"Ginintuang Telon" for the "Reel Life"

Those Filipino movies made from the 70's to 90's became one of every Filipino movie fans' favorite because they think they're much better than the modern ones. Name any Filipino classic movies I'd love to remember while I wasn't born yet...Abot Kamay ang Pangarap, Agila, Rocky Plus V, Little and Big Weapon, Yakuza Contract, Enteng and the Shaolin kid, Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko, you have no idea what am I talking about... Most Filipino movies do feature cars like second generation Lancers, L300 Versa Vans, E100 Toyota Corolla, some jeepneys, and yes, you have no idea what am I talking about too. However, there are some Filipino movies, usually from the 70's to 90's do feature a Mercedes-Benz W108 and I think there's a bit reason for that...

A perfect prop for a proper Sampaguita Pictures movie!

It looks fantastic but was made for one purpose; being as stunning as any other premium sedans in today's world. Judging from its looks, the W108 is more than just a luxury limousine, it's a celebrity phenomenon. No wonder there are some Filipino movies of yesteryears do featured this...

Anyway, the special kind of W108 or W109 as they meant it, the 300SEL 6.3, is featured on Forza Motorsport 4 via the April Alpinestars Pack. At first glance, it looks more like a beautifully appointed luxury saloon because of the leather seats and some classy interior but what lies beneath this stunning machine is a 6.3L V8 engine derived from the 600 sedan. It has a top speed of 137mph and it can go 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds. It was mated with a 4-speed gearbox.

Standard equipment? Let's take a look...Air suspension, ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels, power windows, central locking and power steering, those are the standard features of the 300SEL 6.3 that's for sure.

An article from Motor Trend told about the 300SEL 6.3 that when it comes to maintaining or restoring the car, this car was made to last but owners are going to chase a worn-out example. The parts supply is good, supported by Mercedes-Benz, cheaper models provide body panels and trim, but the wood/leather interior will make restoration costs so expensive.

HowStuffWorks said that the 300SEL 6.3 has benefits such as being a prestige with punch, convenience, superlative quality, solid handling and its rarity. The disadvantages include that there are problems to the air suspension due to leaking, it's always thirsty for petrol faster, and some parts for this car are in short supply. Production of the 300SEL 6.3 began in 1967 and ended in 1972, totalling 6,526 units ever made.

Despite that the 300SEL's being a bit staunch, a bit old, and went out of production, it's still keeping up, even on Forza Motorsport 4. It's not more than just a good choice for classic car enthusiasts, this is more like a TARDIS...A time machine....

In my head...I'm not playing Forza Motorsport 4 and the year is not 2012. The year was 1962, I have a huge mustache, and I was the star of a new Sampaguita Pictures movie...

Reel Life daily!

Sampaguita Pictures? Oh, you got to be kidding me. Just because you drove that 300SEL does mean that you feel like a star of a classic Filipino movie? You're the corniest of the kind but clearly, we're planning to spoof a Filipino classic movie as a tribute to this 300SEL 6.3 but in the meantime, time to push this car round the Top Gear test track!

Uh, I just realize something...That rings a bell...

The RED PIG wows the Top Gear Studio

The Red Pig? Oh! The racecar based on the 300SEL 6.3 but being swapped with a 6.8L engine! In case you never know, four decades ago, AMG was just a small local tuning company back then. They produced special competitive versions of the 300 SEL and had an impressive, albeit short, racing career due to lack of proper tires or rule changes. Those race-spec 300SEL cars are nicknamed "Red Pig" and they finished 2nd place in the 24 hours of Spa in 1971. Five were made, three racers and two test cars. Last original works-built Waxenberger 69 "red pig" is Vehoniemi Automotive Museum, Finland.

This changes everything! There is a body kit that will replicate something from the Red Pig but what about the livery? The RED PIG livery? That requires someone with a degree at Fine Arts to do so but if you're lazy, find one at the Storefront. The RED PIG livery is the best-selling 300SEL 6.3 design in this game.

Sadly, with full power, it's hard to master a 300SEL tuned to "RED PIG" standards. Even when you take it out at the Top Gear Test Track, it's somewhat pointless. Happily however, if the RED PIG wasn't your good idea, perhaps you should look around with its spiritual successor...

Father and Son

This is the star attraction of Forza Motorsport 4's April Alpinestars Pack, the #35 Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3.

Four decades ago, Hans Heyer achieved a class victory with his Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 since 1971. His son, Kenneth Heyer, follows his father's footsteeps with the Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3, wearing the same livery as his father's.

Kenneth Heyer said in the Mercedes-Benz press release "It's a great honour, exactly 40 years after my father's success, for me to be bringing the Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3 to the starting line of the 24-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps. Together with my team colleagues, I will be trying to achieve at least second place. The SLS AMG GT3 has the potential for a place on the winner's rostrum, but as we all know, a 24-hour race obeys laws of its own,"

His Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3 wore the same number 35 as did his father's 300 SEL 6.8 AMG. In 2011 the team ended up taking a respectable third. The car went on to take second at the Bathurst 12 Hour Race as well.

Anyway, this is more like a "Like Father, Like Son" thingy when it comes to this SLS AMG GT3 wearing the RED PIG outfit but because THIS is the SLS AMG GT3, you can work on for some race replicas or fantasy race liveries. Sounds brilliant but it takes a man with a Fine Arts degree to create one.

Either the RED PIG or the Black Falcon, this is more like Mercedes-Benz's two racing legends from two different eras. 

Be in no doubt then that the 300SEL 6.3 is more of a movie star of a classic Filipino movie but when converted into the RED PIG, this is much like the other racecars from the yesteryears. As for the Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3, well, it takes time to please his father and that is why he should...