Gull Wing Group and Mercedes-Benz USA Recreate Historical San Francisco Image for 50 Year Milestone

The Gull Wing Group reaches its golden anniversary and is marking the 50 year milestone with Mercedes-Benz USA by recreating one of the group’s most famous photos, taken in 1961 at Fort Point Park overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

In honor of the Gull Wing Group’s milestone, Mercedes-Benz USA is
donating 125 scholarships to provide children with the opportunity to
participate in the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s unique
summer educational programs designed to accentuate personal
responsibility and initiative, and encourage children to pursue
preservation in the future of America’s national parks.

“The Gull
Wing vehicle represents Mercedes-Benz leadership in style, design and
performance and this anniversary allows us a moment to celebrate the
history of that legacy created over fifty years ago.” said Steve Cannon,
Vice President of Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. “As we look back, we
also have to look to the future and that was our intention with the
donation to provide San Francisco kids with the opportunity to attend
summer camp through the Recreation and Parks Department program.”

Founded
in San Francisco, California on June 16, 1961 The Gull Wing Group, led
by Ernie Spitzer, was comprised of eighteen 300 SL Coupe owners.
Currently over 600 driving enthusiasts dedicated to sharing their
knowledge and enjoyment of the 300 SL belong to the Group. On June 10,
2011 – almost 50 years after an original photo was taken to mark the
beginning of the Gull Wing Group’s existence – close to 100 members
comprised of 24 Gull Wings and 14 Roadsters, are recreating the image by
revisiting the very same spot in Fort Point Park, a National Historic
Site run by the U.S. National Park Service.

“Donation such as
this one helps San Francisco Recreation and Parks to fulfill its mission
of providing enriching recreational activities to all San Franciscans.”
said Phil Ginsburg, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s
General Manager. “Our scholarships serve more than 2, 000 San Francisco
children and families every year.”

With only 1400 Mercedes-Benz
300 SL “Gull Wings” produced from 1954-1957, it is one of the most
sought after collectible vehicles around the world. Known for its iconic
“Gull Wing” doors and fascinating design, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was
technologically years ahead of its time with components such as a
direction injection system. In 2011, Mercedes-Benz introduced the SLS
AMG, a car inspired by the 1954 300 SL and in the same vein as the
orginal, ushered in a new era of supercar leadership.

The
history of Mercedes-Benz stretches beyond the Gull Wing Group and this
year it is celebrating 125 years of innovation and the anniversary of
Carl Benz 1886 patent three-wheel motorwagen with rear-mounted engine,
which laid the foundation for motorized transportation that changed the
world as we know it today.

Editor’s Note:

Fort Point was
built by U.S. Army Engineers during the peak of the Gold Rush between
1853 and 1861, as a defense system to protect San Francisco against
naval attack. The fort stands at the base of the 4,200 foot long Golden
Gate Bridge, towering 746 feet high. Though Fort Point never faced
battle, the structure signifies close to 150 years of military history
and architecture.