Specializing in the creation of stylish furniture, Rémi Le Forestier reproduces historical pieces for castles. His team also set up Emmanuel Macron’s office for the Grévin museum in Paris. In his workshop at Château-Thierry (Aisne), he also carved a replica of the Resolute Desk, the famous American presidential office, from oak. “It was installed at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. We did it to show what is made in France. This time we wanted to make an impact once again and prove the capabilities of cabinetmakers,” explains the 40-year-old craftsman.
The idea was born when he saw a wooden 2 CV made by a carpenter from Loches (Indre-et-Loire) and sold at auction for 210,000 euros in June 2023. Together with four cabinetmakers and a mechanic friend, he started this crazy project over two years.
“We disassembled the entire body of a 1989 Mercedes E300. We retained the engine, gearbox and most of the mechanical components necessary for the car to operate. On this frame, we rebuilt the body from teak because it is a wood that is rot-resistant and resistant to bad weather. It took 8,000 hours from five people spread over two years,” explains Rémi Le Forestier.
Affordable prices
Strangely, the steering wheel is on the right. For what reason? “Initially, I wanted to reproduce one of James Bond’s favorite cars, the Aston Martin DB5. But my daughter, who visited the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, convinced me. A Mercedes with the famous butterfly doors and the steering wheel on the right is very iconic and unique! » delighted the craftsman.
The vehicle, on display throughout the weekend at the “Art au Quotidien” event at the Palais des Congrès in Tours (Indre-et-Loire), weighs 2.5 tons, almost a ton heavier than the original model, which was first presented in the spring of 1954, in New York.
The weight of the wood makes the vehicle heavier and limits its speed. Actually it can go up to 80 km/h but not more.
Not approved for the road, these undocumented coupes can be driven on circuits or on private property. Will he find a buyer? Auctioneer Aymeric Rouillac, who has sold 2 famous wooden CVs in 2023, has no doubts. Today, original Gullwings generally sell for between 1.2 and 1.8 million euros on the second-hand market. Even if no comparison is possible, the unique copy will easily find a buyer on Sunday.
“The price is very reasonable. At 15,000 euros, we have a Golf GTI from the 1980s. This is a small price to have a good fight. This car will interest adults who, like its creator Rémi Le Forestier, already had a miniature of it when they were children. This is a rare piece of work! » he stressed.
“At 15,000 euros, we will not cover our costs. We hope to sell it for a good price. But it is not money that motivates us. Most importantly, the pride of showing our skills. We want a challenge! And if it works, why not do more! » assures Rémi Le Forestier.
Sales will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Palais des Congrès in Tours. The wooden Mercedes will be on display Friday and Saturday at the Congress Center. It’s even possible to have your photo taken in it in exchange for a five euro donation to the Tours University Hospital endowment fund.
