Mercedes 355 SL Replica Based On An SL 55 AMG

Mercedes 355 SL reimagines one of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic designs using an SLK55 AMG as its backbone—uniting classic styling with 421 horsepower of contemporary performance.
 

A Modern Heart Beneath a Classic Shape
The original Mercedes-Benz 300 SL remains one of the most coveted cars ever made, but its seven-figure price keeps most admirers at a distance. That’s where the 355 SL enters the picture, a meticulous restomod that channels the 300 SL’s iconic design while hiding the bones of a Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG beneath its vintage shell.
 
Designer Roots and Construction
Created by Alan Derosier, whose past work includes collaborations with Gemballa and Radford, the 355 SL showcases both design sensitivity and technical ambition. Derosier’s goal was clear: to create a car that could be mistaken for a genuine Gullwing at a glance, yet deliver the reliability and performance of a modern AMG. The result, now listed for $299,950, sits somewhere between homage and reinvention—a unique middle ground for enthusiasts who want the style without the fragility or astronomical cost of the original.
 

Power and Performance
Despite its vintage-inspired exterior, the 355 SL’s heart is pure AMG. The car retains the SLK55’s 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8, producing 421 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. To sharpen handling, it’s equipped with KW adjustable coilovers, improving ride quality and cornering precision beyond what the stock SLK offered. This setup gives the restomod the stability and responsiveness expected of a high-performance modern roadster, something no original 300 SL could match.
 
Details That Sell the Illusion
The car’s deep black paintwork departs from the silver tones often associated with classic Gullwings, yet the color adds a sharper, more contemporary look that doesn’t clash with the retro silhouette. Every curve and contour has been faithfully recreated, the long hood, the low stance, and of course, the signature Gullwing doors that define the SL’s legend. It’s an uncanny reproduction from nearly every angle, offering the illusion of a million-dollar collectible without the fragility or upkeep.
 

Inside the Cabin
Open those iconic doors, and the spell partially breaks. The interior remains largely SLK, with its modern dashboard and center console, though Derosier has customized elements like the seats, which omit traditional headrests to better fit the 1950s aesthetic. It’s a blend of eras, part retro dream, part modern cockpit, functional, familiar, and livable in daily use.
 
A Driven Classic
Unlike many showpiece restomods that live sheltered lives, this particular example shows signs of real-world enjoyment. With 69,500 miles (111,800 km) on the odometer and a clean California title, it’s been used as a proper car rather than a static display. That mileage suggests it delivers not only on looks but also on drivability, proof that this Gullwing tribute isn’t afraid of the open road.
 
Between Dream and Reality
An original 300 SL can command nearly $2 million, while a used SLK55 AMG might sell for under $30,000. The 355 SL’s price lands in between, yet it offers a unique proposition: the romance of the Gullwing with the performance and reliability of AMG engineering. As restomods continue to blur the lines between heritage and modernity, this one stands out as both a tribute and a reinterpretation, a car that honors the past without being bound by it.