11 replies to this topic

[VDP]

In 1969 Mercedes entered their new cars at Spa for the 24 hours, according to the french mag l'automobile, the engines were upgraded to almost 6.600 cc, what was the engine displacement others sources says 6 329 cc. Eric Waxenberger also won a race in 11/68 at Macao 6 hours Any results from this race?

Thanks

Robert

[jarama]

"sport-auto" September '69:

"Les trois Mercédès engagées étaient deux 6,8 l, pesant 1.720 kg, préparées en groupe 5 et une 6,3 l de 1.765 kg en groupe 2"


Carles.

[Milan Fistonic]

According to the Motoring News report they were 6.8-litre V8s.

They were withdrawn after practice because of tyre problems caused by inadequate homologated rim widths. Mercedes asked the CSI for permission to alter the bodywork and run wider rims but the request was turned down.

[Frank de Jong]

IIRC extended bodywork (for Group 5) had to be homologated with no minimum production number - so if Mercedes had taken the trouble to do this a few months before, there would not have been a problem. Abarth, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Ford and BMW had all done this.

On the other hand, Mercedes had been testing before Spa for a long time - I guess without tire problems.

[VDP]

Now I have a problem, 3 differents engine size in three different sources.
Nothing about the 6 hours of Macao ?

Robert

[Marc Ceulemans]

2 belgian sources:
Sport-Moteur (preview): 6884 cc
Virage-Auto: 6.8 L

[Tumppi73]

I assume you refer to one of these Mercedeses. The only surviving one out of the original 5 has a 6.3 litre engine. Not necessarily meaning the rest of them had the same engine displacement though...

[VDP]

Following more research indeed 2 cars were build 1 RHD and 1 LHD originally with normal 6.3 engine. The winning car in Macao was a RHD and was left behind after the race. 2 cars engine were bored to 6 884 cc send to Spa, the third car was one the first car the orignal LHD.
After the collapse at Spa. 2 cars went for AMG, for the 1970 season.

Robert

[Tumppi73]

Found a bit more information on Erich Waxenberg and the 6.3 - 6,8L MBs.

[Frank de Jong]

Originally posted by VDP
Following more research indeed 2 cars were build 1 RHD and 1 LHD originally with normal 6.3 engine. The winning car in Macao was a RHD and was left behind after the race. 2 cars engine were bored to 6 884 cc send to Spa, the third car was one the first car the orignal LHD.
After the collapse at Spa. 2 cars went for AMG, for the 1970 season.

Robert

As far as I know the 1971 (not 1970) AMG car was built from a damaged road car and had no works connection whatsoever.
Klaus Behrmann raced another 6.8 Mercedes in 1971 in national races and in Paul Ricard.

[Michael Müller]

Originally posted by Frank de Jong


As far as I know the 1971 (not 1970) AMG car was built from a damaged road car and had no works connection whatsoever.

That's correct.

[Michael Müller]