Why do cars not all open like this? Gullwing doors, also known as wing doors, are more than just a design quirk; they represent a blend of innovation, style, and a touch of the extraordinary in automotive engineering. While often associated with Lamborghini’s scissor doors, the history of top-hinged gullwing doors is deeply rooted in Mercedes-Benz’s pioneering spirit, predating Lamborghini’s scissor-style debut by decades.
Let’s delve into the history and celebrate 8 memorable Mercedes-Benz models that proudly sport these magnificent gull-wing doors.
1. 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Racer: The Origin of an Icon
Mercedes-Benz first ventured into the innovative world of gullwing doors in 1952 with the introduction of the 300SL race car. This wasn’t merely a stylistic choice; the high sill of the car’s lightweight tubular space frame necessitated an unconventional door design. The upward-opening doors provided practical access for the driver in a racing environment, marking the birth of the Mercedes-Benz gullwing legacy.
2. 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL: From Track to Showroom
Just two years later, the groundbreaking gullwing doors transitioned from the racetrack to public roads with the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL production model. Retaining the race car’s innovative door design, the 300SL coupe became an instant icon. Its stunning aesthetics, combined with its impressive performance, cemented the gullwing doors as a symbol of automotive excellence and a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz innovation.
3. 1969 Mercedes-Benz C 111: Pushing Boundaries of Design
The late 1960s saw Mercedes-Benz explore futuristic designs with the C 111 series of prototype vehicles. The first of these, the 1969 Mercedes-Benz C 111, continued the gullwing tradition. Painted in safety orange, the customary color for Mercedes-Benz experimental vehicles, the C 111 showcased advanced materials and rotary engine technology, wrapped in a striking, gullwing-door coupe body. Its forward-thinking design even led to a feature in a 2015 television commercial, proving its timeless appeal.
4. 1977 Mercedes-Benz C 111 III: A Speed Record Breaker
Continuing the C 111 lineage, the 1977 Mercedes-Benz C 111 III emerged as a high-speed marvel, still featuring the signature gullwing doors. Optimized for velocity, this iteration was instrumental in setting a world speed record for Mercedes-Benz’s new five-cylinder diesel engine. The C 111 III demonstrated that gullwing doors could be part of a vehicle engineered for ultimate performance and aerodynamic efficiency.
5. 1991 Mercedes-Benz C 112: The Supercar That Never Was
The legacy of the C 111 test series found a spiritual successor in the 1991 Mercedes-Benz C 112. This exotic supercar, equipped again with gullwing doors, was intended to elevate Mercedes-Benz’s sports car image as the brand re-entered motorsport. Despite its advanced features and striking design, the C 112, unfortunately, never made it to production, remaining a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been.
6. 1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR: A Scissor Door Exception
As Mercedes-Benz returned to motorsports, aiming for victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, regulations required entrants to have production car counterparts. This led to the creation of road-legal race cars like the V12-powered CLK GTR. Interestingly, the CLK GTR deviated from the traditional gullwing, adopting Lamborghini-style scissor doors instead. To meet racing homologation rules, Mercedes-Benz produced 25 units of this street-legal, scissor-door supercar.
7. 2011 Mercedes-Benz F 125! Research Vehicle: Gullwings for the Future
Mercedes-Benz recognized the enduring allure of gullwing doors and incorporated them into the F 125! Research Vehicle concept, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This concept sedan utilized wide-opening gullwing doors to showcase its spacious interior and rear seating, highlighting a potential design direction for future luxury sedans while reviving the iconic door style.
8. 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: The Modern Gullwing Revival
After a fifty-year hiatus in production models, Mercedes-Benz triumphantly reintroduced gullwing doors with the 2013 SLS AMG. This modern sports car echoed the spirit of the original 300SL, combining breathtaking performance with the visual drama of gullwing doors. Although the SLS AMG has been succeeded by the conventionally-doored AMG GT, its recent production run offers hope for future Mercedes-Benz models to once again embrace the iconic wing door design.
From their functional origins in racing to their stylistic resurgence in modern supercars, Mercedes-Benz gullwing doors have consistently represented innovation and design excellence. This unique feature remains a captivating aspect of Mercedes-Benz’s rich automotive heritage, eagerly anticipated by enthusiasts for potential future appearances.
