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Jay Leno Gets New AMG Engine for his 1969 300SEL 6.3 Benz

Everybody knows that famous TV personality Jay Leno has a soft spot for cars, whether we’re talking about steamers or the latest supercar. He likes new cars as much as he likes old ones. So the famous TV host decided to combine the retro design with state of the art technology.

The retro design will be provided with the help of Jay’s 1968-1972 300SEL 6.3, a model was first introduced at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show. This was the product of one of Mercedes-Benz’s engineers who took the 109-series Type 300 SEL sedan and shoved the Type 600 limo's 6.3-liter V8 underhood.

After the transplant, the car had 250 horsepower, which allowed it to reach 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 136 mph. The 300SEL 6.3 was the fastest road-going sedan of the time.

The car was faster than a Porsche 911 S or a Jaguar E-Type 4.2 and handled like a dream due to its pneumatic suspension, anti-dive control and four-wheel disc brakes.

As Jay Leno owns one of these old monsters, he decided to update it with a 6.2 liter V8 M156, the same engine fitted on the S63, SL63 and E63 AMG. Though previously he announced that his engine choice was the M159 V8, the one which powers the new SLS, it seems like he had a change of heart.

Leno just got the engine from Mercedes-Benz along with their blessing. Engineers from the German manufacturer will help with the transplant. The result will be, without a doubt, magnificent.
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