Kansas man finally bought his dream Mercedes 300SL and it immediately turned into a nightmare
Published on Jan 24, 2026 at 8:55 AM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Jan 22, 2026 at 8:11 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Buying a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is supposed to be a fairy tale moment, but for one Kansas man, getting his dream car was just the beginning of a nightmare.
A new VINWiki video followed Tyler Hoover, best known for his Hoovie’s Garage YouTube channel, as he finally landed the car he’s obsessed over since he was 16 years old.
First seen at a Barrett-Jackson auction in his teens, the Gullwing represented everything magical about classic cars and automotive history.
Decades later, that childhood dream became reality… and chaos followed shortly after.
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The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is worth more than a Bugatti Veyron
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, built between 1954 and 1957, is widely regarded as a contender for the world’s first true supercar.
Originally developed as a race car, it only became a production model thanks to automobile importer Max Hoffman, who convinced Mercedes-Benz it would sell.
He was right, and today the Gullwing is one of the most valuable and iconic classics on the planet.
In the early 2000s, you would need hundreds of thousands of dollars to get your hands on one, but these days, you’d need several million dollars.
In fact, even a replica will cost you more than a $430,000 Ferrari Purosangue.
Hoover never thought he’d own one, especially after seeing rare alloy-bodied examples fetch up to $10 million.
However, in the VINWiki video, he explained that the opportunity came unexpectedly through a complex trade.
Looking to escape the eye-watering service costs of his Bugatti Veyron, Hoover worked with VINWiki host Ed Bolian to work out a deal.
It ultimately involved trading both the Veyron and a Ferrari 599 for a 1955 silver 300SL Gullwing.
If that sounds like a pretty good deal to you, well, you’ll be right – but there’s a catch.
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing hadn’t run properly in over a decade, so reviving it won’t be easy.
Still, Hoover couldn’t say no, even knowing that reviving a fuel-injected 1950s icon wouldn’t be cheap.
The Gullwing was sent to the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, where years of sitting revealed leaks, fuel system issues, and brake problems.
Thankfully, the specialists got it road-ready in time for a 300SL rally through Utah and Colorado.
Hoover finally experienced the magic, driving his dream car over 1,000 miles and falling completely in love.
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He has no regrets despite the setbacks
Naturally, that’s when things went wrong.
A handbrake mishap cooked the brake drums, damaged freshly refinished wheels, and triggered another expensive repair visit.
Later, in an almost comically painful twist, Hoover managed to dent the Gullwing’s iconic door while moving it out of his house after displaying it under his Christmas tree.
For a car worth millions, even small mistakes come with terrifying consequences.
Despite the setbacks, Hoover doesn’t regret his decision to get the car.
Even if it hasn’t been smooth sailing thus far, he still managed to own the dream car that inspired him as a teenager.
And for him, that’s still worth it.
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Jason joined the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in April 2025 as a Content Writer.As part of the growing editorial team working in Australia, and in synergy with team members in Dubai, the UK, and elsewhere in the world, he helps keep the site running 24/7, injecting his renowned accuracy and energy into every shift.
