Translation of an article from German "Auto Motor und Sport" issue
17/1973 written by Helmut Luckner
Famous racing touring cars of the last years
|
Graphics: Robert Rettenmayr/Auto Motor und Sport 17/1973 Scanning, two-piece mounting and add. backgr. retouching by MBEP webmaster |
The high repute of Mercedes-racers has survived the time
of their winnings until the middle of the 1950's. In 1955 competition manager
Alfred Neubauer sent the Silver Arrows into a Grand Prix for the last time
- on them Juan Manuel Fangio and Piero Taruffi made the first and second
place at the Italian Grand Prix. After another double-win which was gained
by the 300 SLR-racers at the Targa Florio in the same year (Moss/Collins
followed by Kling/Fangio) the Mercedes-star finally disappeared from the
race courses. But it didn't fade. The myth of the undefeatedly retired
Mercedes-racers did pass unfailing to this three 6.8-litre sedans which
were entered in 1970 by Mercedes for the 24-hour race at Spa - the first
official engagement after 15 years.
To show it to the others after such a long time of abstinence from racing and afterwards newly to withdraw into splendid isolation - this wish the play instinct of the Daimler engineers awoke during the preparation for the series of the 300 SEL 6.3. The serial 250 hp became 280, at last the 1700kg-car, after the enlargement of the bore was equipped with modifications on camshafts, intake manifolds, lubrication and others, had 370 hp. On intense tests in Hockenheim, Zeltweg, Jarama, Monza, Salzburg and on Nuerburgring test pilots Hans Herrmann, Dieter Glemser and test engineer ((Erich)) Waxenberger did not only search for overcoming of the race-unsuitable comfort of the air suspension, but also for tyre constructions, which proved suitable for the heavy weight. The normal way to durable tyres in form of more width wasn't workable: Together with also bigger rims they would have to be put into larger wheel arches. But before the FIA homologates such fender flares it demands precisely defined numbers of the corresponding serial bodies. To go this way the Untertuerkheimers were not ready. Involuntarily walking on smaller feet the 300 SEL-fleet nevertheless went to the 24-hours of Spa-Francorchamps - but it didn't lead to the sensational premiere. The fresh chippings on one part of the course exposed the tyres to such strong mechanical stress that the tread-strips on the Mercedes-tyres came off. After two hours of consultation following the training the eleven-council of the Mercedes-heads called off the project out of reasons of security.
|
|
The future of the car seemed hopeless until a lucky coincidence appointed it into service for lifetime: To imitate aircraft landings and to do measurements Matra on behalf of the French airforce searched for a car which not only could house spacious measuring instruments inclusive the gear of a jet fighter, but also with this ballast within an distance of only one kilometre could reach 200 km/h. As requested AMG extended the Mercedes-racer 75 centimetres, brought the engine to maximum 428 hp again and handed over the 2400 kg airforce-employee (765 kg more than for racing) into French services. Mercedes had to fear every support of the Burgstetten private initiative could be interpreted as an official engagement. But they didn't left completely Aufrecht, Melcher and co completely in the lurch: The AMG-Mercedes rolled on three sets of loan-rims of the C111-type and through leasing was equipped with |
parts of the suspension, rear axle and smaller air-bellows
which were not used in Untertuerkheim any more. And the AMG-Mercedes also
rolled on 10-inch front- and 12-inch rear-tyres, to whose in contrast to
the factory car was given space under five centimetres wide fender flares.
Helmut Luckner End of article - translation by MBEP webmaster As usual remarks in ((blabla)) but (blabla) belongs to original text. |
Click
here to return to ROVINGSOCIETY.COM or to go there for the MB 300SEL 6.3
Race Car
Last revised technically: Oct. 25th '99 Visits since August 26th '98.... | [Sign
Guestbook]
[View Guestbook] |
.........
IF YOU LIKE TO INCLUDE ANY MATERIAL FROM THIS SITE
INTO YOURS PLEASE ASK BEFORE