At first glance, the Red Pig, or die Röte Sau as it’s known in German, appears to be a mere replica. This vibrant red Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, adorned with period racing stickers, seems like a nostalgic nod to a bygone era. However, beneath the surface lies a story that’s as thrilling as the car’s roaring V8 engine – the tale of AMG’s very first race car, which remarkably secured a class victory and second overall at the 1971 Spa Francorchamps 24 hours. The genesis of this iconic vehicle is deeply intertwined with the ingenuity of one man: Mercedes Benz Waxenberger.
The Red Pig’s aesthetic is undeniably striking. Its Stuttgart steel frame, surprisingly agile for its size, is aggressively enhanced with extended wheel arches housing colossal tires. This transformation is a bold clash of styles – the raw power of 1970s Modsports engineering juxtaposed against Paul Braque’s refined design for the Mercedes-Benz W108/109 S-class.
Stepping inside the roll cage and settling into the purposeful bucket seat, secured by four-point Willans belts, reveals a familiar sight. The dashboard retains the classic 1960s S-class elegance, featuring light-wood veneer and a twin-dial binnacle. A compact rev counter, like a wristwatch in size, sits nestled within the stock instrument cluster, accompanied by a square clock as prominent as a pack of cigarettes. Igniting the engine unleashes a muffled growl from the large-bore V-8, a sound reminiscent of a den of bears. Interestingly, even this replica doesn’t fully capture the sheer monstrousness of the original Red Pig.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig race car in the pit garage, showcasing its iconic red livery and racing modifications.
Hans Heyer, one of the drivers of the Red Pig, alongside Clemens Schickentanz, vividly recalls the car’s formidable presence. “It was an amazing car—enormous with huge speed,” he explains. “We had enormous speed comparing to the Capris, but no brakes at all…” This highlights the raw, untamed nature of the Red Pig, a testament to its era.
The story of the Red Pig is not just about brute force and racing prowess; it’s a narrative deeply rooted in the clandestine motorsport ambitions within Mercedes-Benz and the innovative spirit of figures like mercedes benz waxenberger. While AMG, then an independent entity, officially campaigned the car, the Red Pig was, in many ways, a skunk works project orchestrated within the Mercedes-Benz plant itself.
The backdrop to this clandestine operation was Mercedes-Benz’s withdrawal from all motorsport activities following the tragic 1955 Le Mans disaster. This hiatus, lasting until the late 1980s, inadvertently paved the way for AMG’s emergence. Aufrecht and Melcher, former Mercedes-Benz engineers, established AMG to cater to the burgeoning demand for performance tuning and racing enhancements, filling the void left by Mercedes’ official absence.
Enter Erich mercedes benz waxenberger, a Mercedes engineer driven by a passion for performance. With the discreet backing of certain senior Mercedes managers, Waxenberger embarked on a daring project. He decided to transplant the colossal M100 V-8 engine, originally designed for the luxurious 600 Grosser limousine, into the comparatively lighter W108/109 S-class chassis. Until then, this chassis was only designed for inline-six engines. Legend has it that Rudi Uhlenhaut, Mercedes’ motorsport and development engineer, upon test driving Waxenberger’s creation, was so astonished that he immediately stopped and inspected under the hood to understand how such a large engine was shoehorned into the engine bay.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig racing around Silverstone track, demonstrating its racing capabilities.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, born from mercedes benz waxenberger‘s vision, became Mercedes’ unique take on the muscle car. It was also a pioneer of the “sleeper” or “Q-car” concept – a vehicle with understated aesthetics concealing remarkable performance. Launched in 1968, after being first unveiled in 1967, this hand-built sedan boasted a 250-hp V-8 engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, a four-speed automatic transmission, and air suspension. Despite its considerable weight of 3,889 pounds and a hefty price tag of $14,000 in 1968 (equivalent to approximately $100,000 today), it was the fastest four-door sedan in the world, reaching a top speed of 142 mph. In its four-year production run, 6,526 units were manufactured, solidifying its place in automotive history.
However, mercedes benz waxenberger’s ambitions extended beyond mere straight-line speed; he yearned for racing. Utilizing diverted PR funds, he bored out the 6.3-liter engine to a massive 6.8 liters and put the 300SEL on a weight-reduction program. It’s believed that Waxenberger built three race cars (though some accounts suggest five) and entered them in the Macau Grand Prix in 1969. Waxenberger himself drove the sole right-hand-drive version, and despite challenges with tire wear and fuel consumption (reportedly achieving a mere 5 mpg on race fuel), he secured an outright victory in the six-hour race. This particular car is rumored to remain in Asia. Another Red Pig can be found at the Mobilia automotive museum in Finland.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig front view at Silverstone, highlighting its aggressive stance and racing modifications.
Following extensive testing in Europe and data collection, mercedes benz waxenberger‘s clandestine racing program gained tacit approval for entry into the 1969 Spa Francorchamps 24 hours. However, it became evident that larger wheels and extended wheel arches were crucial to prevent tire chunking and potential delamination. Realizing the escalating risks associated with this covert operation, Waxenberger’s backers ordered the Spa entry to be withdrawn and the race cars to be discreetly sold. Two of these cars found their way to AMG.
AMG acquired not only two race-ready cars but also the unofficial services of mercedes benz waxenberger, who remained employed by Mercedes-Benz. He brought with him invaluable engineering data, comparative lap times, and technical expertise. Waxenberger’s driving skills were also unexpectedly called upon when he happened to be at AMG’s test race at the Salzburg Ring. When the designated driver fell ill, Waxenberger, conveniently prepared with his helmet and overalls, stepped in. By this time, the cars weighed approximately 3,527 pounds and could reach speeds of 165 mph, accelerating from 0-62 mph in a mere 4.2 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig rear view on the track, emphasizing its wide racing tires and track-ready setup.
“At Spa, it ran on a special air suspension system developed for the car by mercedes benz waxenberger,” Heyer recalls. “And another unique feature was the automatic gearbox, the first sequential-like gearbox I had ever encountered as a driver. Waxenberger modified it to allow gear changes like a sequential gearbox.” While effective, starting after pit stops required a specific technique. “In general, it was a great car,” Heyer states, “but after Spa, it was fitted with a conventional ZF five-speed manual gearbox.”
Fast forward to 2005, as Mercedes-Benz approached a Geneva auto show deadline, they constructed a replica Red Pig, initially equipped with a standard 6.3-liter engine and automatic gearbox. However, for AMG’s 50th anniversary, this was replaced with a five-speed manual transmission, the same type that mercedes benz waxenberger had previously homologated for the road car.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig front view on Silverstone track, showcasing its iconic red color and racing modifications.
“The replica is a street car, and far removed from the 1971 race car,” Heyer clarifies. “But each year, they refine it, bringing it closer to the essence of the original.” The opportunity to drive this replica at Silverstone Circuit in England offered a glimpse into the Red Pig’s character. As the air suspension system pressurizes, the iconic three-pointed star hood ornament rises, resembling a gun-sight, poised to target the apexes of the Formula One track. The Red Pig moves with a satisfying rumble, feeling undeniably fast, yet not intimidatingly so. The engine’s immense torque provides remarkable flexibility, a welcome attribute as the rev counter is almost hidden from view. Despite a 5,500 rpm redline, there’s rarely a need to push the engine to its limit or even change gears frequently. Simply applying throttle unleashes a surge of powerful thrust.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig interior with standard wood trim, a detail retained in the race car replica.
The steering is light yet precise, guiding the car through turns with deliberate inputs, maintaining grip through corners. The ride, while firmer than a standard classic road car, still exhibits noticeable body lean in faster corners, akin to a ship navigating rough seas. However, the grip is surprisingly tenacious, thanks to substantial negative camber and those oversized tires. Gentle inputs to the controls allow the Red Pig to perform admirably, up to a certain point.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig hood ornament, highlighting the iconic three-pointed star.
Pushing the car beyond its limits or encountering wet conditions introduces a different dynamic. The mismatched tire setup (Yokohama fronts and Pirelli rears) can lead to abrupt breakaway, demanding skilled opposite-lock driving and a somewhat unruly recovery from slides. While entertaining at lower speeds, this behavior would be far less forgiving at the Red Pig’s higher speed capabilities. The highly assisted brakes also reveal their limitations. While the large discs offer strong initial stopping power, repeated heavy braking can quickly induce brake fade, necessitating carrying speed through corners to maintain momentum.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig on track, front left view showcasing its racing profile.
While it’s tempting to imagine Heyer and Schickentanz enjoying a relaxed drive during the 1971 Spa race, the reality, as Heyer clarifies, was quite different. “It was so fast and it handled pretty great. All the fast corners except Eau Rouge were flat, which was simply not possible with other cars of the time, and uphill it was amazing. To get it round that fast though, you needed a lot of courage, more than you normally needed at the time. But it was fun and manageable, and it would drift with all four wheels.”
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig headlights, a close-up view of the classic Mercedes-Benz design.
Footage from the original 1971 race on YouTube offers a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era of racing, with its distinctive fashions, hairstyles, and the pre-aerodynamic racing style. Heyer recalls a large and knowledgeable crowd at the 24-hour race, appreciative of the speed and risks involved. “Everybody was fascinated with our big car.” He believes that had it not been for the Big Merc’s frequent refueling stops, he and Schickentanz might have even secured an overall victory. They finished just three laps behind the factory Ford Capri RS2600, but it’s the Big Red Pig that remains etched in memory.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig rear tire, highlighting the massive racing tire size and profile.
A few laps in the street-legal replica can hardly replicate the intensity and skill of Heyer and Schickentanz’s race performance, but it undeniably deepens respect for their achievements. Especially when considering that AMG’s inaugural race car was essentially a semi-official, clandestine effort from a time when Mercedes-Benz was officially absent from motorsport. The story of the Red Pig is a testament to the ingenuity and passion of individuals like mercedes benz waxenberger, who dared to push boundaries and create automotive legends even in the shadows of corporate motorsport withdrawal.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig front tire, showcasing the large Yokohama racing tire.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig at Silverstone track, side view emphasizing its racing silhouette.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig in-car driver perspective, showing the small tachometer in the instrument cluster.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig engine bay, revealing the powerful V8 engine.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig rear seats, emphasizing the unlikely passenger space in a race car.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig front bucket seats, highlighting the basic racing seats compared to modern standards.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig ZF 5-speed manual gearbox, showcasing the later manual transmission upgrade.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig speedometer, a detail of the original S-Class instrument panel.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig replica on Silverstone track, side profile view.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig instrument cluster, close-up of the classic gauges.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig rectangular clock, a distinctive feature of the original interior.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig turn signal stalk, detail of the vintage controls.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig replica speedometer, detail of the replica’s instrument panel.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig side mirror, a small, chrome side mirror typical of the era.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig front cornering lean, showcasing the car’s body roll during cornering.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig side view on track, highlighting its red paint and racing stance.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig front view, emphasizing its classic Mercedes-Benz grille and headlights.
Mercedes-Benz AMG 300SEL 6.3 Red Pig writer behind the wheel, capturing the driving experience.
