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Kleine introduktie uit de losse pols:
De 300 SEL 6.8 AMG was in 1971 de binnenkomer voor AMG. Met 476 PK uit motorblok M100 (de motor uit de Mercedes 600 Pullman en de 300 SEL 6.3) behaalde mecanicien Hans-Werner Aufrecht op Spa een klinkend succes, daar waar in 1970 de coureur van Mercedes-Benz na drie rondjes met het ding over Hockenheim gereden te zijn de pits inreed met de mededeling: "hier heb je 'm; ik rij er niet meer mee". Project ten einde, derhalve. Mercedes-Benz kreeg de 6,3 liter V8 niet onder controle.
Aufrecht en Melcher uit GrossAspach (AMG) kochten op de bonnefooi zo'n ding naar zich toe, verfijnde hem, en verrastten vriend en vijand een jaar later op Spa.
Historie (Engels) van de 300 SEL 6.3 en spin-off 300 SEL 6.8 AMG
Two technical diamonds that will forever remain in the prestigious Mercedes-Benz motoring history. They are the expression of the passion for ultimate driving and adrenalin rush, in an era when power outputs going beyond 250 BHP were seen as total miracles. AMG engineers managed to create the perfect balance between a high-luxury sedan and a sporty coupe, without ruining the number of doors. Although the 300 SEL distinguished itself in the '60s and '70s with its pretty massive and powerful silhouette, the 6.3 & 6.8 AMG models developed during this period proved again to the entire world that the Stuttgart-based carmaker could easily overcome weight and dimension issues and build a very agile, fun-to-drive and quick sports saloon.
Actually, the whole 300 SEL AMG business began in 1966 as a private venture between Erich Waxenberger, a company engineer, and Paul Bracq, the designer of this 4 wheel beauty. The result:the world's first "Super Saloon", nicknamed "Q-Car". The 300 SEL 6.3 AMG boasts a 6.3 litres V8 engine with fuel injection, derived from the standard 300 SEL 6.3 power unit with 184 kW/250 hp output. For the AMG version, there was a choice of three engines with different outputs:206 kW/280 hp, 221 kW/300 hp or 235 kW/320 hp, capable of achieveing 51 mkg maximum torque. These V8 units were linked to a 4 speed automatic gearbox. Other technical specifications include:air suspension, automatic choke, ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels, power windows, central locking, power steering. The road performance of the 300 SEL 6.3 AMG was absolutely stunning:the acceleration up to the 100 km/h took just 6.3 seconds, so way below the feared 8 seconds limit, whereas the max. speed reached 235 km/h for the 320 hp model.
AMG engineers continued to improve the basic 6.3 litres V8 unit, and they came up later, in 1971, with the racing version of it, which was installed on the legendary 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, famous for its breakthrough victory in the 24 h race, held at Spa in Belgium. The engine displacement went up by 0.5 litres, reaching 6.8 litres. Further on, the new unit received 'sharper' camshafts, larger intake valves and modified rocker arms and pistons that enabled a power boost up to 315 kW/428 hp and a maximum torque of 62 mkg. 265 km/h was the maximum speed to be achieved by the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG. But 6.8 was not enough, so the things went higher, up to 6.9 litres. With these special engine fitted, the 300 SEL AMG could reach 100 km/h in only 4.2 seconds, 200 km/h in 12 seconds and could cover a quarter mile in only 14 seconds. However, the odds were against this special model:new racing regulations that imposed a max. displacement to be used of only 5.0 litres, plus the absence of adequate tyres ment a short life for the 6.9, not to mention the 6.8. What is quite funny is the fact that a prototype of a 300 SEL 6.9 AMG still exists in Finland and it is, as the owner states, in a very good shape.
