I always knew that was the case.

A Merc was faster at the time I believe.

But how would a XY GT-HO go with a higher ratio diff, like a 3.25 or 3.0 ?

Let alone what is what from take off to 140MPH say in seconds all the way through, not just top speed.

To my knowledge AMG only offered "upgrade packages" to existing cars in those days. Around 1990 they began an agreement with M/Benz to offer complete cars ready to go off the showroom floor, not unlike the arrangement HDT had with Holden. Then in 1999 M/Benz bought out AMG, or a controlling interest anyway.

Any "early" AMG cars were not production cars.

The 300SEL 6.3 Benz's top speed appears to be slightly higher than the Ph3, but the 450SEL 6.9 (1975) kills it.

Both these cars were legitimate production cars, with build numbers much higher than the Ph3.

Dr Terry

Some are, especially those aimed at stock 1/4 mile racing, like an LS6 Chevelle with 4.10’s, but GMH also made low ratio rear ends available for those wishing to do the same with HK and HT 81837. I think Ford made 3.5 and lower optional with a PhaseIII too? Also remember many of those US vehicles had 15” wheels and tyres, and if you do the sums you see that a rear axle ratio of say 3.73 with 15” tyres is close to a HK-HT with 3.36 and 14” tyres.

There were some very notable limited run engines around 1961-3 too that went into all sorts of things, like the 421 super duty fitted mainly to Pontiac Catalina, these behemoths did 13 second quarters at close to 110mph, top speeds into the 130’s. Mostly coupes although at least some of these beastly engines from GM, Ford and others made it into sedans. Again hardly “production” status as many were specially hand built engines but then again that is not far from the PhaseIII’s reality either.
Given the Pontiacs produced in Canada up to 1970 used Chevrolet design engines there are supposedly were some Parisiennes, Laurentians etc with high power 427 and 454 engines, these were optional engines though and very small numbers built. You’d imagine most being 2 doors too.

Have a read also about 1966 Coronet Deluxe Street Hemi sedans with 425hp 426 Hemis fitted! These are General Lee engines in a sedan and were fitted with 3.23:1 rear axles and 15" tyres. These engines would rev to 7100 standard so I bet their top speed would be right up there.

The other cars I forgot about were the ChevyII/Novas. These were roughly HK size, and any body shape could be ordered with the 350hp 327 in 1966-7. And later on the 375hp 396 was optional as well. Just about anything fitted with the 327 L76 or L79 (same engine basically except L76 had the mechanical camshaft) was a quick car, even in a full size and L79 was a 14s quarter mile car regardless of auto or manual. The L46 was the same engine as the L84 375hp fuel injected 327 but with carbs. The L79 was the same but with the performance hydraulic cam.

Edited by user Tuesday, 2 April 2019 6:03:31 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified