In 1971, the AMG 300 SEL 6.8 hit the headlines in the 24H race at the Belgian Spa. Compared to the touring car competition – including the Ford Capri RS, the Alfa Romeo GTA and the Chevrolet Camaro – the AMG 300 SEL 6.8 was not really competitive.
But to the surprise of 80,000 spectators, drove the red sow to class victory and in second place in the overall standings. The only Mercedes in the field completed over 300 laps without technical problems and the two drivers Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickedanz wrote motorsport history.
The red sow, built specifically for the European Touring Car Championship, had a V8 engine with two throttle bodies, sharper camshafts, modified rocker arms and pistons. The top speed was 265 km / h, the power at 428 hp and the torque was 620 Nm.
The original AMG, which contributed significantly to the success of the company, was sold to the French company Matra and used there for aircraft tire tests. Many years later it was searched in vain for the vehicle with great effort. Meanwhile, there are some very good replicas.
Learn more about the photographer Rainer Selzer
Report by rs65photos.com
