Mercedes-Benz cracks down on illegal 300 SL replica bodies

[Aussie Revhead]

Mercedes-Benz Classic in Germany has destroyed a fiberglass 300 SL replica body seized by customs officials after courts ruled that it is not legal to market this body shape, which is trademarked by Daimler AG; this was recently confirmed by the Stuttgart regional court in a 2010 case (no. 17 O 304/10).

The body shape of the W 198 series gullwing Coupe is considered a work of applied art, and has been under copyright protection for decades. Therefore, it’s determined that anyone building, offering or selling replicas of the vehicle is violating the automaker’s rights, even if those replicas don’t incorporate the logos or trademarks of Daimler AG.



A Mercedes-Benz press release elaborates:

“A case had arisen in which a company based in Germany had built an unlawful replica of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 198 series). The first step in destroying the replica was to separate the chassis from the body. The Mercedes-Benz used-parts centre, which is also responsible for scrapping all Mercedes-Benz prototypes from the development units, then destroyed the body on behalf of Daimler AG. The certified equipment used in the centre includes two presses, each applying over 30 tonnes of pressure. The replica sports car had a fibreglass body weighing precisely 148 kilograms, which the compressor smashed into small pieces. This dramatic end to the unlawful body was officially documented with a signed and stamped ‘confirmation of scrappage’.





A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said that the company is currently working on the issue of the replicas’ legality outside the European Union. So if you’re thinking about buying that gullwing fiberglass mold we featured as a Hemmings Find of the Day a couple months back, you might want to act soon and keep it well hidden.

Hemmings Find of the Day – gullwing mold | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts

sorry if this has been posted im tired and wanted to share this

[hi_ryder]

geez better hope lamborghini dosent start this, it will take half the lambos off the road lol... waste of a nice repro though, looked well done...

[Rufys]

I LOVE this approach...

I mean FFS, if you want a certain car - BUY THAT CAR!!! Don't do a cheesy knock off and pretend your car is something it's not. If you can't afford the car you want, WORK HARDER!!! Or buy a different car that you can afford.

[showbags]

I LOVE this approach...

I mean FFS, if you want a certain car - BUY THAT CAR!!! Don't do a cheesy knock off and pretend your car is something it's not. If you can't afford the car you want, WORK HARDER!!! Or buy a different car that you can afford.

That car is far from being a " cheesey knock off? For some people it doesn't matter how hard they work, they will never be able to afford a 300 SL gullwing.

[Rufys]

For some people it doesn't matter how hard they work, they will never be able to afford a 300 SL gullwing.

Then they should never buy one, or a replica. Simple.

[SavVYute]

Then they should never buy one, or a replica. Simple.

Gees thats a bit harsh Rufys

If you wanted to build yourself a fibreglass kit car then this one would have looked the goods eh?
It would have been right up there with the Ford Cobra replicas.

[Rufys]

It would have been right up there with the Ford Cobra replicas.

Also shouldn't be allowed!

[Tim Smtih]

Then they should never buy one, or a replica. Simple.

I can certainly understand why people on this forum don't like you.

[SavVYute]

Also shouldn't be allowed!

You're a cheeky monkey Rufys!

[SavVYute]

It would make a great shell for a drag car.

[showbags]

For some people it doesn't matter how hard they work, they will never be able to afford a 300 SL gullwing.

Then they should never buy one, or a replica. Simple.

So the GT40 replica I'm building should be crushed because I can't afford the 3million dollar price tag of a concourse original?

[ari666]

I LOVE this approach...

I mean FFS, if you want a certain car - BUY THAT CAR!!! Don't do a cheesy knock off and pretend your car is something it's not. If you can't afford the car you want, WORK HARDER!!! Or buy a different car that you can afford.

lol, this coming from the guy having a sook that camaros "are took expensive"


you got any clue what an original 300SL is worth? if this was YOUR car of choice, then itll be all "boo hoo i cant afford a car that i like and now they are destroying replicas"

[TrikkBen]

I LOVE this approach...

I mean FFS, if you want a certain car - BUY THAT CAR!!! Don't do a cheesy knock off and pretend your car is something it's not. If you can't afford the car you want, WORK HARDER!!! Or buy a different car that you can afford.

lol, this coming from the guy having a sook that camaros "are took expensive"


you got any clue what an original 300SL is worth? if this was YOUR car of choice, then itll be all "boo hoo i cant afford a car that i like and now they are destroying replicas"

Exactly, I remember that dribble. Bloody hypocrite.. Jog on Rufys

[Nitronic_12]

If only the car manufacterer that are having their car models copied and sold as cheap knock-offs in China could be dealt with similarly. I can understand a replica, but I can't understand a cheap knock off.

[ari666]

two of those cheap knock offs were already cheap knock offs... the other one isnt far off either

[Reaper]

I LOVE this approach...

I mean FFS, if you want a certain car - BUY THAT CAR!!! Don't do a cheesy knock off and pretend your car is something it's not. If you can't afford the car you want, WORK HARDER!!! Or buy a different car that you can afford.

Meh - I don't have any problem making replicas of old designs that have been out of production for decades and would happily own a GT40 or AC Cobra replica any day. To me, putting one of those old classic bodies on a modern chassis & drivetrain would be just about the ultimate.

Reaper

[Reaper]

So the GT40 replica I'm building should be crushed because I can't afford the 3million dollar price tag of a concourse original?

A mate of mine has a GT replica - magnificent thing. I'd be interested to see a thread of your build. Pretty sure many others would be too.

Reaper

[elmaso]

So the GT40 replica I'm building should be crushed because I can't afford the 3million dollar price tag of a concourse original?

A mate of mine has a GT replica - magnificent thing. I'd be interested to see a thread of your build. Pretty sure many others would be too.

Reaper

+1 i wouldn't mind to see how thats going to go together.

[minux]

So the GT40 replica I'm building should be crushed because I can't afford the 3million dollar price tag of a concourse original?

Well I would say crush it if those images were actually photos of your build that you had taken.

Maybe you fly your private jet to and from the build to take photos?

[Rufys]

I can certainly understand why people on this forum don't like you.

You really think I give a flying #### what people think of me on an online forum?

So the GT40 replica I'm building should be crushed because I can't afford the 3million dollar price tag of a concourse original?

Yes. Absolutely. It's not going to be real. Just another fake. *yawn*

lol, this coming from the guy having a sook that camaros "are took expensive"

Nope - not me. Never had a sook they were too expensive. Expressed how pissed off I was that something that's sub $40,000 in the USA is $100,000+ in Australia (which is still ridiculous). But you keep being wrong if that's what you like.

[minux]

Yes. Absolutely. It's not going to be real. Just another fake. *yawn*

FYI, the photos showbags posted were not of his build, I would be hesitant to think he is actually building one at all :/

[Rufys]

FYI, the photos showbags posted were not of his build, I would be hesitant to think he is actually building one at all :/

Hahahaha... Gold!

Fair enough. Typical JC crap then.

[showbags]

So the GT40 replica I'm building should be crushed because I can't afford the 3million dollar price tag of a concourse original?

Well I would say crush it if those images were actually photos of your build that you had taken.

Maybe you fly your private jet to and from the build to take photos?

Ahhh, my bad. Should have put a disclaimer " photos for illustration purposes only". Images were taken from the
DVD instruction manual. Mine nowhere near that far along yet.

[scouser king]

Holden/Hsv should crush all vy/vz executives with fake clubsport body kits made out of fiberglass .Oh this is coming from some one who use to drive a vp with a GTS kit on it as well.

[ari666]

Nope - not me. Never had a sook they were too expensive. Expressed how pissed off I was that something that's sub $40,000 in the USA is $100,000+ in Australia (which is still ridiculous). But you keep being wrong if that's what you like.

ok mate, i must be wrong....