To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$120,000 - $140,000
- Offered from the Youngtimer Collection
- Most desirable tuner upgrade available for Mercedes-Benz in the
period
- Stunning black on black color scheme
Prior to its merger with Daimler AG, AMG was an independent tuner
that was established in 1967 by Daimler-Benz engineers Hans Werner
Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher (the G is for Grossaspach, Aufrecht's
birthplace). AMG would modify engines and sell performance
accessories that customers could use to upgrade their Mercedes-Benz
automobiles. By the 1980s, customers were special-ordering
Mercedes-Benzes through AMG with expensive modifications, yet the
two companies' first joint product, the AMG C36, would not be
introduced until 1993.
Arguably the most legendary of these "pre-merger" automobiles is
the 560 SEC AMG. Powered by a 6.0-liter V-8, the engine itself was
designed and built at Affalterbach using AMG custom quad-cam head
with four valves per cylinder, producing twice the torque at half
the engine speed of the original 5.6-liter engine. On the outside,
the car was fitted with distinctive AMG-designed front and rear
fenders and door panels that allowed much wider wheels and tires to
be fitted.
While not much is known about the history of this example, the
current owner purchased the car in Japan in 2017, where it is
believed to have been delivered new. Subsequently imported to
Switzerland, it joined a number of other pre-merger AMG creations.
It presents well in its sinister black on black color scheme,
beautifully contrasted inside with wood trim and an upgraded stereo
and navigation system affixed in front of the passenger seat.
With such extensive work, the cost of commissioning such a
Mercedes-Benz was a breathtaking $200,000. Nevertheless, the AMG
560 SEC 6.0 developed a passionate following, and they are still
fiercely sought after today for their incredible looks and equally
impressive performance. This example will surely command attention
wherever its travels.To view this car and others currently
consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
