Crankin' Classics: Revving Up the Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3: The boss hits the highway in a Beast of a Benz
Experience the Power: Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 Test Drive - Unleash the Beast's Potential
By Patch Broich, Como
Haven't you got automotive chills just from the number "6.3"? For Mercedes, it's that enchanting. And with good reason, too - this moniker has turned heads for decades, and ntv.de got a chance to roll with it from Como to Stuttgart and put it through its paces. Now that's a commute from car culture heaven!
Let's face it - pompous Mercedes might've been all the rage in '68, but to sizist American motorists, a mere eight bangers just wouldn't cut it. So, Merc stepped up their game by planting a steroid-ridden M100 V8 from the W100 series, y'know the infamous 600 ("the big Merc") - about three years after its entrance. European markets, on the other hand, had surely never seen anything like this W109 series.
Mainstream Mercedes might've felt like a visitors from Mars, but it found rich soil. Ludwig Erhard made sure of that - he secured the economic miracle in German soil, and Mercedes proudly showcased its top model on the asphalt. The lettering "300 SEL" took center stage on the left rear deck, while "6.3" got a large font treatment over at the right side - bold and obvious. If you weren't turning your head to check it out, you might as well be blind.
Now, think about those days. A compact VW ID.4 would outrun this 250 hp monster today, and even the Carrera RS Porsche 911 would need four years to catch up to its 210 horses. The Beetle? With a minuscule 30-34 hp? The 300 SEL 6.3 could be yours for a cool 35,600 D-Mark in '68 - a price tag half of the middle-class VW 1600 that started at just over 6,000 D-Mark.
Fast-forward to today, and the SEL 6.3 has morphed into a classic, deeply ingrained in the memories of car heads. And while base W108 or W109 models still have some styling leadership, this 6.3 is no longer just a show pony.
So, Como. Catch us in May, when both the evil glow of FuoriConcorso and the glamour of the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza await. This year, Bovensiepen Zagato gets a debut, while down the road BMW rolls out a Concept Speedtop - a limited-run shooting-brake coupé sporting an eight-cylinder engine. Now that's a party!
And, of course, there's that car with the 6.3 moniker, standing oh-so-proud in a dark olive tone. I can't wait for my spin. I crack open its light beige leather door, thumb the key over, and crack the engine with a deep growl. Smooth as silk, it purrs like a cougar - though not as fresh as the day it was born. Shifting into "D," she snakes out of the underground garage, but it's clear she's seen better days. The air suspension soaks up the concrete coarsely, but the climate control system works like a charm, and it's hard to argue with that.
Thankfully, I made it onto the empty highways as the sun began to set. Slam the throttle, and she belts out a symphony of power, reaching 200 km/h without breaking a sweat (factory limit: 220 km/h). Curvy corners call for a little caution - the old-school swing axle isn't exactly a handling expert. But being in a classic like this, it's a small price to pay for feeling like a movie star.
Six hours later, the W109 reaches its Germanic lair in Stuttgart, and she'll surely be missed. Germany wasn't ready for the power unleashed by the 300 SEL 6.3 half a century ago, and with the way cars have evolved, it's doubtful we ever will be again. But that's all part of the Benz's charm. It's a time machine, allowing us to revisit the past while driving full-throttle into the future.
Source: ntv.de
- Test Drives
- Mercedes Models
- German Car Manufacturers
Additional Info:
- Engine: - 6.3L M100 V8
- Power: - 250 hp
- Transmission: - 4-speed automatic
- 0-100 km/h: - 6.5s (estimated)
- Top Speed: - 220 km/h (factory limit)
- Production: - 6,526 units (1968-1972)
- Price: - 35,600 D-Mark (1968)
- Price Adjusted for Inflation: - 249,965 EUR (2021)
- In the precious past, the 6.3L M100 V8 engine of the Mercedes 300 SEL was a game-changer, offering more power than contemporary compact vehicles and costing half the price of other Mercedes models.
- Today, the 300 SEL 6.3 has become a cherished classic, stirring up memories for car enthusiasts, while simultaneously standing out at events like FuoriConcorso and the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza.
- As the 300 SEL 6.3 whizzes through the landscape, it symbolizes a unique fusion of the past and the future, offering a taste of vintage charm along with modern amenities like climate control, all while delivering an unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping drive.
