At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1968, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the
300 SEL 6.3, a full-size sedan carrying the 6.3-liter V8 from the
legendary 600 limousine. At the time, it was the fastest sedan in
the world and quicker to 60 mph than a Porsche 911 S. More than
three decades later, the brochure for the S 63 AMG described AMG
breathing new life into "that legendary number 6.3." This time the
number belonged to a V12.
For a single month in 2001, a small circle of customers in Europe
and Asia could order the S 63 AMG directly through AMG, alongside
the V8-powered S 55. Only 70 examples were built. AMG started with
the M137 V12 from the S 600 and enlarged its bore and stroke,
turning the 5,786-cc engine into a 6,258-cc unit with a new intake
manifold, higher-lift camshafts, and a lighter crankshaft and
pistons. Output rose to 437 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque,
sent through a five-speed automatic transmission.
This example was built on 17 December 2001 and delivered on 11
January 2002 through Schoemperlen und Gast of Karlsruhe. Ernst
Schoemperlen founded the dealership in 1898, and its founders
maintained close ties to Carl Benz's family. It was ordered in
stunning Almandine Black Metallic with a Java Exclusive leather
interior and chestnut wood trim. Its original order includes Active
Body Control, ventilated multi-contour front seats, ventilated rear
seats with electric adjustment, rear climate control, COMAND,
Keyless-Go, and a glass sunroof. The order also specified the model
designations be omitted from the trunk lid and fenders. Today, the
odometer shows just under 87,000 kilometers, roughly 54,000 miles,
at the time of cataloging.
With only 70 built, the S 63 AMG is far scarcer than the S 55 and S
600 it was sold alongside. Its naturally aspirated V12 moves a
full-size limousine with ease, and from the outside almost nothing
gives it away.
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