300 SEL 6.8 AMG

In 1971, AMG was a small, independent engine tuning company run by former Mercedes engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher from a workshop in Burgstall, Germany. To demonstrate their engineering capabilities, they prepared a Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 luxury sedan for the grueling Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours race. The car became known as the Red Pig (Rote Sau) for its massive proportions among the lightweight racing cars it competed against, and its distinctive red-orange livery.

AMG bored out the 6.3-liter M100 V8 engine to 6.8 liters, producing approximately 428 hp. The engine modifications included ported and polished heads, high-lift camshafts, and larger carburetors. Despite weighing nearly 1,900 kg, far more than any of its competitors, the car's enormous torque gave it remarkable straight-line speed. The suspension was lowered and stiffened, the brakes were upgraded, and the bodywork received flared wheel arches to accommodate wider tires. A roll cage was fitted, but much of the luxury interior remained.

Against all expectations, the Red Pig finished second overall and won its class at the 1971 Spa 24 Hours, behind a much lighter and purpose-built Ford Capri RS 2600. The sight of this enormous luxury sedan thundering around the fearsome Spa circuit, driven by Aufrecht himself along with co-drivers, captured the imagination of the motorsport world and generated enormous publicity for AMG. Orders for engine modifications flooded in from Mercedes owners who wanted AMG's magic for their own cars.

The Red Pig is regarded as the single most important car in AMG's history. It demonstrated that engineering excellence could overcome the apparent handicap of weight and luxury, and it established AMG's reputation for extracting extraordinary performance from Mercedes-Benz platforms. The original car has been meticulously restored by Mercedes-Benz Classic and is a centerpiece of their heritage collection. Its legacy is directly traceable to today's AMG division, which generates billions in revenue for Mercedes-Benz.