CAFÉ RACER 76

ICON ! The Raiden Files, Stage 4: Snow Slalom

The ice lay gleaming in front of us. It would be a pretty sight if we did not have to ride across it. Even though studded tires were installed, it took a hearty dose of courage to conquer the tundra. Our sideways snow blast over, it was onto the final piece of our mission.

To outfit yourself for a snow crossing, visit http://www.Rideicon.com/patrol/

To ride among us at http://www.facebook.com/iconmotosports

Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL: A pin-striped revolutionary

Ostensibly, this black Mercedes saloon could not be more traditional, and hardly a ‘classic’. However, underneath the sober lines of the W109-series saloon lies some advanced engineering: quite revolutionary in fact.

In the late 1960s, Mercedes’ designer Paul Bracq joined in the general sense of rebellion by designing the new W108 saloon without 'fins'.

With the 250, 250 SE and 300 SE, the famous Stuttgart company introduced fuel-injection to the mass market.

A little later it added the 300 SEL, ‘L’ for lang denoting a long-wheelbase limousine. The extra 10cm in the wheelbase was not the only change, for this model saw the introduction of air suspension front and rear (the previous ‘fin tail’ estate had air suspension at the rear only). The system is best known in the Tarmac-shredding 300 SEL 6.3.

So different was the long-wheelbase SEL model with air suspension that Mercedes allocated it a new type number: W109. At first, the car ran with a 170bhp straight six. Not the most exciting motor, we’d agree, but more than enough to blow VW Beetles off the Autobahn at 100+mph. A 280 version of that ’six soon followed, with more serious power coming from the 200bhp 3.5-litre V8. A 4.5-litre V8 was also fitted – a rare beast nowadays.

Classic Driver dealer Mirbach let us try this 300 SEL 2.8. It is in quite superb condition. The 200bhp engine was replaced at 80,000km with a genuine Mercedes unit. The seats are still covered with original fabric. Its specification of four electric windows, an electric sunroof, a Becker Mexico radio-cassette player and automatic transmission make it rare and desirable. Costly maintenance such as overhauling the air suspension has already been carried out by a previous owner.

So, comrades, why not join the revolution?

Related Links

This car, available from Claus Mirbach, Hamburg, in the Classic Driver Marketplace

All cars available from Mirbach, Hamburg, in the Classic Driver Marketplace

You can browse over 500 classic and modern Mercedes-Benz motor cars in the Classic Driver Marketplace

Text: Sven Jürisch (ClassicDriver.com)
Photos: Jan Richter

Motor Trend Season 1 - A Look Back at 2012

For the final video of 2012, we take a look back at the highlights (and lowlights!) of Season 1 on the Motor Trend Youtube channel. Join hosts Angus MacKenzie, David Freiburger, Jessi Lang, Carlos Lago, Ari Henning, Mike Finnegan, Jonny Lieberman, Bradley Adams and more as they share their favorite memories and most challenging moments from 2012... and offer a few hints at what's in store for 2013 and Season 2!

SEX & SPEED | “JUNGLE PAM” HARDY & “JUNGLE JIM” LIBERMAN LIGHT ‘EM UP

1973 — “Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman with his Chevy Vega Funny Car.

You’d be hard-pressed to say who was hotter back in the ’70s– “Jungle Pam” in her go-go boots, short-shorts, and titillating tops… or “Jungle Jim” Liberman’s rubber-melting burnouts, wheelstands, and screaming up and down the length of the dragstrip backwards. Liberman was arguably one of the most flamboyant and memorable showmen on the funny car circuit, who knew better than anyone what the crowd wanted– and hiring the 18 yr old tall, dark and sexy “Jungle Pam” Hardy as his sassy staging sidekick was a calculated stroke of marketing genius. But she was no lightweight– she quickly learned to turn a wrench, know here way around cars, the crowds, and the scene– the fans loved her.

“Jungle Pam” is still a legend to this day, and a true original. Sadly, Jim Liberman left us back in ’77 when his Corvette hit a bus head-on in a tragic road accident. His spirit lives through all the drivers he’s inspired, and the countless memories of his “Jungle Jim” antics and achievements during Liberman’s legendary racing career.