Retro Mash-Up: Japanese Company Rebodies BMWs To Look Like Classic Benzes

Check this out: A Japanese-built Mercedes-Benz 190 SL doppelgänger whose underpinnings actually originate from the Three-Pointed Star’s arch rival. That’s right—this rather convincing 1955-1963 MB knockoff is actually a BMW beneath its curvaceous panels.

The strangely-named Duesen Bayern Mystar requires a donor BMW Z3, whose prices have depreciated enough to make this a bizarrely compelling option for those who desire vintage car looks with contemporary performance. Because the BMW was offered with a range of engines throughout its lifecycle, the Mystar can be outfitted as a modest cruiser and urban runabout, or as something approaching a proper apex-clipping sports car.

The Donor Car: BMW Z3

No word on whether an M Roadster’s hairy-chested 3.2-liter I-6 (or its increased width) can fit underneath the Mystar’s curves without any modification, but we can hope, right?









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530N52 - 1/23/2007 4:33:55 PM

0 Boost

I thought the company trying to do this was named SUXEL?

silverarrow2 - 1/23/2007 10:39:43 PM

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You mean there is some one else other than Lexus trying to Benz?

I should not be surprise, because it's another
Asian trying to be.

EL34i - 1/24/2007 2:11:02 AM

+1 Boost

I thought the semi-humorous digs at Lexus were written by more intelligent posters...

MunichRob - 1/23/2007 6:36:23 PM

+5 Boost

'Dookie' come on how old are we here? We don't want to hear that shit.

EL34 - 1/23/2007 6:39:52 PM

0 Boost

Originality is everything when it comes to me and I will not compromise my ethics in life.

Neverfollow - 1/24/2007 12:22:18 PM

+1 Boost

I just bought an original '56 190SL in Scottsdale this past weekend. It wasn't that much to buy the real thing. About $60K US will get you a really nice one that will appreciate in value. Who would spend their money on something like this? The proportions are way off on this thing. It looks pretty ugly after you've see the real thing up close.