Modern ( post 50's ) SL race cars?

[97 SL320]

Specifically, the 90 to 01 R129 body. These are more of a sporting car than a sports car as they are pretty big ( wide ) and heavy ( 4,100 LB )

Anyone know if there were any serious road race cars built on this body? I've seen pictures of drag cars but nothing on the road race side.

At some point I will end up finding a parts car and am real tempted to strip it, add a cage then turn it into a still street legal track day car. Even with a cage I'd think 3,500 lb is possible, a 6 cyl car would be preferable as motors are plentiful from the E320 and similar. The prefect candidate would be a car that has a shredded interior, light body damage ( no rust though ) motor / trans / electrical woes.

[Strife]

I have seen one, but I can't remember on what board. Ironically, they can be less expensive than a comparable W107, so a problem-laden (interior, inop top, goodie problems ) example can be had relatively inexpensively, and in the top on (more or less permanently), they are supposed to feel like they are carved out of a solid piece of metal. I'll bet you could pull a lot of weight out of the interior, due to the increased sophistication of the car, just in the seats alone.

[teezer]

here's one i found a couple years ago ~~~ a 129 with a bmw m5 motor and one big a$$ turbo

[nobby]

Originally Posted by teezer

here's one a found a couple years ago ~~~ a 129 with a bmw m5 motor and one big a$$ turbo

That's sucking so much air that it collapsed the air filter!


OK, maybe not...but a good visual.

[97 SL320]

Originally Posted by Strife

Ironically, they can be less expensive than a comparable W107, so a problem-laden (interior, inop top, goodie problems ) example can be had relatively inexpensively, and in the top on (more or less permanently), they are supposed to feel like they are carved out of a solid piece of metal.

Yep that is the plan since most of the electronic stuff will be removed anyway.

I have not driven mine with the top off yet, but with the hard top on you would never know it was removable.

The R 129 is a good value right now, new enough to have been built from modern materials, old enough to be just another used car, but not old enough to hit the classic market.

The BMW transplant sounds interesting since BMW has good aftermarket support, but that requires $$ . However, if I can find another 320, I'd hang on a 4 to 6 PSI turbo and call it a day.

[armani]

What do you think about Ferrari? Can we also include it in modern racing car?
Anyway I have BMW and you can't defeat me even you are at your racing car. I bet you...

[97 SL320]

Found a car to build, see this thread for any progress.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/sl-forum/323039-building-perfect-beast-r129-road-race-car.html#post2992683