If you’re on the hunt for a standout late-1980s Mercedes-Benz 300CE, here’s something that might pique your interest. How about an incredibly rare custom variant equipped with gullwing doors? Your chance has arrived as RM Sotheby’s is set to auction the Boschert B300 Gullwing next month in Munich.
This eye-catching coupe is the brainchild of Hartmut Boschert. Captivated by the tuner Styling-Garage’s 500SGS Gullwing from the earlier part of the decade, the German engineer embarked on creating his own version using the W124-generation 300CE designed by Bruno Sacco. However, this project was more than just a simple door replacement. Boschert performed extensive surgery on the car’s roof structure, shortened the wheelbase by almost 10 inches, and swapped out the front end with that of an R129 SL Class.
The result was the B300 Gullwing, finished in a shimmering Bornite hue and proudly adorned with unique Boschert badging to ensure it stood out from stock Mercedes vehicles. Boschert also made interior enhancements, replacing the front seats with those from the SL-Class and covering them, along with the rear bench, in two-tone purple leather.
Boschert’s touch extended to the powertrain as well. The B300 Gullwing retains the 300CE’s 3.2-liter inline-six engine but now boasts twin turbochargers, elevating the output from 180 hp to 283 hp, according to the auction house. While there’s no mention of the transmission, the stock 300CE came with a five-speed manual gearbox. This vehicle appears to be in excellent condition, having received approximately $30,000 in repair and detailing work earlier this year.
In an attempt to generate interest in his creation, Boschert presented the B300 at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, it seems that his efforts did not lead to mass production. Originally planning to manufacture 300 units of the B300, he ended up building only a handful, with this particular model believed to be the sole one featuring gullwing doors. This exclusivity adds to the allure, and RM Sotheby’s estimates a sale price between $265,000 and $315,000 when it goes under the hammer on November 25. While this might sound substantial to some, it’s considerably less than what more renowned Mercedes gullwings command in the market.
