36 years ago, Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz drove the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG to victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It’s victory established AMG as one of the world’s premiere tuning houses and thrust them into the mainstream, a place they have been ever since... [read more]
Powered by a 428hp 6.8-liter V8, the new 300 SEL 6.8 AMG was the most powerful racing saloon of the time. 
Based on the 300 SEL 6.3, the AMG edition featured "sharper" camshafts, larger intake valves, as well as modified rocker arms and pistons. The modifications beneath the bonnet allowed the 6.8 to reach a top speed of 265km/h compared to the produciton cars 221km/h. 
As powerful as it may have been, it’s success on the race track was shortlived, as a change to the regulations for the 1972 season imposed a maximum capacity of 5.0-liters on cars racing in the European Touring Car Cup.
Establishing AMG as one of the premiere Mercedes tuners, the 1971 300 SEL 6.8 AMG will live on as one of, if not the, most impressive racing saloons of all time.
For a look at more photos of the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, click here.
Images and Info: Mercedes-Benz Blog
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey
2.08.2010
HISTORY // THE 1971 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SEL 6.8 AMG
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Awesome.
ReplyDeleteNothing personal this is a real question but why do you guys say 6.8 when it is a 6.3...?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, this is the 6.8
ReplyDeleteAMG bored out the stock 6.3 in order to produce more power.
Check out this website for more info:
http://mercedes-benz-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/mercedes-benz-blog-trivia300-sel-amg-63.html
love it!
ReplyDeleteFYI....The 300 SEL 6.8 finished 2nd overall and 1st in class at the '71 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps.
ReplyDeleteAnd here's some video of the race, with German narration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETEWBstktU0&feature=PlayList&p=28D6D1B5B961C211&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20