In this video, I count down the 21 rarest Mercedes-AMG models ever produced based on available numbers. Which was your favourite? Note: this video is covering entirely separate models rather than editions.
I work for Mercedes-Benz and just learned about AMGs I’ve never heard of. The E42, G36, and ‘02 G63 have managed to elude me over the years. One of the best videos I’ve seen in a while.
Ooh yeah baby, I am a proud owner of an E55 which when released was referred to as "The Beast". I have modded my car to the max, and being a 800 odd post member of the MBWorld forum, thought I knew all there was to know about the mods which are possible on this platform. Well this "King of The Beasts" right here has blown me away with modifications which are unheard of by most enthusiasts of the M113K platform. More boost, revised camshafts, better flowing cylinder heads, racing forged pistons, strengthened crank case, upgraded oil system and a more responsive transmission, are all (for the most part) unique to this car.
There’s a channel called ‘petrolicious’ who have recently done a piece in that car - don’t want to spoil it for you so I would recommend watching it - interesting history 👍
drcheekyisback thank you , I will definitely check it out , but I know there’s more then one , because my friend has had all these amgs and he had a wagon and it’s not the one you saw sell recently in the France auction . Plus these wagons don’t have any documentation from amg . So no one really knows but they are extremely rare and even if there’s 2 , it’s still cool . I’am not saying that they wasn’t built from amg but supposedly they didn’t have any amg stamps on them cause it was built in the late 70’s . If i’am not mistaken . Thank you , I will watch the video !
I have had several Mercs over the years and I am finally happy with my 2006 E55 supercharged 5.4 liter with a management upgrade producing 512 bhp. This had the better supercharger,differential and many improvements for the 2006 final year of production. What a rocket ship faster than the E63. I’m a very happy MB fan
Mercedes should be paying you ,,you are doing a great service , compiling and posting all this information in one place... My pick is the CLK GTR Roadster,,,,wagons and 4x4's just don't appeal.
Sadly, most of those are long lost because we all know what happens to any car that enters the hell hole that is the collection of that spoiled sultan.
I have an 04 CLK55 AMG . I was told it was rare. But after seeing this I'm not so sure how rare. I love the sound of the V8 and the sport seats that hug you. On smooth roads I feel like a boss. On rough roads I feel like I bought the wrong car.
Depends where you live a lot of the time, I have a W210 E55 estate car, the UK got less than 300 so I'm not sure how many right hand drive ones are left now, world production of saloons and estate was 12000 though most went to the USA and they didn't get the wagon. I'm still way off the pace of this list but I suspect the W210 is just about the most unloved AMG so far. :D
I was lucky enough to own an R129 AMG SL60 (which we called "the rocket"), to which I had it tuned and racing cats / titanium exhaust fitted. Awesome car and one I miss indeed. Great video on AMG's - well done!
@@iG0DLiK3x3 i think it had more to do with the paint. Interestingly i heard the 4matics did better with rust because they were made in separate factory.
I owned a W210 E36, which was certainly rare here in the UK (around 12 in the country). Awesome car! I knew about a fair few of the cars in this video, but the S73 AMG T is new to me. Absolute love it!
AMG tuner cars among the public had been around since 72 I think, firstly with a warmed over M110 in the 280E but initially gained notoriety with their 500SEC 5.4 running around the Autobahn in the early 80s keeping pace with a Ferrari or Porsche, which were given free to all the Le Mans drivers as a marketing exercise by Mercedes to sell the new S class range and then taken to AMG for tuning, this was their all out modification, with no expense spared. With their custom tune DOHC heads and the oversquare, free revving 5.0 base engine these have about 340bhp and top speeds around 280km/h (170mph for those of you in the dark ages). The long stroke 560 a couple of years down the track was more a luxury cruiser engine intended purely for the heavy 126 models, whilst the 5.0 litre was originally a sports engine derivative of the 450 M117, intended for the SL but also wound up initially in the new S class. The later 560 certainly has some good horsepower with the quad-downpipe ECE tune but it was never put into the sports SL model in Europe because it simply wasn't considered free revving enough to be very sporty. Only American exports came in a 560SL and it was purely because the California regulations power loss of the smaller engines killed sales there for the SL and it was an attempt to regain them with a detuned 560 that wouldn't keep up with a Euro 500 on its best day. Meanwhile the 86-7 560SEL/SEC started with an AMG DOHC version in 5.7 litres for about 360bhp, which would probably keep pace with an AMG SL 5.4, although as mentioned does have a lazier feel to it for the long stroke. As a consequence, many European buyers particularly of the SEC opted for the 500 even whilst sold alongside the 560. The 6.0 litre version of the DOHC 560 therefore first appeared in a widebody SEC marketing project a couple of years later around 1988, a response of simply throwing more horsepower at it which topped at around 380 with a very broad torque increase and that engine became fairly popular for the AMG C126 in a wide body configuration during later production, several immediately purchased in Japan where most in today's market tend to appear from. In cliff notes an early AMG 126 and any SL which has the DOHC heads of an engine tune and not just the cosmetic/suspension AMG sport pack, will always be a 5.4, whilst a late 126 will be a 6.0 and mixed in there, in the middle somewhere would be a handful of 5.7 alongside more 5.4. Now, all these engines and the M117 generally get pretty confusing through this period so I hope I have it mostly correct, at least theme wise in the simplistic linear progression I've tabled. It is also noteworthy to mention that AMG has been shown to, on occasion understate horsepower figures for various reasons, which at this time may have been compliance plating on modified factory cars as independent tuners. Sources therefore vary on actual outputs throughout this period and the 90s, AMG themselves at various times quoting different horsepower for the same engines, but torque is really more relevant and measurable anyway, it's we armchair enthusiasts and braggarts who like simple Simon horsepower comparisons that don't really mean a whole lot other than variations in terminal speed on a set track with the same acceleration times, or as a largely inaccurate tuning tool calculated from torque production. In 1986 AMG also produced a flagship engineering project as a marketing exercise and a Le Mans pace car, based upon the fairly recent, general market executive class and entry level compact model Mercedes: the 124 chassis and 201. They butchered a 300CE and shoved the 5.4 litre M117/9 engine in it, then took it down a nice long stretch of road and became the world's first, non-supercar to crack 300km/h. It was immediately featured in the next edition of Wheels Magazine, article entitled IIRC, "The Hammer to beat a Ferrari with," and the name stuck (cover title was IIRC again, "The Hammer is here"), photographed with its brutal looking widened track, wide body stance and road tested with comparable or better acceleration times than a Lamborghini. Well it was less expensive than a Lamborghini but not my a whole lot and more expensive than a kitted out S class. There were a small number sold, by the next year their 5.7 litre engine was in it and from about 89 the 6.0 litre or any option of them a buyer preferred but it was primarily and not inexpensively a marketing exercise to showcase AMG engineering expertise. But possibly to their dismay, seeing the Mercedes-Cosworth rally venture morphed into a DTM venture and Mercedes didn't sign AMG for it (they already backed off from Cosworth due to their "wild" engine proposal and made it themselves with detuned Cosworth features, have a look at a track spec Evo motor, ca. 280bhp at about 8500rpm to have an idea of what Cosworth intended for the 190E 2.3-16), then when Mercedes decided to redesign the 124 chassis to accommodate a V8 around 88-89 for later production, despite being inspired by the AMG "Hammer" and their M119 engine derived from the AMG DOHC M117/9 they went and signed Porsche to do it. The emphasis they wanted was recliner, not bar stool but the 500E is a mighty performer too. Wheels Magazine also did a feature for the AMG Le Mans pace car project, the little brother of the Hammer based upon the lightweight but very well engineered 201 chassis, designed for the M102 four cylinder engine but which Mercedes had put a de-sleeved version of the new 3.0 litre M103 SOHC six cylinder engine into as a luxury option aside the base 2.0 litre and sport 2.3-16, the 190E 2.6. Again things differed slightly for American exports, again solely due to stricter emissions and the KE-Jetronic 2.0 litre M102 derived from an older 2.3 litre engine from the 123 chassis was too underpowered detuned for the US so Mercedes went back to the older M102 as a 2.3 litre, fitted the new KE-Jetronic from the 2.0 190E to it and used that capacity for the American base model to offset detuning, whilst the high strung 2.3-16 just put up with a horsepower loss for Americans and the M103 quite remarkably for the time didn't have issue with Cali regulations, it passed them with the power it had in any version, being the newest Mercedes engine family and chambered for unleaded fuel from the beginning (although catalytic converters came slightly later and sapped 2 horsepower, note for backyard tuners: cat deletion on a Mercedes or any Euro prestige or supercar is utterly pointless in addition to being a criminal offence on road cars in all developed nations). The AMG project based upon this car was far more tame than the Hammer in terms of engineering feats: the de-sleeved 2.6 was re-sleeved again for 3.2 litres and received a thorough makeover for 240 quoted horsepower, a 6 second 0-100km/h sprint time (0-60mph if you live in ancient Rome), 0-400m in 14 seconds flat (standing quarter in American), and with the overdrive 5spd and 3.27 gears topped out at 260km/h (160mph), with the 4spd auto and 3.07 it was 240km/h, but lost half a second on acceleration times. This car, Wheels Magazine called "The Porsche with a baby seat." Somewhere they undoubtedly referred to it as the Hammer's baby brother, so those terms stuck as well and it became known as the Baby Hammer. This one was a lot more affordable than a Hammer, obviously, but perhaps surprisingly not altogether a whole big bunch of them were ever made/sold. At this time their tuner variations were often available by dealer referral, although Daimler Benz AG instructed AMG to remove Mercedes stars from their vehicles fitted with modified engines at threat of lawsuit, which is why the first thing you look for in a genuine AMG fitted with one of their tuner engines is the front star emblem is blanked with an AMG button and the trunk lid one is either removed or covered over with a spoiler. Obviously AMG also had to offer their own warranty on the modified vehicle, it's all that legal stuff company accountants like. So that's my car. Well, the project started as an AMG 3.2 Baby Hammer replica but cars have got so much faster these days, have you seen the new A45 compared to the series 1, now that I can generally keep with but not the new. So the camshaft got a lot heavier than an AMG and the ECU for the KE-Jet is a lot newer, this fitment is currently going in. A couple of weeks ago it was vanilla late model WRX neck and neck, when I get it back in a week or two it'll be late model STI in an 80s AMG replica, that's fast enough for a daily driver. The Hammer was far too expensive to try to replicate and I really only like those two cars. Have seen a couple of guys do it though, some using the M119 but there was one who actually found a pair of quad cam AMG M117/9 heads and was building his M117 block with all the right internals to put them on. Seen an M119 in a W201 as well, and some nutter put a V12 in one, the 6.0 litre from the R129 I think. You Tubed a run down the street, that thing was insane. He pulled it apart again though, I don't think it was registerable or something. Oh yeah there's a bunch of AMG pre-merger W/C124 as well, and a low budget 201. The AMG 2.6 is basically just a sport pack on the 190E with a 200hp engine makeover. The AMG 3.0 is the same thing with a 300E/CE (actually saw a CE one back in the 80s), that had 215hp. Then the AMG 3.4 is based on the M104 DOHC 300E-24 and I can't remember exactly how much power that one is, it was at an Oz Benz club meet I went to a couple of years ago, something around 260hp and basically looks mostly just like a post-merger E36. Then of course AMG tuner packs were available since day one on the 190E 2.0 and the 2.3-16, IIRC the AMG performance pack 16v was 215hp, which is what they raced on the track initially, the performance pack was its track modification which was done by AMG at the time.
Nice video. I remember living in Darien in 1987. The next suburb over was Westmont. I would go to the AMG dealership all the time just to drool over the cars. Sales associate was going to test drive a car one day while I was there. He said he had to test it right before delivery. After seeing me around quite a bit, he asked me if I wanted to go with him. I was 20. That memory has stayed with me my whole life. It was a beast of a car. It was the hammer.
@@BlueRidgeMB Did you work there? I loved that place. You could drive right by it and not notice it. Very unassuming. I used to have a bunch of pics of the cars on the lot and in the showroom. The one he took me for a ride in was black. I never got his name, but he actually looks like the pictures of Helmut. I wouldn't have known who that was at the time. It wasn't him, I'm sure. This gentleman was probably in his late 40's early 50's. I remember him getting on the highway and we were doing almost 100mph before merging from the onramp. I was in heaven. He did tell me about the wagon they had. It was blue. It was insane. I got to see it before it hit the magazines. All he said was that it was going to a gentleman in Canada and that he was a billionaire. I asked if they would ever join up with Mercedes, and he said that the two owners had very differing opinions on that. One didn't want to at all, and the other was open to it. I guess that is why Renntech was born? Do you have any stories to share about the old Westmont place???
Between 7/99 to 6/2000 there were 190 of s55 and s55l amg handbuild -based on the s500l chassis.... Modell Nr. 220.175 (A 1; 2) The modell was not listened at the normal dealer price docs, and were only built by inquiry. The chassis were brought to AMG and finalised on there production line by hand. After summer 2000 up to 2004 the s55 and the s55l can be ordered by standard Mercedes order list and got the 220.073 and 220.173 chassis numbers. These modells then were built at mercedes assembly line and not at AMG production line. This only for additional information that the first year all s55/l are handmade modified s500 cars through AMG. All the same they have done all the years before -w140, etc.-
You forgot one important model. The worlds first serieproduced car with ceramic discs, the CL 55 AMG F1 Limited Edition. 55 units made, number 9 is resting in my garage.
The Outsider if you google, that’s what mercedes claims: mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/en/instance/ko/Ceramic-brakes-in-series-production-special-CL55AMG-model.xhtml?oid=4913083
How many of those were made? He compiled the rarest AMGs, so maybe it doesn't qualify for this specific video. But it sure is worth a look, especially since Mercedes was the first carmaker to put a diesel in a production car.
Great video. In 80s when I was a kid, my dad worked for a big company who the main ceo had a Hammer on demo from Stratton in Manchester. Reg AMG 1, or 1 AMG I can't remember fully. Think it was the w124 saloon, in black or dark blue. Very special car not really known then. A few years later, he had the 560SEC wide body. Thats my 80s car experiences as a kid
My grandparents had a “Hammer” sedan. It was dark blue... if only we had a garage with all the cars my family once owned... they just didn’t know back then... it was just in the moment for them... heart and gut wrenching...
Blue Ridge Mercedes You’re kidding... Please Email me - lelandrkelce@gmail.com. I’ll dig up the pictures of it at their house. We are going over there for Christmas Day. Thank you for reaching out.
Blue Ridge Mercedes Hey! If you could please contact me about the midnight blue hammer, I would REALLY appreciate it! Us grandkids are in a position now to where we would love to attempt to get that car back! We are a major car family and we would love to see that back in one of our garages (mine!). Please please please reach out and let me know where it is!! If you would like me to contact you, please let me know how!
2013 C63 Japan Limited. 15 coupes, 20 sedans. All performance goodies available at that time incuding M156 engine with performance pack (SLS forged pistons, rods and crankshaft - 487hp). Each car colored white with red mirrors and red rear spoiler, but also.... each car WITHOUT SUNROOF. There was no "sunroof delete" option at that time in W204, you could only take standard sunroof or panoramic. The sedan being lighter of both was 45kg lighter than common c63 with lower COG.
3 CLK-GTR SuperSports were made (2 in silver and 1 in red with black wing). The rarest road-going/legal AMG Mercedes is the CLK-LM Straßenversion (1 of 1, FIA/LM GT1 homologation special from 1998).
I knew that the V12 M137 E63 and M297 models were among the rarest, but I was extremely surprised to hear about W124 E42, rarer than 6.0 hammer and even E34/36 coupe and convertible.
Back in 2000, I owned a real 47K mile 1986 AMG 6.0L car. My car was based on the 560SEL that was remade into a true AMG factory original AMG with 6.0 liter (32v) car. She had AMG heads marked #48 and #50. When I owned it she could easily push close to 400hp at 6 grand rpm even after all these years! This car was never registered in the USA until I had it sent to me from Canada in 2000 and passed U.S. Customs without any problems! In 1986 over $60,000USD was spent at the AMG North American factory. I'm the 2nd owner... (and for you AMG history buffs) the original registered owner was Mr. Paul Fingold who was a partner with AMG and financial supporter of the AMG of North America site during the factory's hay days. My AMG 6.0L was well maintained since new and was NEVER driven in winter conditions, etc. Description: Color: beautiful dark Metallic AMG black on gray cloth, Full AMG interior gages, AMG Sheepskin seat-covers, rear AMG spoiler, Five star 16x7 & 16x9 AMG rims, AMG body skirts, AMG suspension, AMG 6.0 engine, AMG 4-speed automatic transmission and AMG posi track rear end, sunroof, and a 1980s circa high-end sound system with amps and dash mounted cell phone and antenna. Do you guys remember the TV show Miami Vice... where on occasions they would show a all white 560SEL AMG... well mine was exactly like that one but mine was all black and lowered. !! GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN !!
Nice list! The E36 Convertible at 5:39 was recently sold at an RM-Sothebys auction for around $31k. Pretty good price, although the colour combination is a bit odd.
Damn Good! 1 SL 73 and 1 G63 6X6. Not greedy, just two cars. OK, throw in a CLK GTR for runs to Costco for beer! Very good research and your video is reference quality. Keep it up! Terry
nyyanks22 I live in Canada and there is a 2009 clk 63 Convertable black on black curious if it has value under 100000 km thank you for the info much appreciated 👍🏻
Ralph Smallblock they probably are worth something but the pre-merger amgs are the ones that go for big bucks , I will ask my freind for you about that cat , he works for Benz , I’ll ask him to check k for you 👍
You forgot about SLR 722 Roadster S only 150 units and fantastic Stirling Moss with only 75 units made👌.Of course,every one will say,that is not Mercedes AMG,only English McLaren?I would like to say that those hipers cars are more Mercedes-Benz AMG than typical McLaren🤷🏻♂️
I know someone that owns a W208 clk55 amg that was built for Ralph Schumacher by Mercedes/amg but couldn't have the car when finished apparently due to changing from Mercedes F1 team, the four wings were widened to fit the split rimmed amg alloy wheels that were made for the car and all work was done at the amg factory aswel as some slight engine work . I have personally seen the paperwork that originally came with the car stating the modifications that amg had done etc but can't find anything on the net regarding this car but to date the car is still in perfect condition with only 41k on it and even though it's nearly 20yrs old it still doesn't look dated and is no slouch when the pedal is pushed.
In this video, I count down the 21 rarest Mercedes-AMG models ever produced based on available numbers. Which was your favourite? Note: this video is covering entirely separate models rather than editions.
It's gotta be the sl73. Awesome engine in a classic bodystyle.
V12 wagon? I wonder how much that'd go for on BaT.
I like the old school stuff. The E60, "Hammer", and E36 Coupe floats my boat. But outright fave is the C126 AMG SEC.
Missed the CLS55 IWC Edition. Only 55 sold in the US
The AMG SEC is just absolutely insane, massive, unfuckgiver. Only outmatched by the deliriously savage CLK GTR AMG.
I work for Mercedes-Benz and just learned about AMGs I’ve never heard of. The E42, G36, and ‘02 G63 have managed to elude me over the years. One of the best videos I’ve seen in a while.
Same here ive only seen one
E42
How is it working for Mercedes?
@02honeydew There’s great days, and then there’s completely awful days. Kind of like any other job, but with a ton of nice cars.
@@bmwjetsm I like the way you put that lol. That's pretty cool though working with high dollar cars even though it sucks sometimes.
I'm looking at 3 cars atm. Would you recommend the 2010 E500 4MATIC W212?
Or the 2010 E63 AMG MCT?
Or 2003 E55 AMG 5G TRONIC?
Wow this was a great video. A lot of AMGs that I've never seen before were listed here.
check out the C30 CDI AMG. It is the ONLY Diesel AMG ever built.
@@mercedesbenz1457 There even existed a G-Class version of this.
Man that CLK DTM with the M113K did it for me. AMG 4 life
michael sisaye amg for life but u drive a toyota
@@readyflakko9869 how the fuck do you know if he/she drives a Toyota?!
They should named it CLK - Bernd Schneider... 😉
Yep I own e55k with m113k v8 supercharged but now want this dtm as even more power and less weight.. Probably costs 20 x as much though
Ooh yeah baby, I am a proud owner of an E55 which when released was referred to as "The Beast". I have modded my car to the max, and being a 800 odd post member of the MBWorld forum, thought I knew all there was to know about the mods which are possible on this platform. Well this "King of The Beasts" right here has blown me away with modifications which are unheard of by most enthusiasts of the M113K platform. More boost, revised camshafts, better flowing cylinder heads, racing forged pistons, strengthened crank case, upgraded oil system and a more responsive transmission, are all (for the most part) unique to this car.
Weird to hear “E46” and “Mercedes” in one sentence
Lofi Pinky and e 36
Or E63 BMW 6series
Or E60 and mercedes
He didn't say E46 in the video. You meant E36.
They were trolling
technically the Wagon AMG Hammer is a 1/1 (W124), that was rebuilt from an 87 diesel at the AMG plant for a customer in Canada.
Arthur Malczewski I saw another one in a collection . But I ageee it’s still very rare and very cool .
There’s a channel called ‘petrolicious’ who have recently done a piece in that car - don’t want to spoil it for you so I would recommend watching it - interesting history 👍
drcheekyisback thank you , I will definitely check it out , but I know there’s more then one , because my friend has had all these amgs and he had a wagon and it’s not the one you saw sell recently in the France auction . Plus these wagons don’t have any documentation from amg . So no one really knows but they are extremely rare and even if there’s 2 , it’s still cool . I’am not saying that they wasn’t built from amg but supposedly they didn’t have any amg stamps on them cause it was built in the late 70’s . If i’am not mistaken . Thank you , I will watch the video !
drcheekyisback you saw on the top gear channel ? Inside chris Harris dream garage ? Look at that video if you haven’t saw it
Also, type in bbc America channel , meet the Mercedes / top gear / bbc America and you will see the 1979 wagon that I was referring to 👍
I have had several Mercs over the years and I am finally happy with my 2006 E55 supercharged 5.4 liter with a management upgrade producing 512 bhp.
This had the better supercharger,differential and many improvements for the 2006 final year of production.
What a rocket ship faster than the E63.
I’m a very happy MB fan
The CLK DTM coupe is my pick; good job on a very well presented video.
Mercedes should be paying you ,,you are doing a great service , compiling and posting all this information in one place...
My pick is the CLK GTR Roadster,,,,wagons and 4x4's just don't appeal.
Saw a clk-gtr roadster in Mercedes world, weybridge. 1 of 5. Presence like no other
LE544 SL 65 Black Series is my favourite one
The w140 wagon 93 with coupe frnt😳
Strangest car here but LOVE IT
Sadly, most of those are long lost because we all know what happens to any car that enters the hell hole that is the collection of that spoiled sultan.
I have never seen that S Class wagon with the CL front. Mind blown
I have an 04 CLK55 AMG . I was told it was rare. But after seeing this I'm not so sure how rare. I love the sound of the V8 and the sport seats that hug you. On smooth roads I feel like a boss. On rough roads I feel like I bought the wrong car.
Sometimes rare means ,,not very popular eg wagons ,, , ,,,CLK55 AMG was a successful car, but is rare in some places. Yes , firm suspension.
James Napier i also own a 04' CLK the 320 version with 3.2l V6 218hp
Depends where you live a lot of the time, I have a W210 E55 estate car, the UK got less than 300 so I'm not sure how many right hand drive ones are left now, world production of saloons and estate was 12000 though most went to the USA and they didn't get the wagon.
I'm still way off the pace of this list but I suspect the W210 is just about the most unloved AMG so far. :D
Le SL73 AMG is a dream car of mine, same goes for the Hammer !
Back when AMG meant something, not just a checkbox to get a little spoiler on that base CLA.
I was lucky enough to own an R129 AMG SL60 (which we called "the rocket"), to which I had it tuned and racing cats / titanium exhaust fitted. Awesome car and one I miss indeed. Great video on AMG's - well done!
Just acquired my 3rd W210 AMG yesterday. modern classic
its also a rust bucket if u live in moist areas, not the best mercedes they made imo
@@Zirion123 Yea cause they used cheap china metal
@@Zirion123 you are right about the rust. Besides that, i luv the w210
@@iG0DLiK3x3 i think it had more to do with the paint. Interestingly i heard the 4matics did better with rust because they were made in separate factory.
@@SeamHead33 ye ive had 2 300tdt wagons, good to drive but thats about it tbh. The 211 is alot better and the 124 is just legendary 👍
I owned a W210 E36, which was certainly rare here in the UK (around 12 in the country). Awesome car!
I knew about a fair few of the cars in this video, but the S73 AMG T is new to me. Absolute love it!
AMG tuner cars among the public had been around since 72 I think, firstly with a warmed over M110 in the 280E but initially gained notoriety with their 500SEC 5.4 running around the Autobahn in the early 80s keeping pace with a Ferrari or Porsche, which were given free to all the Le Mans drivers as a marketing exercise by Mercedes to sell the new S class range and then taken to AMG for tuning, this was their all out modification, with no expense spared. With their custom tune DOHC heads and the oversquare, free revving 5.0 base engine these have about 340bhp and top speeds around 280km/h (170mph for those of you in the dark ages). The long stroke 560 a couple of years down the track was more a luxury cruiser engine intended purely for the heavy 126 models, whilst the 5.0 litre was originally a sports engine derivative of the 450 M117, intended for the SL but also wound up initially in the new S class. The later 560 certainly has some good horsepower with the quad-downpipe ECE tune but it was never put into the sports SL model in Europe because it simply wasn't considered free revving enough to be very sporty. Only American exports came in a 560SL and it was purely because the California regulations power loss of the smaller engines killed sales there for the SL and it was an attempt to regain them with a detuned 560 that wouldn't keep up with a Euro 500 on its best day.
Meanwhile the 86-7 560SEL/SEC started with an AMG DOHC version in 5.7 litres for about 360bhp, which would probably keep pace with an AMG SL 5.4, although as mentioned does have a lazier feel to it for the long stroke. As a consequence, many European buyers particularly of the SEC opted for the 500 even whilst sold alongside the 560. The 6.0 litre version of the DOHC 560 therefore first appeared in a widebody SEC marketing project a couple of years later around 1988, a response of simply throwing more horsepower at it which topped at around 380 with a very broad torque increase and that engine became fairly popular for the AMG C126 in a wide body configuration during later production, several immediately purchased in Japan where most in today's market tend to appear from.
In cliff notes an early AMG 126 and any SL which has the DOHC heads of an engine tune and not just the cosmetic/suspension AMG sport pack, will always be a 5.4, whilst a late 126 will be a 6.0 and mixed in there, in the middle somewhere would be a handful of 5.7 alongside more 5.4. Now, all these engines and the M117 generally get pretty confusing through this period so I hope I have it mostly correct, at least theme wise in the simplistic linear progression I've tabled. It is also noteworthy to mention that AMG has been shown to, on occasion understate horsepower figures for various reasons, which at this time may have been compliance plating on modified factory cars as independent tuners. Sources therefore vary on actual outputs throughout this period and the 90s, AMG themselves at various times quoting different horsepower for the same engines, but torque is really more relevant and measurable anyway, it's we armchair enthusiasts and braggarts who like simple Simon horsepower comparisons that don't really mean a whole lot other than variations in terminal speed on a set track with the same acceleration times, or as a largely inaccurate tuning tool calculated from torque production.
In 1986 AMG also produced a flagship engineering project as a marketing exercise and a Le Mans pace car, based upon the fairly recent, general market executive class and entry level compact model Mercedes: the 124 chassis and 201. They butchered a 300CE and shoved the 5.4 litre M117/9 engine in it, then took it down a nice long stretch of road and became the world's first, non-supercar to crack 300km/h. It was immediately featured in the next edition of Wheels Magazine, article entitled IIRC, "The Hammer to beat a Ferrari with," and the name stuck (cover title was IIRC again, "The Hammer is here"), photographed with its brutal looking widened track, wide body stance and road tested with comparable or better acceleration times than a Lamborghini. Well it was less expensive than a Lamborghini but not my a whole lot and more expensive than a kitted out S class. There were a small number sold, by the next year their 5.7 litre engine was in it and from about 89 the 6.0 litre or any option of them a buyer preferred but it was primarily and not inexpensively a marketing exercise to showcase AMG engineering expertise. But possibly to their dismay, seeing the Mercedes-Cosworth rally venture morphed into a DTM venture and Mercedes didn't sign AMG for it (they already backed off from Cosworth due to their "wild" engine proposal and made it themselves with detuned Cosworth features, have a look at a track spec Evo motor, ca. 280bhp at about 8500rpm to have an idea of what Cosworth intended for the 190E 2.3-16), then when Mercedes decided to redesign the 124 chassis to accommodate a V8 around 88-89 for later production, despite being inspired by the AMG "Hammer" and their M119 engine derived from the AMG DOHC M117/9 they went and signed Porsche to do it. The emphasis they wanted was recliner, not bar stool but the 500E is a mighty performer too.
Wheels Magazine also did a feature for the AMG Le Mans pace car project, the little brother of the Hammer based upon the lightweight but very well engineered 201 chassis, designed for the M102 four cylinder engine but which Mercedes had put a de-sleeved version of the new 3.0 litre M103 SOHC six cylinder engine into as a luxury option aside the base 2.0 litre and sport 2.3-16, the 190E 2.6. Again things differed slightly for American exports, again solely due to stricter emissions and the KE-Jetronic 2.0 litre M102 derived from an older 2.3 litre engine from the 123 chassis was too underpowered detuned for the US so Mercedes went back to the older M102 as a 2.3 litre, fitted the new KE-Jetronic from the 2.0 190E to it and used that capacity for the American base model to offset detuning, whilst the high strung 2.3-16 just put up with a horsepower loss for Americans and the M103 quite remarkably for the time didn't have issue with Cali regulations, it passed them with the power it had in any version, being the newest Mercedes engine family and chambered for unleaded fuel from the beginning (although catalytic converters came slightly later and sapped 2 horsepower, note for backyard tuners: cat deletion on a Mercedes or any Euro prestige or supercar is utterly pointless in addition to being a criminal offence on road cars in all developed nations). The AMG project based upon this car was far more tame than the Hammer in terms of engineering feats: the de-sleeved 2.6 was re-sleeved again for 3.2 litres and received a thorough makeover for 240 quoted horsepower, a 6 second 0-100km/h sprint time (0-60mph if you live in ancient Rome), 0-400m in 14 seconds flat (standing quarter in American), and with the overdrive 5spd and 3.27 gears topped out at 260km/h (160mph), with the 4spd auto and 3.07 it was 240km/h, but lost half a second on acceleration times.
This car, Wheels Magazine called "The Porsche with a baby seat." Somewhere they undoubtedly referred to it as the Hammer's baby brother, so those terms stuck as well and it became known as the Baby Hammer. This one was a lot more affordable than a Hammer, obviously, but perhaps surprisingly not altogether a whole big bunch of them were ever made/sold. At this time their tuner variations were often available by dealer referral, although Daimler Benz AG instructed AMG to remove Mercedes stars from their vehicles fitted with modified engines at threat of lawsuit, which is why the first thing you look for in a genuine AMG fitted with one of their tuner engines is the front star emblem is blanked with an AMG button and the trunk lid one is either removed or covered over with a spoiler. Obviously AMG also had to offer their own warranty on the modified vehicle, it's all that legal stuff company accountants like.
So that's my car. Well, the project started as an AMG 3.2 Baby Hammer replica but cars have got so much faster these days, have you seen the new A45 compared to the series 1, now that I can generally keep with but not the new. So the camshaft got a lot heavier than an AMG and the ECU for the KE-Jet is a lot newer, this fitment is currently going in. A couple of weeks ago it was vanilla late model WRX neck and neck, when I get it back in a week or two it'll be late model STI in an 80s AMG replica, that's fast enough for a daily driver. The Hammer was far too expensive to try to replicate and I really only like those two cars. Have seen a couple of guys do it though, some using the M119 but there was one who actually found a pair of quad cam AMG M117/9 heads and was building his M117 block with all the right internals to put them on. Seen an M119 in a W201 as well, and some nutter put a V12 in one, the 6.0 litre from the R129 I think. You Tubed a run down the street, that thing was insane. He pulled it apart again though, I don't think it was registerable or something.
Oh yeah there's a bunch of AMG pre-merger W/C124 as well, and a low budget 201. The AMG 2.6 is basically just a sport pack on the 190E with a 200hp engine makeover. The AMG 3.0 is the same thing with a 300E/CE (actually saw a CE one back in the 80s), that had 215hp. Then the AMG 3.4 is based on the M104 DOHC 300E-24 and I can't remember exactly how much power that one is, it was at an Oz Benz club meet I went to a couple of years ago, something around 260hp and basically looks mostly just like a post-merger E36. Then of course AMG tuner packs were available since day one on the 190E 2.0 and the 2.3-16, IIRC the AMG performance pack 16v was 215hp, which is what they raced on the track initially, the performance pack was its track modification which was done by AMG at the time.
I can’t take my eyes off her…
M113k AMG’s. They look timeless complex and a beast within. I love it 😍
Nice video. I never knew there was a CL and a S Class 63 in the early 2000’s
Another amazing video! Thank you for taking your time in producing these videos for us to learn from! I look forward to every upload
I salute you for choice of Callista as second tune - really brings NFS High Stakes memories and fits perfectly.
and the ONLY Diesel AMG ever prouced? The awesome C30 CDI AMG. Underrated, but powerful 231 Hp and 98.28 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm.
Isnt it c32 cdi? My friend have one.
I have the C30 Amg lovely car, REAL DIESEL.AMG
@@ayoubtherealone8488 wow dude I'm glad you love it. Im looking for one, face-lift, now that it's SO cheap, like 7000€ /$.
@@nunosantos79 thanks, I always thought it was 32, my bad. But I know it was diesel so...
I own one. 2003 black sedan. 156,000km.
Still love the Hammers till this day!
You missed the C203 C30 CDI AMG, inline 5 turbo diesel AMG
Just looked this one up. Wow what a strange car!
Is it not a 6-cyl, though, i might e wrong. I wonder how many a210 amgs were made? Excellent video!
It is a five cylinder engine based on the OM 612.
@@BastianKH i stand corrected. Should have used wikipedia, but there is a rare one in my hood and it sounded fruty. Regards.
He didnt miss it. It is not a rare car.
My father have a cl63 v12 like this in video. He has some nice rare amgs. An e60 amg w210, a c36 and c32 amg coupe
Damm such a great informative video! I saw some AMG’s that I didn’t even know about! Keep em coming!🐟
Can't get over what a nice video you have produced
Didn’t even know most of these existed ! Great detailed video !
Nice video. I remember living in Darien in 1987. The next suburb over was Westmont. I would go to the AMG dealership all the time just to drool over the cars. Sales associate was going to test drive a car one day while I was there. He said he had to test it right before delivery. After seeing me around quite a bit, he asked me if I wanted to go with him. I was 20. That memory has stayed with me my whole life. It was a beast of a car. It was the hammer.
What colour? Options? Love hearing old Westmont stories!! Any recollection of which salesman? :)
@@BlueRidgeMB Did you work there? I loved that place. You could drive right by it and not notice it. Very unassuming. I used to have a bunch of pics of the cars on the lot and in the showroom.
The one he took me for a ride in was black. I never got his name, but he actually looks like the pictures of Helmut. I wouldn't have known who that was at the time. It wasn't him, I'm sure. This gentleman was probably in his late 40's early 50's. I remember him getting on the highway and we were doing almost 100mph before merging from the onramp. I was in heaven.
He did tell me about the wagon they had. It was blue. It was insane. I got to see it before it hit the magazines. All he said was that it was going to a gentleman in Canada and that he was a billionaire.
I asked if they would ever join up with Mercedes, and he said that the two owners had very differing opinions on that. One didn't want to at all, and the other was open to it. I guess that is why Renntech was born?
Do you have any stories to share about the old Westmont place???
Great video! I need to win the lottery now and buy all 20 of these LOL
Even as a millionaire they would probably be really really really hard to find
Between 7/99 to 6/2000 there were 190 of s55 and s55l amg handbuild -based on the s500l chassis.... Modell Nr. 220.175 (A 1; 2) The modell was not listened at the normal dealer price docs, and were only built by inquiry. The chassis were brought to AMG and finalised on there production line by hand. After summer 2000 up to 2004 the s55 and the s55l can be ordered by standard Mercedes order list and got the 220.073 and 220.173 chassis numbers. These modells then were built at mercedes assembly line and not at AMG production line.
This only for additional information that the first year all s55/l are handmade modified s500 cars through AMG. All the same they have done all the years before -w140, etc.-
Not the rarest but definitely satisfied with my 02 CLK55 project car.
Would love to get into more of them
We all love you for this video!!! THANK YOU 🙏🏽
You forgot one important model. The worlds first serieproduced car with ceramic discs, the CL 55 AMG F1 Limited Edition. 55 units made, number 9 is resting in my garage.
Badass man, I'm sure there are a few of these limited, special editions out there that he missed.
The first was the Venturi 400GT long before the CL55
The Outsider if you google, that’s what mercedes claims:
mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/en/instance/ko/Ceramic-brakes-in-series-production-special-CL55AMG-model.xhtml?oid=4913083
I have seen in Monaco two f1 limited editions. Very nice car. Other car spotters looked me like a idiot taking pictures of the old cl55
@@eh.1 Maybe Venturi only had carbon discs and not carbon ceramic
I long for this era of incredible automotive development.. long live the ice engine
You missed the C30 CDI AMG, which is the only Diesel AMG ever built.
Der ist doch aber nicht selten genug.
How many of those were made? He compiled the rarest AMGs, so maybe it doesn't qualify for this specific video. But it sure is worth a look, especially since Mercedes was the first carmaker to put a diesel in a production car.
@@aakar1s Not sure about the total number but it was only built over a year or so because there wasn't much demand for a Diesel AMG.
@@Atombender Still, a rare AMG.
@@aakar1s Not rare enough to be included here :)
Great video. In 80s when I was a kid, my dad worked for a big company who the main ceo had a Hammer on demo from Stratton in Manchester. Reg AMG 1, or 1 AMG I can't remember fully. Think it was the w124 saloon, in black or dark blue. Very special car not really known then. A few years later, he had the 560SEC wide body. Thats my 80s car experiences as a kid
God those sec series mercedes were so stylish
124's still unmatched by the quality
And it is unlikely anything will ever beat it for that either.
@@CaseTheCorvetteMan why they dont remake it for fun?
@@kaywonderer too expensive for them i guess.
My grandparents had a “Hammer” sedan. It was dark blue... if only we had a garage with all the cars my family once owned... they just didn’t know back then... it was just in the moment for them... heart and gut wrenching...
If they had the midnight blue hammer I know where that car is now.
Blue Ridge Mercedes You’re kidding... Please Email me - lelandrkelce@gmail.com. I’ll dig up the pictures of it at their house. We are going over there for Christmas Day. Thank you for reaching out.
Blue Ridge Mercedes Hey! If you could please contact me about the midnight blue hammer, I would REALLY appreciate it! Us grandkids are in a position now to where we would love to attempt to get that car back! We are a major car family and we would love to see that back in one of our garages (mine!). Please please please reach out and let me know where it is!! If you would like me to contact you, please let me know how!
S 73 AMG T. Wow.
Around 7:00 is that song from Need for Speed high stakes ?
It is!
Love the video sooooooo much and btw i love the m113k coz its really strong engine
At 6:48, which is the black vehicle right beside the AMG Hammer?
Yeah You missed the w124 3.4CE total production of 25 units.
i have this engine in my 190e...
Yeah i have. Had to use an 2.6 car for the swap
Very nice list. I really enjoyed the video and learned of models I didn’t even know existed .
Now a more important question. How much are these cars worth?
1st one you can find for under 50k seen one go for 20k
Rarity does not always equate to value so don't get to excited for most on this list.
If you're going to differentiate the CLK DTM in coupe vs convertible, you should apply it to the rest. For example only 8 w202 C55 wagons were made.
Without looking I'm gonna say it's the R-class AMG-Version. Probably one of the best investments you can currently do :D
Chris konte also the most ugly investment
@@Mark-vn7et For a Van they are ok. But the crappy inside sucks. Typical Chrysler style.
Thank YOU for this countdown, I love youngtimers, so seeing a bunch of them from AMG is a treat.
whats about the W201 (190E) 3.2 AMG? think about 35 of these were produced. Beside that a great Video !
yes dude latest reply but for real my grandpa has one in japan
Gotta love those 80s and 90s skunk works models, forget modern AMGs, these are proper rarity
6:05 when the Need for Speed-vibe kicks in. Nice music!
Thats Mass Effect 2
2013 C63 Japan Limited. 15 coupes, 20 sedans. All performance goodies available at that time incuding M156 engine with performance pack (SLS forged pistons, rods and crankshaft - 487hp). Each car colored white with red mirrors and red rear spoiler, but also.... each car WITHOUT SUNROOF. There was no "sunroof delete" option at that time in W204, you could only take standard sunroof or panoramic. The sedan being lighter of both was 45kg lighter than common c63 with lower COG.
You missed the clk gtr supersport I believe there is only one made
3 CLK-GTR SuperSports were made (2 in silver and 1 in red with black wing). The rarest road-going/legal AMG Mercedes is the CLK-LM Straßenversion (1 of 1, FIA/LM GT1 homologation special from 1998).
Excellent research and very cool examples of some extremely rare AMG's, but I really like that silver E55 at the end! Lol
I love that S73 AMG T
S73 AMG T must be one of my faves.
Love the R129 front and the crazy V12. Im in love.
Great clip and info !
Can you please do a video about the sl55 amg and comparing the engine with your e55 amg !
Thanks!
I knew that the V12 M137 E63 and M297 models were among the rarest, but I was extremely surprised to hear about W124 E42, rarer than 6.0 hammer and even E34/36 coupe and convertible.
You missed the W210 E55T 4-matic. I guess less than 50 are out there😳
aguswiss and what about the E55 4 matic w210 4 door I think less when 15 or so
14 is the number i have heard on the T, i have owned one of these (Sweden)
Back in 2000, I owned a real 47K mile 1986 AMG 6.0L car. My car was based on the 560SEL that was remade into a true AMG factory original AMG with 6.0 liter (32v) car. She had AMG heads marked #48 and #50. When I owned it she could easily push close to 400hp at 6 grand rpm even after all these years! This car was never registered in the USA until I had it sent to me from Canada in 2000 and passed U.S. Customs without any problems! In 1986 over $60,000USD was spent at the AMG North American factory. I'm the 2nd owner... (and for you AMG history buffs) the original registered owner was Mr. Paul Fingold who was a partner with AMG and financial supporter of the AMG of North America site during the factory's hay days. My AMG 6.0L was well maintained since new and was NEVER driven in winter conditions, etc.
Description: Color: beautiful dark Metallic AMG black on gray cloth, Full AMG interior gages, AMG Sheepskin seat-covers, rear AMG spoiler, Five star 16x7 & 16x9 AMG rims, AMG body skirts, AMG suspension, AMG 6.0 engine, AMG 4-speed automatic transmission and AMG posi track rear end, sunroof, and a 1980s circa high-end sound system with amps and dash mounted cell phone and antenna.
Do you guys remember the TV show Miami Vice... where on occasions they would show a all white 560SEL AMG... well mine was exactly like that one but mine was all black and lowered.
!! GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN !!
Nice list! The E36 Convertible at 5:39 was recently sold at an RM-Sothebys auction for around $31k. Pretty good price, although the colour combination is a bit odd.
Awesome video. Thanks for creating this segment. Please tell me more!
What about the w210 e60 and e55 4matic? No w210 love!
I'll be the guy with the only w210 at the mbca fall show and shine!
represent the w210 mah man!!!
athalc I love my w210 E55T 4-matic😎
@@aguswiss i've got one to.
S210 E55T AMG 2001.
Perfect wintercar here in the north of Sweden.
Damn Good! 1 SL 73 and 1 G63 6X6. Not greedy, just two cars. OK, throw in a CLK GTR for runs to Costco for beer! Very good research and your video is reference quality. Keep it up! Terry
Great video..but of all those cars I love your E55 the best..
Wow I am a big Mercedes AMG fan and I didn't know about some of these cars on this list weird displacements thought AWESOME VIDEO👍👍👍👍👍
You missed the Mercedes 600 SEL AMG 7.2 V12 (W140). Very rare car!!
Beautiful assortment of AMGs. So many to choose from. So few realistic ones!
U forgot the Mercedes 190E Evolution II exclusive to the european market! That is my all time favorite Mercedes Benz. That and the c63 amg❤
there were pruduced 500 of it. and it was not produced by amg....
The SLS AMG Electric Drive from 2013 is missing from the list. It had 552 kW from 4 electric motors and active torque vectoring on all wheels.
You might find rare amgs in Albania because there are so many older mercs there and albanian people love Mercedes even classics 🇦🇱
Carfanboy2003 more like a shity one
Carfanboy2003 you will find all the stolen ones in Albania 🇦🇱
Good for
Nothing!
@@warlordforlife fucking mafia
That Kalista soundtrack from NFS brought me so much nostalgia. Great video!
Amg is watered down now, its a shame mercedes cheapened it.
whitewarmaker its true but the most impact did the strict emission, ... laws
Couldn't agree more! They're really milking the shit out of the AMG brand!!!
@@mikealanzo not really, still waiting on a A63-AMG
@@phaztheaussiebastard Hehehehe... yeah... I'm sure they're working on it as we speak....
AMG have always been my favourite and such even rarer to see a channel completely dedicated to AMG . THANKS A LOT😍 LOVE FROM INDIA ❤️🇮🇳
6:40 i love the nfs high stakes soundtrack
Hello wondering how rare is a Mercedes Amg clk 63 Convertable 2009 last of the model. Any info would help thx awsome tech👍🏻
Ralph Smallblock
2007 143
2008 100
2009 ?
Plus are numbers just us market ?
nyyanks22 I live in Canada and there is a 2009 clk 63 Convertable black on black curious if it has value under 100000 km thank you for the info much appreciated 👍🏻
Ralph Smallblock they probably are worth something but the pre-merger amgs are the ones that go for big bucks , I will ask my freind for you about that cat , he works for Benz , I’ll ask him to check k for you 👍
nyyanks22 Thanks I really appreciate that it’s rare in production and has the detuned 507 hp motor 475 hp👍🏻
Ralph Smallblock sounds like a good car regardless of its pre-merger amg or not , anytime bro, I’ll look in too it cause it’s always good to know 👍
I have an Mercedes S124 E36 T AMG and an Mercedes 560SEC V2.
Mercedes Meister Jonny zockt 😉
Which car that is at 0:38 ?
You use NFS4 HS music!!!! Respect!!!
Another great production. Many models i ddn't know about - my favorite on the list is the 6x6 :)
Mitsubishi galant AMG is also rare 🇯🇵👍 but i know its not a Mercedes
The AMG mitsubishi debonair had less numbers than that I think.
What's the intro music?
You forgot about SLR 722 Roadster S only 150 units and fantastic Stirling Moss with only 75 units made👌.Of course,every one will say,that is not Mercedes AMG,only English McLaren?I would like to say that those hipers cars are more Mercedes-Benz AMG than typical McLaren🤷🏻♂️
Well the engine was made in Affalterbach so I think it should count
Thank you for taking the trouble making this video. Thank you. Greetings from US Army.
I wanted an r63 lol
Settled for the cls 55 which was only produced for 1 year with the supercharger
Great list of AMG's. Always love the content on your channel. Thank you.
W124 e60 amg limited, 8 units....
I really enjoyed that video !!
7:27 That Engine Cover Looks Like A Flashdisk/USB Drive
You have fantastic content, thank you!
they couldnt make it 124 units produced instead of 126 smh
Nice Video! We also have an amg R63
W210 E55 4Matic 150
S210 E55T 4Matic 15 =)
I had 2 of the S210 AMG 4matic. Fantastic winter car.
Super nice video!thanks!
I know someone that owns a W208 clk55 amg that was built for Ralph Schumacher by Mercedes/amg but couldn't have the car when finished apparently due to changing from Mercedes F1 team, the four wings were widened to fit the split rimmed amg alloy wheels that were made for the car and all work was done at the amg factory aswel as some slight engine work . I have personally seen the paperwork that originally came with the car stating the modifications that amg had done etc but can't find anything on the net regarding this car but to date the car is still in perfect condition with only 41k on it and even though it's nearly 20yrs old it still doesn't look dated and is no slouch when the pedal is pushed.
Nice job creating this overview! 👍
3:32 hol' up... isnt that lewis hamilton driving ?????
5:30 correct me if im wrong but isnt the m103 the l6 and the m104 the v8?
M103 and 4 are both i6. SOHC VS DOHC etc... 🙂