mechatronik-merc-w111-2011-04-20

Behold. This is the latest old-car-with-new-stuff from classic Mercedes specialists Mechatronik, whose tuning philosophy ranks highly on the TopGear.com scale of wondrousness.
 
Method: find old Mercedes W111 coupe. Remove dull 60s engine. Fit supersonic AMG lump and running gear. Make it shiny and inconspicuous. Win.

See more pictures of the Mechatronik Merc 

Yep, this quiet old classic - named the M-Coupe - has a 5.5-litre 360bhp AMG V8 that produces a chassis-twisting 376lb ft of torque. To cope with the power, the old girl's all off-the-shelf AMG underneath - the five-speed auto, propshaft, driveshafts and differential all come from the MB subsidiary's back catalogue.
 
The suspension's been tinkered with, too. And you'd hope so - the W111's original swing-arm underwear's pretty antiquated. Mechatronik ripped out everything and fitted stainless steel rebound-adjustable dampers and 20mm lowering springs. They replaced all the rubber stuff while they were there, too.
 
This means that the W111's capable of 60mph in less than six seconds and tops out at a tethered 150mph. Any faster would probably be slightly terrifying - remember, the less-than-slippery coupe was launched when Kennedy was president: 1961.
 
Inside, there's an uprated sound system, aircon and specially developed heated sports seats, which look just like the originals. It's also fitted with a retro Becker Mexico satnav, which does a sterling job of disguising itself as 60s tech.
 
It is a touch expensive, around £263,000, which is Maybach money. But frankly, what would you rather roll around in?