Well I thought I'd add my 2c to this old thread as we remember a fallen comrade. This is a section from my upcoming article in the MBCV ATB Magazine which is published monthly. During my research I discovered some interesting new info:
The vast majority of us would be familiar with the 300SEL 6.3 (which isn’t strictly a S-Class). The 6.9 used the more advanced second generation M100 engine and was a direct descendant of the 6.3, so I guess I’m sort of justified to make mention of the previous model in the S Class pages. The earlier 6.3 signaled the birth of the performance sedan for Mercedes. After the tragic LeMans crash of 1955, Mercedes withdrew from motorsport and there were few offerings from the company for individuals who were looking for a performance orientated vehicle. Certainly nothing that was practical for daily duties. For a couple of years after the disaster even sales of the 300SL were affected and production of that model ceased entirely in 1963.
It took the amazing work of just a few individuals and a couple of smaller companies to pressure Mercedes back into motor sport and to finally provide enthusiasts with a new ‘class’ of high performance sedans. Mercedes did build a prototype Pogoda and fitted it with a M100 (complete with bonnet bulge and stiffer springs), but after only 9 laps of Nürburgring, it completely shredded the tyres. Plans for that configuration were cancelled shortly thereafter. Erich Waxenberger kicked everything off in 1966 by shoehorning the M100 into the W109. On 18th May 1969 he raced one to victory in Macau after 6 grueling hours. The car was a dark colour and sported number 51 on the doors. On 26th July 1969 three cars arrived at Spa to be driven by
Jacky Ickx and
Hans Hermann (#4 - qualified 2nd), Rauno Aaltonen and Dieter Glemser (#5 - qualified 4th) and Kurt Ahrens and Erich Waxenberger (#7 - qualified 6th). All three cars had severe issues with tyres and did not start the race.
At Spa in 1971 Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher entered their red coloured AMG (#35 – qualified 5th) which achieved a historic 2nd place at the end of the 24 hour race. Dubbed the ‘Rote Sau’ due to its size, weight and colour, it was driven by Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz. And so began the legend of AMG and a long racing partnership with Heyer. The interesting thing about the car was what they’d done under the bonnet. Along with the usual exhaust modifications, they’d created a custom intake, including twin throttle bodies and separate plenums for each cylinder head.
The larger bores of the AMG engines increased displacement to 6,834cm3 (the same as the 6.9). While the standard 6.3 made 247hp and the Euro 6.9 made 286hp, the racing engines produced a competition crushing 422hp. How many racing cars existed? I’ve counted up to 11 (numbers 1, 4, 5, 7, 13, 31, 35, 38, 51, 150 and 151)!! Where are they now??? We know one was sent off to test aircraft tyres and was never seen again. Even MB couldn’t track it down. But what of the others….
