Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG '71

aspiration

NA (Naturally Aspirated)

Group

Gr.X

Displacement

6,835 cc

DriveTrain

FR

Height

1,320 mm

Length

5,000 mm

Weight

1,635 kg

Width

1,810 mm

Max Power

422 BHP / 5,300 rpm

Max Torque

61.2 kgfm / 5,000 rpm

Performance Point

PP 517.12

Manufacturer

AMG

Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG '71: The Red Pig That Revolutionized Racing

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG '71, fondly nicknamed the "Red Pig," holds a special place in automotive and motorsport history. This car marked AMG's first foray into international racing, establishing the performance brand's reputation and laying the groundwork for all future Mercedes-AMG collaborations. Based on the stately Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL luxury sedan, this car received a radical transformation at the hands of AMG, then still an upstart tuning company. The most pronounced change was the enlarging of the stock 6.3-liter V8 to a formidable 6.8 liters, boosting output to a remarkable 428 horsepower. This seismic tweak, along with extensive weight-reduction modifications and performance upgrades, made the once-luxurious limousine into an unlikely racing icon.

The legend of the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG was cemented at the 1971 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Against the odds, the 'Red Pig' thundered around the track, outpacing many lighter, purpose-built racecars. The car finished an astonishing second overall and won its class, a shocking result that propelled AMG's name into the spotlight. Its immense size, roaring V8, and unlikely agility made it a crowd favorite and a symbol of competitive spirit and engineering ingenuity. This race marked the beginning of Mercedes-Benz’s ongoing domination in endurance racing and showcased the effectiveness of AMG’s engineering prowess.

Beyond racing, the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG '71 became an icon of the high-performance luxury sedan. Its racing achievements boosted the AMG brand's visibility and desirability, leading to a long-standing partnership and eventually full integration with Mercedes-Benz. The history of this car is not just that of a racing marvel, but also the birth of a new genre: the muscular, luxury super-sedan. The influence of the Red Pig can be seen in today’s Mercedes-AMG models, which continue the legacy of blending comfort, prestige, and blistering performance.