Heilige Scheiße!
July 2nd 2008 14:42
Imagine the scenario, Mercedes Benz or BMW decide to launch an all-out attack on the Australian V8 supercar series, with a challenger of there own.
They have a wide range of suitable vehicles to choose from, so what do they choose as a challenger? How about an S- class or a BMW 7 series in long wheelbase sedan form!
As scary as that may sound, it wouldn’t be the first time! The birth of the 300SEL 6.3 sedan in 1968 gave Mercedes Benz a vehicle which combined the looks and weight of an army surplus Panzer Tank and the performance of a Ferrari!
An almost standard 300SEL 6.3 raced in the six hours of Macao race in 1968. It won!
Inspired by the success of an earlier factory race car. Two former Mercedes Benz factory employees by the name of Aufrecht and Melcher had left Mercedes employ and started their own venture, by the name of AMG.
The boys were pretty impressed by the big Brunhilde but they thought they could improve on the car. So, with a little after hours help from a factory engineer and test driver by the name of Erich Waxenberger. They proceeded to build a race spec 300SEL 6.8 which pumped out a whole 313kw and had a top speed of 265kmh!
The car raced in the 1971 Spa 24 hour race. Competing with smaller cars like the Alfa Romeo GTAm and the Ford Capri RS2600, this 1635Kg ended up with a second place overall and a first in class! All in air suspended and carpeted comfort!
This was a car that made people sit up and take notice, lets face it, you can’t miss it!
The car competed in 24 hour races at Le Mans and the Nurburgring without success and eventually the introduction of a 5.0 litre engine capacity limit saw the end of the cars career.
So, can you see that S-class going through the Dipper and then rampaging down Conrod Straight all while the Driver listens to Classic FM and turns the climate control down to a comfortable 19 degrees!
They have a wide range of suitable vehicles to choose from, so what do they choose as a challenger? How about an S- class or a BMW 7 series in long wheelbase sedan form!
As scary as that may sound, it wouldn’t be the first time! The birth of the 300SEL 6.3 sedan in 1968 gave Mercedes Benz a vehicle which combined the looks and weight of an army surplus Panzer Tank and the performance of a Ferrari!
An almost standard 300SEL 6.3 raced in the six hours of Macao race in 1968. It won!
Inspired by the success of an earlier factory race car. Two former Mercedes Benz factory employees by the name of Aufrecht and Melcher had left Mercedes employ and started their own venture, by the name of AMG.
The boys were pretty impressed by the big Brunhilde but they thought they could improve on the car. So, with a little after hours help from a factory engineer and test driver by the name of Erich Waxenberger. They proceeded to build a race spec 300SEL 6.8 which pumped out a whole 313kw and had a top speed of 265kmh!
The car raced in the 1971 Spa 24 hour race. Competing with smaller cars like the Alfa Romeo GTAm and the Ford Capri RS2600, this 1635Kg ended up with a second place overall and a first in class! All in air suspended and carpeted comfort!
This was a car that made people sit up and take notice, lets face it, you can’t miss it!
The car competed in 24 hour races at Le Mans and the Nurburgring without success and eventually the introduction of a 5.0 litre engine capacity limit saw the end of the cars career.
So, can you see that S-class going through the Dipper and then rampaging down Conrod Straight all while the Driver listens to Classic FM and turns the climate control down to a comfortable 19 degrees!
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