1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL Sedan

The name AMG is derived from the initials of its two founders, Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher: plus Aufrecht's place of birth Grossaspach. Located in an old mill in Burgstall near Affalterbach in southwestern Germany, the newly founded company officially described itself as 'Engineering Office - Design and Testing for the Development of Race Engines'. The success story of the Swabina company began with specially prepared Mercedes-Benz competitive race cars. In 1971, the company's international breakthrough came when, to everyone's surprise, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG finished First in Class and second overall at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamp (Belgium) race, in which drivers Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentans took turns at the wheel of the racing sedan, launching AMG into overnight fame.