Mercedes-Benz 600

 

This particular 600 is far from the average classic Mercedes-Benz sedan. It was crafted by aftermarket firm S-Klub LA, in which the body from a classic Mercedes-Benz 600 was installed over the interior and underpinnings from a 2024 AMG S63 E-Performance. Peak power output for this 600/AMG S63 E-Performance mashup build is 1000 horsepower and 1100 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive carry over from the AMG S63 E-Performance as well. Exterior enhancements added to the 600 body include a widebody kit, a carbon roof, a LiDAR-equipped grille with an oversize Mercedes-Benz badge, LED headlights and taillights, the front splitter, rear diffuser, and exhaust from the AMG S63 E-Performance, a large hood vent, and custom HRE wheels. The AMG S63 E-Performance's interior in this particular 600 is fully functional and factory-spec, and it comes with the optional Executive Rear Package. 

The S-Klub LA Mercedes-Benz 600 Restomod first debuted at last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It was outfitted with a massive rear wing during and around its initial debut, but as of now, the rear wing has since been removed. I had seen some photos and videos of this specific Mercedes-Benz 600 at times within the past year, and I was certainly amazed to see it in the flesh at last week's Legends of the Autobahn show during Monterey Car Week. Not only was this 600 the coolest and craziest aftermarket build on display at this year's Legends of the Autobahn, it is in fact one of the coolest and craziest aftermarket builds I have ever seen. While public opinion may be divided on the S-Klub LA Mercedes-Benz 600, I view it as extremely cool and greatly appreciate its excellent quality and attention to detail. I love how this specific Mercedes-Benz sedan combines a mostly vintage exterior design with unbelievable performance, modern luxury, and advanced technology in the most insane way possible. Stay tuned for more content from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Sources: S-Klub LA, Motor1 

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Mercedes-Benz 300SL

 

The 300SL is one of the most iconic classic Mercedes-Benz models and often deemed my many automotive historians as the first supercar. It is based on the W198-series platform and offered in either coupe form with gullwing doors (1954-57) or roadster form with traditional doors (1957-63). Powering the legendary 300SL is a 3.0-liter inline-six with a standard output of 215 horsepower in the Gullwing and up to 240 horsepower in both the Gullwing with the high-compression motor and Roadster. Each variant of the 300SL was mated to a four-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. It can potentially hit a top speed of 162 mph, making the 300SL the fastest car in the world at the time it was new. Also featured on the 300SL were a variety of technological advancements for its era, such as mechanical fuel injection, a lightweight tubular spaceframe, dry-sump lubrication, and an independent suspension. Its interior is also greatly refined as well, and its large steering wheel can be tilted to allow for easier access in and out of the vehicle. Due to many of its revolutionary and timeless aspects, German publication Auto Motor und Sport named the Mercedes-Benz 300SL its Sports Car of the 20th Century. A total of 1,400 300SL Gullwings and 1,858 300SL Roadsters were produced, with examples remaining highly sought-after by collectors and routinely selling for over $1 million on the resale market today. 

As for the first example pictured at the top of this post, while it looks like the real deal, this particular example is a heavily-modified aftermarket build based on the SLK roadster created by the folks over at S-Klub LA. Not only is it made to look very similar to the original 300SL, this specific build adds a modern AMG V8 and other high-performance mechanicals, along with custom carbon-fiber and fiberglass widebody panels and a custom removable hardtop with partial gullwing doors. The SLK-based widebody 300SL from S-Klub LA rides on an upgraded modern suspension, performance-focused Brembo brakes, and HRE aftermarket wheels. Its interior has been reimagined as well, combining classic design elements with digital screens and modern electronics. I expect many Mercedes-Benz purists to not be fans of the S-Klub LA 300SL, but I view it as unbelievably cool and out-of-this-world. 

Each of the three 300SL examples pictured here were on display at last week's Legends of the Autobahn show as part of Monterey Car Week. It was definitely great to see one of each variant of the iconic 300SL in addition to an extraordinary custom build showcased at this year's Legends of the Autobahn, as they were a few of the most valuable, special, and impressive vehicles there. Overall, the 300SL is such a beautiful and amazing classic Mercedes-Benz. Its gorgeous styling alongside its revolutionary tech and world-beating performance for the 1950s are huge contributors in helping propel Mercedes-Benz to its status as a world-class automaker. Stay tuned for more content from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Classic.com, Saratoga Auto Museum, Hemmels, Supercars.net, S-Klub LA 

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Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon (S213)

 

Next up from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show at Monterey Car Week is one of the absolute greatest cars in existence, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon. Based on the previous 213 generation E-Class, the AMG E63 S Wagon was produced from 2018 through 2023, with a facelifted version introduced for 2021. Powering the previous AMG E63 S Wagon is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system. It launches from zero to 60 mph in three seconds and can reach a top speed limited to 180 mph. Alongside the performance upgrades and some aesthetic enhancements, the AMG E63 S Wagon adds a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and a rear-drive-only drift mode over the standard E-Class Wagon and All-Terrain versions. Inside, the AMG E63 S Wagon features a great, beautiful, and premium interior that can comfortably seat five adults and offers several cubic feet of cargo space to carry luggage, groceries, and other necessities. 

The second example pictured here is the 2023 Final Edition of the previous AMG E63 S Wagon, which is distinguished by its Matt Graphite Grey Magno exterior finish, Final Edition badges on its D-pillars and center console, high-gloss black accents, tinted windows from the B-pillar back, specific wheel design, added carbon fiber interior trim, standard highly-adjustable heated performance seats, and titanium grey pearl-and-black nappa leather upholstery with yellow contrast stitching. Only 999 examples were allocated for the 2023 AMG E63 S Wagon Final Edition. Earlier versions of the S213 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon can be currently found for between $70,000 and $80,000 on the resale market, while the facelifted version from 2021 and 2023 can be found for around $100,000 and up to $140,000 for the Final Edition. There is still no word from Mercedes-Benz yet on if there will be an AMG E63 S model coming for the current 214 generation E-Class, but the AMG E53 will suffice for now as the top-of-the-line performance-focused E-Class. 

I had a feeling that there would be at least one AMG E63 S Wagon on display when I attended this year's Legends of the Autobahn show on Thursday, and I was certainly in for a treat with this particular show displaying both a pre-facelifted 2018-20 model and a 2023 Final Edition. Not only was this one of my top highlights from this year's Legends of the Autobahn, but both of these AMG E63 S Wagon examples are the winners of what I like to call the "Carson is the Type of Guy" Award. Overall, the S213 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon remains at the top of my list of dream cars that I aspire to own one day. It does many things incredibly well in terms of styling, performance, luxury, practicality, and exclusivity. Lastly, while both are absolutely amazing, I prefer the previous AMG E63 S Wagon over the current AMG E53 Wagon due to the E63 S' V8 engine and lower digital interface overload. Stay tuned for more content from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Source: Car and Driver 

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Lotec Sirius

 

The Lotec Sirius is one of the coolest, craziest, and rarest cars that most people have never heard of or are not familiar with. It was completed by German manufacturer Lotec in 2001 to take on the McLaren F1 and is powered by a 6.0-liter Mercedes-Benz V12 producing between 850 and 1,200 horsepower along with 737 pound-feet of torque. Its Mercedes-Benz-sourced V12 is paired to a six-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels. Lotec claims that the Sirius can launch from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and accomplish a top speed of 242 mph. The Sirius utilizes a carbon-fiber body over a tubular steel spaceframe and carbon monocoque chassis to maintain its relatively light weight. Other notable mechanical and aesthetic components of the Lotec Sirius consist of butterfly doors, a limited-slip differential, electronic traction control, power steering, front and rear anti-roll bars, anti-lock brakes, and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Lotec Sirius' cabin is very similar to those of other hardcore supercars and focused race cars of its era, but with some added creature comforts designed to make the vehicle more usable for everyday driving. 

Lotec intended to produce five units of the Sirius per year in the early 2000s, but investor issues and large expenses resulted in the Sirius only ever being a one-off creation. Pricing for the Lotec Sirius started at around $515,000 when new, but this unique one-of-one supercar is likely worth at least a few million dollars today. The Lotec Sirius made its latest public appearance at this year's Monterey Car Week, and I saw it up close for the first time when it was on display at the Legends of the Autobahn show during the one day I was in the Monterey area for Car Week this year. There were several unique and amazing cars and builds on display and parked nearby at this particular show, but the Lotec Sirius was by far the coolest, most impressive, most exclusive, and most unusual car there if I had to narrow the selection down to one. Before Monterey Car Week this year, I had not seen or heard much about the last Lotec supercar ever made, but that all changed after I saw it in the flesh for the first time on Thursday. Overall, the Lotec Sirius is a truly insane and extremely incredible one-off supercar, and seeing it in person for the first time ever was certainly one of the top highlights of my Monterey Car Week experience this year. Stay tuned for more content from my one day attending this year's Monterey Car Week festivities coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Lotec Legacy, Below the Radar 

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