Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Rally Roadster, Dark Brown

Not every 300 SL Roadster ended up in a heated garage. This one left the factory as an ordinary production car in dark blue, was later repainted a deep chocolate brown, and has spent its later years on the historic rally circuit: the Ennstal-Classic in the Styrian mountains, the Classic Adelaide in Australia and the Colorado Grand in the Rocky Mountains. For that work it gained tall twin roll hoops behind the seats, big auxiliary lamps ahead of the grille and a side exhaust that, in CMC's words, is barely noticeable until the engine starts, and then very loud. Underneath is the same fuel-injected three-litre six and single-pivot swing axle with which the Roadster went into production in 1957.

CMC's model wears the car's accumulated history: a 2007 Ennstal-Classic plate from Gröbming and Mercedes-Benz Museum script on the bonnet, Mercedes-Benz Classic Center lettering and a #126 roundel on the front wing, Colorado-flag arrows numbered 121 on the doors, and Classic Adelaide, BEA and TAG Heuer decals. Inside are tan leather and a cream steering wheel. The wheels are shown bare, black with chrome trim rings, though CMC supplies the hubcaps. The bonnet and boot open, the seats fold and the fuel flap lifts. A limited edition of 1,500 pieces; CMC builds it at 1:18, from more than 1,050 parts.