Mini Wooden Mercedes 300 SL Would Make Gepetto Proud

The automotive industry is full of great examples of craftsmanship. Ever seen a life-size clay model of a pre-production car? Or the pinstriping on a Rolls-Royce? Sometimes, craftsmanship can be seen from outside the big OEMs. This is a great example. It’s a miniature wooden Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, and it’s nearly as detailed as the real thing.

This Pinocchio 300 SL is certainly a lot cheaper than a real-deal 300 SL. It’s also an interesting look at how things used to be done. There was a time not so long ago when sculpting a car from wood or fiberglass was the most cost-effective way to see how a car would appear in three dimensions. We’re betting Mercedes even did it for the SL, even though cars like the current Mercedes-AMG SL 63 are modeled on computers instead.

The “car” started life as two huge blocks of wood. Eventually, those blocks were shaved down into the car you see above, bit by bit. First, the wheels and body are outlined, with an almost EV-like skateboard chassis forming the base. Then, Woodworking Art uses a bandsaw to remove bits at a time until a rough shape is visible. In order to get the wheels just so, a lathe is used to make them perfectly symmetrical.

But the details are where it’s at on this project car. A number of very mini, very detailed Mercedes logos are made, from the hubcaps to the hood ornament. A realistic-looking engine bay also features, which was carved out of the wood SL’s body with a chisel. But it wouldn’t be a Gullwing without the doors, which are both hinged and feature wood painted to look like glass. The windshield even has little wood wipers.

While there’s no fitted luggage set to sell on Bring a Trailer for a small fortune, the interior is incredibly detailed. The leather pattern is a dead ringer for the real thing, and there’s another 3-pointed star on the steering wheel, which features the same “chrome” trim as the real thing. The artist even got the shape of the gearshift right.

It’s an incredibly impressive display of skill. Perhaps Mercedes ought to commission a few more classic models for display in their museum. This 300 SL certainly belongs in one, right alongside its larger, more metallic counterpart.