1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 AMG 6.0 Wide Body

The AMG Company was an independent tuner company established in 1967 by Daimler-Benz engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher (the G is from Grossaspach, Aufrecht's birthplace). Its purpose was to modify engines and sell performance accessories that customers could use to upgrade their Mercedes-Benz automobiles. By the late 1980s, customers were special-ordering fully modified automobiles developed by AMG in its plant in Affalterbach, Germany. The cars were also being delivered with full company warranties through Mercedes-Benz dealers. However, it was not until 1993 that the first join production, the AMG C36, would be introduced.

The 560 SEC AMG was introduced in 1990 and came with a 6.0-liter engine designed and built at Affalterbach using AMG custom quad-cam head with four valves per cylinder. It offered twice the torque at half the engine speed of the original 5.6-liter Mercedes-Benz engine. Exterior modifications included the distinctive AMG-designed front and rear fenders and door panels that could accommodate wider wheels and tires. Suspension pieces, additional lightweight body panels, and other improvements were made, and the total cost including the original automobile and modifications was $200,000. Despite the high cost, these were highly sought after and a wait list soon formed. Initial plans called for 100 units, but it is believed that fewer than 50 examples were actually built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019