Patrick Devine 1956 300SL ‘GULLWING’

THE CAR WAS originally bought new overseas by an Englishman, Percy Revelly, from the South Coast of England. He came out to Adelaide (in those days left hand drive cars were allowed in South Australia) but he went back to England and sold it to someone in Sydney from a Mercedes dealership. They had it converted to right-hand drive, which was completed by Bill Buckle who is well known in motoring circles. That car then had a few more owners, but was in the middle of a complete strip-down restoration, when I bought it in 1984. After buying it in that condition at auction, I completely rebuilt it myself with a little bit of professional help along the way when needed. When I was 9 years old I had a model of it, back in about 1957. At the time I didn’t know much about it, except the model, back then magazines like UniqueCars weren't around; there was hardly anything except the daily newspaper. As time went by I learnt what its heritage was and became drawn to it. My wife Ros, when she went away would bring me back a model of one and say it’s the only one you’re ever going to get. This kind of incentive, and a great affinity for the car, helped me finally get one.