• Offered from The Youngtimer Collection
• The most extravagant and powerful super-saloon ever offered by AMG
• Commissioned and assembled by the company’s Japanese office
• Powered by the famous 385-hp 6.0-liter V-8 engine; four-speed automatic transmission
• An extreme executive limousine offering resplendent luxury and menacing performance

Before its merger with Mercedes-Benz in 2005, AMG existed as an independent tuning house. Founded in 1967 by a pair of former Mercedes-Benz engineers, AMG was primarily engaged in offering a range of performance upgrades and cosmetic accessory packages for Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Beginning in 1986, AMG also operated as the de-facto works team and engine supplier representing Mercedes-Benz in Group A and Group N competitions.

In 1989, the jewel of the AMG catalogue was the engine conversion for the W126-chassis-code S-Class 560 SEC and SEL. At a cost of $43,500, this performance package consisted of taking the stock 5.5-liter M117 V-8 engine and boring it out to 6.0 liters before equipping it with a set of proprietary, four-valve, dual-overhead-camshaft, three-piece, sand-cast cylinder heads.

In conjunction with a revised driveline supplied with freer-breathing intake and exhaust systems, the final product was capable of 385 horsepower and twice the torque at half the engine speed of the original 5.5-liter engine. When including additional modifications like uprated brakes, aerodynamics, suspension, and limitless cosmetic accoutrements, the final price of a fully-kitted 560 SEL 6.0 AMG could easily exceed $190,000.

EXTREME EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE

This 560 SEL AMG 6.0 is a Japanese-market car commissioned and assembled by AMG-Japan when new. Finished in the subtle monochrome livery of Anthracite Grey Metallic over black leather, the well-appointed interior features rich wood trim throughout. Surely among the most luxurious and extravagant super-saloons ever offered by AMG, this extreme limousine features rear, fold-out, executive tables, pleated leather door cards, contrasting, white-faced AMG gauges, a four-spoke, leather-wrapped AMG steering wheel, and an aftermarket Sony stereo system.

The car’s correct AMG engine-number sequence indicates period modification and the signature valve-cover stampings identify the 6.0-liter displacement, sequence number, and appropriate employee ID code. Further stampings on the heads, exhaust manifolds, and throttle body are similarly testify to this coupe’s significant modifications while AMG body-kit numbers throughout show correct production information.

This wonderfully menacing example of sublime AMG engineering excess would be a fantastic addition to any collection, especially ones focused on modern classics or pre-merger AMGs. Unquestionably one of the most iconic and recognizable German cars of its era, AMG-modified examples of this vintage offered unparalleled luxury, performance, and German reliability wrapped in a visually stunning package. When introduced, these autobahn-stormers were the first four-door saloons to break the 180-mph barrier, propelled by their awesome engines. They remain as impressive today as they were more than 30 years ago.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mi22.