Since we’re not all that into classic Mercedes here at BangShift, the fact that we’re talking about one today means that it is pretty special. A Canadian Mercedes restoration expert named Rudi Koniczek recently found one of 29 specially built factory racing Gullwings sitting in a Santa Monica, California garage, where it had been on jackstands for the last 40 years after the owner started to wrench on it and then quit.
The car was built with an alloy body, plexi-glass windows, and several other racing related features. In short, it is the German equivalent of a Hurst Hemi Dart or Barracuda. Examples of these cars have sold for more than $2.5 million at auction, so this could be the most valuable barn find of them all.
The car probably could not have ended in better hands. Rudi Koniczek is recognized around the world as one of the premier Mercedes restorers. The most visibile validation of his work? More than one car that he has restored is on display at the Mercedes factory museum in Germany. If it passes muster at a place that only perfection is accepted, we’re thinking he’s the real deal!
Koniczek learned of the Santa Monica Gullwing more than 20 years ago. No one knew it was an alloy body machine at the time, but when he finally got permission from the owner to look at and ultimately buy the car he brought a simple tool with him to check it out. A magnet. When that did not stick to the body, he knew that the last of the 29 allot bodied Gullwings had been found. The car is #21 of 29 constructed.
Is this the greatest barn find of all time?
(Alloy body Mercedes Gullwing Found in Santa Monica, California)
Personally, I’d love to have it.
Sure it wasn’t Sierra Vista, AZ? That sure looks like a garage Squirrel would have.
I know Mercedes purists would freak, but I reckon there’s a nice hot rod sitting there – nice turbo V8, revised running gear etc, keep pretty faithful to original with interior and body – in fact, imagine polished alloy bodywork…..drool…
my second thought seeing the picture was “damn, what a great old electronics collection!”
You can have the german pos, I’ll take the electronics stuff around it.