Gullwing America 300 SLC, commissioned by an anonymous Eastern European car enthusiast who dreamed of a modern car combining the 1955 SC from Mercedes Benz with the performance of a 2014 SLS, a dream realized by Gullwing America, which created the 300 SLC. The car keeps the big mesh grille of the original, only leaning it back a bit more, while the headlights are bigger and sweep back farther than the original.
The doors are customed to fit the running boards, which flow and merge into the rear fenders. The design includes a retro style “tail”, with petite taillights and a chrome bumper, with the inscription with “Einspritzmotor” (“Injection engine”). The front wheels are smaller than the back ones, measuring 21 ‘’ while the back ones are 22 ‘’.
The ceiling has a removable hardtop, with the shape inspired by that of the 300 SC Coupe. The interior combines carbon fiber used the in center console with the red and black leather seats. The resulting car is an interesting modern take on the vintage Mercedes Benz, and I appreciate the unconventional design process that combined contemporary elements with classical ones, creating a harmonious design.
Lidia Ratoi is a Romanian architect, educator, and researcher, currently serving as Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Architecture. With a background in both architectural design and theory, her work explores the intersections of technology, media, and politics in the built environment. Ratoi’s research focuses on the aesthetics of power, surveillance, and virtuality, with a strong interest in critical and speculative design. She has practiced internationally and exhibited in venues across Europe and Asia. Passionate about challenging conventional narratives, Ratoi integrates digital tools with philosophical inquiry, encouraging experimental approaches to architecture. Her contributions continue to shape emerging discourses in design and architectural pedagogy.