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Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 3:09 pm
by Mitsuru
Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled After Shop Mechanics Take It For A Joy Ride

A mechanic wrecked a classic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé during a test
drive in Germany, Der Spiegel reports.

The elite sports car, one of only 1400, was "completely destroyed" with estimated
damages of more than $830,000.

The 26-year-old and his 19-year-old apprentice from Mechatronics — a high-profile
Mercedes workshop — were unharmed after their joyride north of Stuttgart went
sour.

Police said the speed limit of about 55 mph "was not observed, obviously," and the
two seat car with 4-speed manual transmission went off the side of the road and
rolled over.

The 300 SL was unveiled in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show
in New York and was voted “Sports car of the Century” in 1999. The distinctive gull
wing version was only available from March 1955 to 1957.

The car is best known for being the first to inject fuel directly into the cylinders,
making it the world's fastest production car of its time.

Der Spiegel notes that the owner of the 300 SL remained calm when informed. Both
the car and the garage are insured against such cases, and GTspirit notes that the
vehicle has a chance to be restored.


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Story from
http://www.businessinsider.com/super-ra ... ide-2013-3

Do you know who is working on your car?

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 3:44 pm
by rich.
a similar thing happened here a few years ago with a porsche 911, the owner left his car to be repaired & the young mechanic & his mate went for a joyride killing themselves & two pensioners at the same time... sad

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 3:48 pm
by Richard Moss
Image
Given the rarity of the car, that looks perfectly rebuildable
Mitsuru wrote:Do you know who is working on your car?
yes - me :)

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:13 pm
by JPB
Pah! That'll buff out. :D

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 7:16 pm
by megadethmaniac
Seen worse on the road!

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:23 pm
by jimmyybob
Thats OK bring it to the UK and it wont even need an MOT. :shock:

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:15 pm
by Rootes1725cc
I notice the vehicle is wearing spinners "before" the crash and hub caps "after".
Attempting to swap the wheel embellishments at speed is obviously beyond the capabilities of Mercedes mechanics - pah, rank amateurs.

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:47 pm
by rich.
Rootes1725cc wrote:I notice the vehicle is wearing spinners "before" the crash and hub caps "after".
Attempting to swap the wheel embellishments at speed is obviously beyond the capabilities of Mercedes mechanics - pah, rank amateurs.
well spotted! :lol:

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:21 pm
by jimmyybob
Are we playing spot the difference because the steering wheel is also a different colour.

Re: Super Rare Mercedes Gets Totaled By Shop Mechanics

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:38 pm
by JPB
The first one has amber front indicators.