Classic

1968 Mercedes 300 SEL Restored by Vath

Words Jim Davis | June 27, 2012
1968 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 now looks fresh off the assembly line thanks to German tuner Vath
Words Jim Davis June 27, 2012

Väth Automobiltechnik, from Hoesbach, Germany, is known for their outstanding work on some of the finest Mercedes-Benz models available.  Recently, we’ve seen their work on the C63 AMG, SLK350 and the CL63 AMG from last year.  Today, Vath unveiled their latest project, but instead of working on one of Mercedes’ latest and greatest, they restored a true Mercedes Classic.   A 1968 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, an outstanding example of a classic Mercedes, that now thanks to VATH, looks fresh off the assembly line. Vath restored a portion of the body as well the interior, with the most work going into restoring the entire engine and axles.

Built between 1968 to 1972 the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 featured the M100 6.3-liter V8 engine that produced 250 PS (247 hp / 184 kW) and 510 Nm (376 lb-ft) of torque. Zero to 100 km/h was achieved in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).

If this car looks familiar, you may be thinking of the car driven by Hans Heyer.  His AMG racing saloon was technically based on the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3. With an engine output of 184 kW (250 hp) at 4000 rpm and a top speed of 220 km/h, this luxury saloon was Germany’s fastest regular production car at the time. It was not only an enlarged displacement from 6330 to 6835 cc that increased the output to 315 kW (428 hp) at 5500 rpm, and torque from 500 to 608 newton metres.