Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG: How a Luxury Saloon Shook Motorsport

In the golden era of motorsport, when racing was raw, dangerous, and often gloriously unpredictable, a red, four-door saloon thundered onto the track and defied every expectation. It wasn’t a sleek Italian supercar or a nimble British roadster—it was a massive, luxurious Mercedes-Benz. But this wasn’t just any Mercedes. It was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, a car that earned its place in racing folklore through sheer audacity, engineering brilliance, and the spirited defiance of convention.

At Model Universe, we celebrate these motorsport icons not just through storytelling but through detailed 1:18 scale diecast replicas that capture every curve, badge, and battle scar of these legendary machines. So buckle up as we take a deep dive into the four most iconic versions of the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG that raced through the early 1970s—and shook the motorsport world while doing it.

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A Rebel Born in a Workshop: The AMG Origin Story

Before we dive into each race car, it’s important to understand how this beast came to life. In the late 1960s, two former Mercedes-Benz engineers, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, set up a small tuning company in a barn in Burgstall, Germany. They called it AMG, a name derived from their initials and Aufrecht’s birthplace—Grossaspach.

The car they chose to transform? The already potent Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, a luxury saloon powered by a 6.3-litre V8 engine—the fastest production saloon of its time. But AMG had bolder ideas. By enlarging the engine to 6.8 litres, improving airflow, and modifying the suspension and brakes, they created a monster with around 428 bhp and a top speed of over 160 mph.

Thus, the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG—often nicknamed the “Red Pig” or Rote Sau—was born. And while it may have looked like a diplomat’s motorway cruiser, it was a purebred race car underneath.

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1. Mercedes-Benz AMG 300 SEL 6.3 No.35 – 2nd Place, Spa 24H, 1971

Drivers: Hans Heyer & Clemens Schickentanz

The debut of the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG at the 1971 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps was nothing short of legendary. Competing against lightweight Ford Capris, BMWs, and Alfa Romeos, few gave the hefty Merc a fighting chance. But Heyer and Schickentanz weren’t there to make up the numbers.

Not only did the No.35 car complete the gruelling endurance race—it finished second overall and first in class. The car’s massive V8 roared through the Ardennes forest, devouring straights and bullying its way through corners.

The sheer incongruity of a luxury saloon overtaking purpose-built race cars earned it immediate cult status. AMG was suddenly on the map, and so was this unlikely racing hero.

Fun Fact: After Spa, Mercedes-Benz distanced itself from the car’s success, worried about its image being tied to motorsport. AMG, however, used it as a stepping stone to global recognition.

Own the Legend:

Add the Mercedes-Benz AMG 300 SEL 6.3 No.35 – Spa 24H 1971 to your collection.

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2. Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 No.38 – Final Race, Hockenheim 1971

Driver: Hans Heyer

Following Spa, the No.38 version of the 300 SEL 6.8 entered several more events before being retired at Hockenheim in late 1971. Driven by Hans Heyer—a man whose moustache was as iconic as his race craft—the car thundered around the circuit in what would be its final competitive appearance.

Though not as decorated as its Spa twin, No.38 represents the swansong of a car that had shaken up motorsport in just a few short months. Its presence at Hockenheim was a symbolic goodbye—a farewell lap for a car that changed perceptions of what a racing saloon could be.

🗣️ Heyer later said: “You didn’t drive the Red Pig. You held on and let it show you the way.”

Own the Legend:

Relive the farewell race with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 No.38 – Hockenheim 1971 in 1:18 scale.

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3. Mercedes-AMG 300 SEL 6.8 No.1 – Nürburgring 24H, 1972

Drivers: Hans Heyer & Dieter Betzler

After the 1971 season, AMG made further refinements to the chassis and returned in 1972 with the No.1 car for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Partnering Heyer with Dieter Betzler, the team took on one of the most punishing endurance races in the world.

Though mechanical issues eventually forced a retirement, the No.1 car showed promising speed and endurance, battling fiercely in the first half of the race. The Nürburgring is known as the “Green Hell” for good reason, and this brute of a saloon tackled it with admirable tenacity.

This version, though not as celebrated as the Spa car, remains a fan favourite for its boldness and brutality.

Own the Legend:

The 300 SEL 6.8 No.1 – Nürburgring 24H 1972 model is a perfect addition for collectors of AMG’s earliest legends.

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4. Mercedes-Benz AMG 300 SEL 6.8 No.12 – 12H Paul Ricard, 1971

Event: 12 Hours of Paul Ricard

The No.12 entry at the 1971 12 Hours of Paul Ricard may not have achieved podium glory, but it was part of AMG’s effort to establish itself across Europe’s premier circuits. Paul Ricard, with its long Mistral Straight, was well-suited to the 6.8-litre V8, which allowed the car to stretch its legs and bellow down the straights with incredible speed.

This car stands as a testament to AMG’s strategy of using endurance racing as both a development exercise and a marketing tool. No.12 may have flown under the radar at the time, but collectors and historians now view it as an essential part of the Red Pig lineage.

Own the Legend:

Capture the underdog story with the Mercedes-Benz AMG 300 SEL 6.8 No.12 – Paul Ricard 1971 model.

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AMG’s First Roar: How the Red Pig Became a Motorsport Myth

Despite its brief racing career, the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG achieved what few cars ever do—it carved out a legacy that still echoes through the halls of motorsport. It was a rule-breaker, a rebel, and a trailblazer.

The Spa result alone validated AMG’s tuning expertise and caught the attention of enthusiasts and engineers across Europe. But more than that, the car embodied the AMG ethos: bold engineering, performance without compromise, and a refusal to follow trends.

Today, AMG is synonymous with performance across the Mercedes-Benz range. But it all started with a massive red saloon that was never supposed to win.

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Model Universe: Where Legends Live On in Miniature

These four iconic race versions of the 300 SEL are available in miniature diecast model form. At 1:18 scale the 300 SEL measures approximately 28 cm / 11 inches in length.

Whether you’re a motorsport historian, a diecast collector, or simply a fan of great stories, these models are a chance to bring a piece of racing heritage into your home.

Each model features:

• Full race livery
• Authentic sponsor decals
• Made of diecast metal
• Rollable wheels
• 1:18 scale – approximately 28cm long

Add the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG Race Car to your collection today!

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Explore the Collection

Ready to relive the glory? Explore our full range of Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG racing car models and secure your slice of history today.

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Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Saloon

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG wasn’t meant to be a racing car. It was heavy, luxurious, and entirely out of place on the grid. But that’s exactly what made it special. It wasn’t built to follow the rules—it was built to rewrite them.

Each of the four racing variants—Spa No.35, Hockenheim No.38, Nürburgring No.1, and Paul Ricard No.12—tells a different chapter in this remarkable story. From a surprise silver at Spa to a defiant final run in Hockenheim, the Red Pig’s journey mirrors AMG’s own rise: unconventional, ambitious, and utterly unforgettable. The AMG name has gone on to become one of the most successful racing car manufacturer of all time – in a wide variety of categories including Formula 1, GT4, GT3 and GT2 racing and Le Mans Hypercar racing.

And now, thanks to our exclusive 1:18 diecast range, you can park a piece of that racing history on your shelf.

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