Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.8 AMG (24Hr Paul Ricard 1971)

Product Description

Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.8 AMG (24 Hr Paul Ricard 1971) in Red (1:18 scale)
- This car was driven by Heyer & Schickentanz. AMG was founded in 1967 by Hans Werner Aufrecht & his partner Eberhard Melcher. Aufrecht’s place of birth, namely Großaspach, serves as the third letter in the company name. Officially they called themselves specialists for engineering, constructing & trials in race engine development. In the beginning, AMG concentrated on the construction of race cars that based upon the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE & were used for European touring car races. Already in the year 1971 the breakthrough took place. On the 4th of July, 1971 the AMG team debuted with a Mercedes-Benz 300 SE 6.3 in the southwest cup race at the Hockenheim race track. The car was driven by Helmut Kelleners (finished position unknown). Unfortunately the car was heavily damaged during testing shortly after. It was immediately dismantled & carefully rebuilt. AMG modified the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 & achieved a surprising second place overall at the 24 hour race of Spa-Francochamps (Belgium). During this occasion the drivers were Hans Heyer & Clemens Schickedanz. In September Heyer & Schickedanz participated in the 24 hour race of Paul Ricard, each driving 2 x 6 hours. They dropped out with a differential failure. The change in regulation at the end of 1971 for the 1972 season was the end for the 300 SEL 6.8 in the international touring car sports.