After 213 days of meticulous research and construction, a group of young people in Dak Lak including Huynh Kim Dai and Pham Quoc Binh have completed the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL from raw materials and equipment.
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A close-up of the homemade Mercedes-Benz SL-300 by the young group in Dak Lak. Video: Bazan TV. |
Previously, they had caught the attention of the international media with elaborate projects such as the Mercedes-Benz G63, Rolls-Royce Boat Tail made from cardboard, chopper-style motorcycles from Honda Super Cub, and electric Porsche 918 Spyder.
Porsche 918 Spyder previously made by Huynh Kim Dai. Photo: Bazan TV.
Known as the greatest car of the 1950s, the Mercedes-Benz SL 300 has a unique and classy style. At the same time, it is one of the rarest products ever produced with only about 3,258 units in the world.
Mercedes-Benz SL 300 original version.
The original version is equipped with a 3.0-liter naturally aspirated I6 engine producing 222 horsepower, along with the world’s first mass-produced fuel injection system. This transmission system is combined with a 4-speed manual gearbox. The car can reach a top speed of 260 km/h.
The special features of the car become the inspiration for the young group in Dak Lak to invest their time and effort in creating a meticulously crafted homemade version of the Mercedes-Benz SL 300.
The special feature of the “homemade” version lies in the handcrafted nature of the product. The group of amateur craftsmen personally manufactured up to 95% of the parts. Dai and his team carefully calculated the weight of the frame to establish the chassis and wheelbase system.
After constructing the rough frame based on technical specifications, Dai proceeded with the shaping process using clay. To achieve the correct shape like the original, Kim Dai and his colleagues spent a lot of time.
Sharing with Tiền Phong , the young man said: “The most difficult stage is the shaping of the car because all the details are curves, so it is difficult to adjust them evenly on both sides. Without much modern technology, I solved it by adjusting with the naked eye and some balancing tricks”.
After that, Dai used fiberglass combined with composite glue to complete the exterior of the car. Details such as the radiator grille or the logo of the Mercedes-Benz brand were handcrafted by the group of craftsmen. For these details, Kim Dai chose materials such as iron and aluminum to save production costs.
The young team in Dak Lak paid special attention to the characteristic doors of the Mercedes 300 SL. The group wanted to design the doors to resemble the original as much as possible, even in small details such as glass and door handles. According to the owner’s sharing, the car doors weigh up to 120 kg. Therefore, Kim Dai used a power-assisting device to support the opening of the car doors.
Next, the interior of the car stands out with red leather seats and a white dashboard. The technical clock dial is chrome-plated, made from PVC tubes and mica. The steering wheel is handcrafted by Dai, along with turn signal details decorated with bullet shells, creating a unique touch.
Unlike the previously completed Lamborghini Huracan LP610, the group of young people from the bazan red land did not use the suspension and engine systems from old cars.
Instead, all of the engines and chassis systems were personally handled by Kim Dai and the team of craftsmen. In particular, he invested in a differential controller for the electric engine. It is known that when fully charged, the car can travel within a range of 40-50 km.
After completing it, Huynh Kim Dai and Pham Quoc Binh are very satisfied with the appearance of the product. The group of young people said they would use the car for display to satisfy their passion. When asked, Kim Dai estimated the value of the car at about 150 million VND.
