A junkyard Mercedes, a dream, and a full Gullwing build from scratch
- It all started with a junkyard Mercedes using a Mercedes SLK platform
- The build has fully functional Gullwing doors and hand-shaped bodywork
- This replica 300 SL looks incredible, but it’s more than just beautiful
Published on May 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM (UTC-4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on May 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A junkyard Mercedes has been turned into a replica 300 SL with Gullwing doors by building the entire restomod project on a Mercedes SLK platform.
The replica 300 SL merges classic styling with modern performance, creating a unique and usable interpretation of an icon.
With working Gullwing doors and a body modeled after the original, this junkyard Mercedes is anything but ordinary.
The use of a Mercedes SLK donor brings reliability and practicality into the tribute.
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The team behind the junkyard Mercedes transformation is Not Just Campers, a workshop known for custom camper van conversions.
They took their fabrication knowledge and shifted focus to an entirely different kind of challenge: building a replica 300 SL.
Their approach used a Mercedes SLK R170 as the foundation. It was chosen for its compact dimensions, V6 powertrain, and rear-wheel drive layout.
This allowed them to preserve the spirit of the 1950s design while relying on a dependable, modern mechanical setup.
Much of the appeal in the replica 300 SL lies in its silhouette, and that’s where the builders delivered.
The Gullwing doors were custom-engineered to function just like the originals. And the entire body was shaped from scratch to resemble the iconic coupe.
Using the Mercedes SLK’s structural core, the team created a new skin that stays true to the proportions and curves of the 300 SL.
The junkyard Mercedes underwent a total transformation, down to every panel and joint.
This restomod project is more than just an exterior tribute, though.
Underneath the bodywork, the Mercedes SLK mechanicals provide day-to-day drivability and comfort that the original 300 SL never had.
The interior combines vintage cues with subtle modern upgrades, giving the car a usable layout while staying visually authentic.
The team paid careful attention to balancing design accuracy with functional upgrades, allowing the junkyard Mercedes to handle like a modern car.
This replica 300 SL demonstrates that automotive legends don’t always start in factories.
By using a junkyard Mercedes and transforming it through a well-executed restomod project, Not Just Campers proved that passion, skill, and creativity can produce something genuinely special.
With a Mercedes SLK underbody, classic design, and working Gullwing doors, the build offers a bridge between old-school style and modern performance.
It’s a love letter to one of the greatest sports cars of all time, reborn for today’s roads.
The transformation of a junkyard Mercedes into a replica 300 SL with Gullwing doors shows what’s possible with vision and craftsmanship.
Using the Mercedes SLK as a foundation allowed for reliable, drivable performance wrapped in an iconic shape.
This restomod project doesn’t just honor the past, it reinterprets it for modern use, and it’s a testament to automotive ingenuity and the timeless appeal of the Gullwing.
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