Mercedes-Benz Celebrates The 50th Anniversary Of AMG's 1st Race Victory With 3 Special Editions
by AutoExpert | 30 July, 2021
The forthcoming 24 Hours of Spa will mark the 50th anniversary of Mercedes-first Benz's big victory in motorsport, and the company is honoring the occasion with three special editions.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, raced by Hans Heyer and Clemens Schikentanz to a class triumph in 1971, came 2nd overall in the iconic race. The car, coined the Rote Sau (Red Pig) for its ability to beat much lighter race cars, enhanced AMG's prestige and ensured that the then-young brand could grow into the great force that it is nowadays.
Mercedes is developing 3 “50 Years Legend of Spa” one-off race vehicles with emblems that pay tribute to the extremely famous color palette of the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG. One Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, one Mercedes-AMG GT3 (MY 2016), and the existing Mercedes-AMG GT3 supercars will be part of the limited-edition series.
Each one will be completed in Graphite Metallic Matt inside it and have a carbon-fiber instrument panel with a jubilee plaque bearing the signature of AMG pioneer Hans Werner Aufrecht.
However, none of these autos will be offered with an FIA powertrain, which will let all three cars' exhaust pipes roar at maximum volume and the AMG 6.3-liter V8 to deliver its max 641 hp (650 PS/478 kW).
Aside from the more turbocharged motor, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 MY2020 will be similar to the racer that currently participates in the world's courses. Surprisingly, the other 2 are being reintroduced into circulation for this limited edition.
SLS is the truly unusual car here, while the 2016 AMG GT3 2016 has chassis number 100 and was taken back for this cause. AMG's technical managing director, Jochen Hermann, explains these limited editions mark one of AMG's most significant corporate events. "The 24-hour race in Spa in 1971 represents our brand's spirit: striving to take on the unthinkable, overcoming obstacles, and impressing with performance!”, he added.
The SLS AMG GT3 is valued at €650,000 ($770,000 USD) due to its rarity, while the 2020 GT3 is set at €575,000 ($681,000), and the 2016 GT3 is offered at €500,000 ($592,000). All of them are available for purchase on slicks and will be on exhibit at the forthcoming 24 Hours of Spa.
