Which German car is famous for its upward-opening 'gullwing' doors and the 300 SL name?

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is the German car famous for its upward-opening gullwing doors and 300 SL name. Its roof-hinged doors became one of the most recognizable design features in automotive history.

The 300 SL began as the W194 racing car in 1952, when Mercedes-Benz revived its competition program after World War II. Its tubular space frame was strong and lightweight, but the high side sections left little room for conventional doors. Mercedes engineers therefore hinged the doors at the roof, creating the gullwing shape that recalled a bird’s spread wings.

The road-going W198 version debuted in 1954. It used a 3.0-liter, fuel-injected straight-six engine and was among the fastest production cars of its era. The distinctive doors were visually dramatic but also created practical compromises: the high sills made entry difficult, and the design was unsuitable for a conventional convertible.

The 300 SL is sometimes confused with the later Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which also used gullwing doors. The SLS was a modern tribute, while the original 300 SL was the pioneering postwar sports car. Mercedes replaced the coupé with the 300 SL Roadster in 1957, using conventional side-hinged doors.