1:18 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.8

[Petrolhead]

The name AMG is derived from the initials of its two founders,Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher plus Aufrecht's place of birth,Grossaspach.Located in an old mill in Burgstall near Affalterbach in southwestern Germany,the newly founded company officially described itself as 'Engineering Office - Design and Testing for the Development of Race Engines'.The success story of the Swabina company began with specially prepared Mercedes Benz competitive race cars.In 1971,the company's international breakthrough came when,to everyone's surprise,the #35 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG seen below finished first in class and second overall at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamp (Belgium) race,in which drivers Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentans took turns at the wheel of the racing sedan,launching AMG into overnight fame.
The red car seen below is known affectionately as the 'Rote Sau' meaning 'Red Pig'.The beyond blueprinted engine (increased from 6.3 to 6.8 litres) kicked out 428 horsepower and allowed the #35 car,a 1:18 Minichamps replica of which appears in these pictures,to smash its way to a startling second place finish at the 1971 24 Hours of Spa.
Let's rephrase that.The 300 SEL 6.8 AMG bullied its way to an utterly astonishing second place finish and became the crowd favorite while doing so.Why so unbelievable?The 'Red Pig' weighed a porcine 3600 pounds,partly because AMG left the heavy air suspension and exotic wood trim in place.Luckily,Spa's long straights allowed the hardworking brakes plenty of time to cool down and the heaviest car on the track finished the day way ahead of everyone save the winning Ford Capri.

The yellow #38 'Hannen Alt' livereied racer accompanying the 'Red Pig' in this shoot was driven by Heyer at the AvD/MHSTC 'Saisonfinale' at Hockenheim in 1971.I'm still researching this car's history and will add any more information I can find on it.

Both 1:18 scale-models seen below are by Minichamps.Hope you guys like what you see!

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Yeah.Can't get enough of that evil mask of fog-lights.





Most luxurious innards I've seen in a race car.

[Diecast]

both are not my favorite,as my personal taste of not liking the stickers,

contrast for great line up of 300

+1 rep

[Petrolhead]

Thanks for the rep,Ravi Bhai.

Love this hood scoop.This car is full of elegant yet intimidating details.

I had only planned to go for the red car initially.But I couldn't resist the bright yellow livery of the 'Hannen Alt' racer so picked that one up too.



This one had no fog-lamps.But the bare mounts look even scarier I think.

Didn't notice the rouge little piece of thermocol clinging to the front fascia like a feather of some bird this thing just devoured.

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Anyone know what these little 'lightning bolt' symbols indicate?


The wheels and tires look particularly menacing on these two.

As plush inside as its red liveried twin.




Parting shot!!

[Guggga]

Beautiful shots! Definitely need the Red Pig in my collection too. Superb execution my Minichamps, the model looks so bloody menacing!

[aritrim]

Member's envy. Owner's Pride.









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Okay, original was Neighbour's envy. Owner's Pride from an old Onida TV Commercial

[Slix.Salakshya]

Interesting stuff Sid! Not a fan of such rides but they surely look cool!

[Petrolhead]

Thanks for the kind words,folks!!

[manishalive]

Sid,

These are very good pair, the details so good on them, Minichamps did a good job on these.

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+1 Rep for the Stuff that you have posted

[groundforce]

Nice pair, Sid. Your photos seem to be improving too. Keep 'em coming.

[siddvi]

Awesome shots PH. Congrats on owning them both, the red is definitely a looker with all that jazz.