously pivoted the doors at the roof, creating the now-famous gullwing design. This wasn’t just a stylistic choice; it was a functional solution that became an instant design icon.
2. 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL: From Race to Road
Just two years later, the groundbreaking gullwing doors transitioned from the racetrack to public roads with the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL production model. This car wasn’t just about its doors; it was a technological marvel, boasting direct fuel injection and becoming the fastest production car of its time. The gullwing doors, however, remained a defining feature, adding an element of exotic flair and solidifying the 300SL’s legendary status.
Concept and Experimentation: The Mercedes-Benz C 111 Series
3. 1969 Mercedes-Benz C 111: Orange Innovation
Fast forward to 1969, and Mercedes-Benz unveiled the C 111, the first in a series of experimental prototype vehicles. Cloaked in vibrant safety orange, a signature color for Mercedes’ test vehicles, the C 111 was more than just a concept car. It was a rolling laboratory exploring new technologies, including Wankel rotary engines and, of course, striking gullwing doors. Its futuristic design was so captivating it even featured in a Mercedes-Benz commercial decades later in 2015, proving its timeless appeal.
4. 1977 Mercedes-Benz C 111 III: Speed Record Missile
The C 111 lineage culminated in the C 111 III of 1977. This iteration was honed for pure speed and aerodynamic efficiency. Still featuring gullwing doors, the C 111 III was engineered to shatter speed records, specifically for Mercedes-Benz’s new five-cylinder diesel engine. It successfully achieved this, further demonstrating the C 111 program’s commitment to pushing performance boundaries while retaining the iconic door design.
The Supercar Dream and a Research Vision
5. 1991 Mercedes-Benz C 112: The Unfulfilled Supercar
Continuing the C 111’s legacy of innovation, the 1991 Mercedes-Benz C 112 emerged as a fully realized supercar intended to elevate Mercedes-Benz’s sporting image as they re-entered motorsport. Naturally, it featured gullwing doors, reinforcing the connection between this door style and high performance. Despite its advanced technology and stunning design, the C 112 sadly never reached production, remaining a tantalizing “what if” in Mercedes-Benz history.
6. 1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR: A Scissor Door Exception
In a slight detour, the 1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, built for Le Mans homologation, initially seems to break the gullwing trend. Designed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, regulations required a production version. The CLK GTR, a race car for the road, surprisingly adopted Lamborghini-style scissor doors instead of traditional gullwings. Despite this departure, only 25 road-legal versions were made, making it an incredibly rare and extreme machine in Mercedes-Benz’s lineage, albeit with a different door mechanism.
7. 2011 Mercedes-Benz F 125! Research Vehicle: Gullwings for the Future
Mercedes-Benz reaffirmed their love for wing doors with the F 125! Research Vehicle, a concept car unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This futuristic sedan concept employed expansive gullwing doors to showcase its spacious interior and ease of access, particularly to the rear seats. The F 125! demonstrated that gullwing doors weren’t just about sportiness but could also enhance the practicality and visual drama of other vehicle types.
Revival of an Icon: The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
8. 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Gullwings Return to Production
After a fifty-year hiatus in production models, Mercedes-Benz triumphantly resurrected the iconic gullwing doors with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This modern masterpiece was a direct nod to the original 300SL, blending retro design cues with cutting-edge performance. The SLS AMG wasn’t just a sports car; it was a statement, announcing the return of Mercedes-Benz wing doors to the forefront of automotive desirability. While succeeded by the conventionally-doored AMG GT, the SLS AMG has reignited hope for future Mercedes-Benz models to once again grace us with these spectacular doors.
Mercedes-Benz’s enduring fascination with wing doors has cemented their place in automotive history. More than just a design flourish, they represent a blend of innovation, performance, and undeniable visual appeal. As we look to the future, the legacy of Mercedes-Benz wing doors serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary designs are born from a willingness to think outside conventional boundaries – or perhaps, above them.
