Restomod 300SEL with LS9… swoon.

[dionphaneuf]

 

[gsxr]

Text article in case you don't have 40 minutes to watch a video:

Icon's LS9-Powered Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 Is a God-Tier Restomod

Jonathan Ward shoved a supercharged Corvette V8 into a 1971 Mercedes, and somehow, it feels perfectly natural.

jalopnik.com

 

[LWB250]

Interesting comments about the use of an LS versus a later model Mercedes engine.

 

[Bogeyman]

If you've got a Benz from the 70s - 80s, those wheels are to die for.

 

[gsxr]

Interesting comments about the use of an LS versus a later model Mercedes engine.

Yeah - they went the easy route, instead of the cool route. M156/M159 would have been way cooler IMO, but a ton more R&D work. Or just buy a brand new crate LS9 from the Bowtie peeps for $21k (clearance sale).

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www.chevrolet.com

Can't argue with the ROI... makes one wonder if these will fit in a W124.

 

[jhodg5ck]

thing I don't get it with All of that it's not going to feel Anything like a 108 feels so for me @ least I don't much get the point.

 

[maw1124]

thing I don't get it with All of that it's not going to feel Anything like a 108 feels so for me @ least I don't much get the point.

As much as I love it, the point seems to have a car that LOOKS like a 63 but FEELS like something modern. I would have tried to keep the engine and transmission and played around with engine management, suspension, braking, exhaust and interior. But that’s just me, and I suppose that’s what‘s good with restomods is they can all be different. That car in particular seems almost perfect for S55k underpinnings — engine, transmission, brakes and ABC.

maw

EDIT ... I'm no purist but I'd have a really hard time swallowing a Chevrolet drivetrain in a Benz. I don't see any arguments that are going to make that work for me. If I want a Chevrolet drivetrain, they made plenty of cars with them.

 

[gerryvz]

Yep, never been a fan of resto-m0d type cars, but at least if you're going to do that stuff use a Benz engine. Even a 117 or 119 would have been better than a Chevy motor. The 6.3 was very nose-heavy due to that all iron motor being a real lump, but it was surprisingly decently balanced in stock form.

Too bad they got rid of the air suspension. It was 30 years ahead of its time.

Karl Middelhauve has played around with modern fuel injection, supercharging and other mods to the stock M100 engine, which I think is more in keeping with the original intent of the car.

 

[alabbasi]

Very cool and obviously well made. I can't imagine what it cost to build but I expect you could buy two of that Steve McQueen 6.3's for the same money. I'd be happier if they used a 4.5.

 

[gerryvz]

I'd be happier if they used a 4.5.

Totally agree.

 

[jhodg5ck]

it's kind of like the C63 with Evo II body on it... Neat, but I can drive a C63 just about anytime I want.

I want the Look and FEEL of the older cars, but Modern power and electronics that allow me More direct control with the lump under the hood...

From what I know of Mr. Wards work I suspect this thing is in the 350-450 range.

jono

 

[LWB250]

I get it, and it is cool. It's not my thing as I'm a purist, but again, there are so many powerplant options from the Mercedes line that could have been used. The commenter I read pointed out that for the money they spent the excuse that they didn't want to have to deal with the later model engine electronics is a throw-away, and I agree. I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there who have successfully transplanted later model engines and their electronics into other cars.

Dan

 

[dionphaneuf]

Agreed 100% on the motor. I'd have also liked to see a touch more done to the interior....those Singer cars are gorgeous and set a high bar. Doesn't need to be perfect but a bit more filligiree and updates here would have been cool beyond recovering/refreshing wood. Maybe some new patterns/textures/colors? But overall still fun. Have to believe it's not long before people start doing this to our cars.

 

[gerryvz]

Cousin Pierre's take...... I couldn't agree with him more.

 

[Draginev]

To be frank, it was really cool project and very planned in point of engineering but once they put the American V8 in a Mercedes had me bothered during the whole video. Not because there is wrong with American V8 but we are talking about the originality point of view.

There is similar projects for restomod and modernize the classic car called Mechatronik, which I think it is more appropriate because they put the Mercedes engine to keep it under one brand. Which I think it's fine by me but nothing beat the old original engine and restore it thou.
Source: Engine | Mechatronik - Qualität, Perfektion und Leidenschaft

Fun fact: I once emailed them in 2014 after I saw their projects and wondering if they would also make for W124 Mechatronik. This is the response I get:

 

[alabbasi]

As an enthusiast, I appreciate originality, but I also appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering that went into a build like this and some other resto mods that I've seen. There's always a market for them because some people appreciate classic looks with modern engineering. I'd prefer it if they didn't cut up a 6.3, but somebody commissioned it and got an outstanding job for a considerable amount of money.

I can't say that starting an internet war to get views impresses me. It just seems like a lazy way to ride on another's effort.