This fully hand-built award winning piece of high-performance machinery is none other than a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC, and unlike the typical Mercedes-Benz W126 560 SEC, this example was heavily customized for show and racing purposes with a patented chassis design featuring independent rear suspension (US Patent 5577571 by Bob Rizzoli of Rizzoli Competition Design), an 850hp 358 cubic inch chevy small block motor built by Texas-based engine builder David Nickens, a custom built Liberty racing transmission, and many other components and features that you simply won’t find on any other Mercedes-Benz period. This custom-built dragster was constructed by Bob Rizzoli over the course of three and a half years, and once completed, was exhibited during the 1995 Autorama, subsequently leading to the car becoming the first European-based vehicle, and also possibly the only serious competition car to win one of the most prestigious automotive design awards, the Don Ridler Memorial Award. The famous award is named after Autorama’s first promoter from 1956 to 1963, Don Ridler, and was first implemented during the 12th annual Autorama in 1964. Not only has this car won the Ridler Award in 1995 under very strict guidelines, but it’s also racked up approximately 100 other awards, as well as appearing on numerous publications covers such as the Bon Dia Aruba newspaper in November of 1999 and Super Stock magazine in 1995. RCD (Rizzoli Custom Race Cars. This 560 SEC ran in both NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) and IHRA (International Hot Rod Association) competitions and held an IHRA National Drag Racing record (Presidents Cup Budds Creek, MD 10/3/99 – 7.933 seconds, 169.08 MPH, ¼ Mile). The doors and fenders of this 560 SEC are original, but lightened, and the hood of the car was constructed out of fiberglass. The car also retains a number of other original Mercedes-Benz components, all while weighing in at just 1800lbs.
How many many? One-of-a-kind
Engine: 358 cubic inch chevy small block
Debut: 1995 Autorama
Top Speed: n/a
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @scottgrundforcompany
Research: @rarecarsonl