https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mi24 ... mg/1439131
Chassis No.
WDB1260391A526861
Engine No.
117968 12 081619
Cylinder Head No.
469 6.0 25
To be offered on Friday, 1 March 2024
Offered from the Youngtimer Collection
An extreme executive limousine offering resplendent luxury and menacing performance
Commissioned and assembled by the company’s Japanese office
Powered by a 6.0-liter, quad-cam “M117” AMG V-8 engine rated at 385 horsepower
Accompanied by Mercedes-Benz Homologation certificate
For a privileged clientele blessed with unbounded checkbooks, AMG would entirely transform any late-model Mercedes-Benz product with greatly improved power, handling, aerodynamics, unlimited interior luxuries, and attention-grabbing cosmetic accoutrements. Each car specified by an AMG customer was bespoke, replete with à la carte options offered from the company’s wide-ranging catalogue.
In mid-1985, AMG began offering a dual-overhead-camshaft cylinder head conversion kit which immediately proved to be a revelation—not only for the performance figures of AMG’s customer cars, but also for the cachet and renown of the company’s novel engineering expertise. At a cost of $43,500, this outstanding performance package consisted of taking a stock 5.5-liter “M117” V-8 engine and boring it out to 6.0 liters, modifying the internals, and equipping it with a pair of proprietary 16-valve, sand-cast aluminum cylinder heads. Additional modifications like uprated brakes, aerodynamics, chassis upgrades, and limitless cosmetic accoutrements could easily knock the final price of a fully kitted AMG S-Class to a figure in excess of $190,000.
Offered today from inarguably the world’s finest collection of highly desirable Youngtimer vehicles, this 1990 560 SEL AMG 6.0 is a Japanese-market car commissioned and assembled by AMG-Japan (Yanase) when new. Currently displaying fewer than 41,000 kilometers (~25,400 miles) at cataloguing time, it is presented in the model’s most evocative color scheme of Blue-Black Metallic over sumptuous Anthracite leather and retains all the most desirable AMG performance upgrades and extravagant luxuries of the period.
Per typical company policies of the period, this car’s AMG engine has been restamped to match the unit listed on its Mercedes-Benz factory data card. However, all the evident accessory components, stampings, and AMG labels confirm its 6.0-liter displacement and proper modified M117 configuration. Close inspection of this SEL’s suspension and underbody assemblies reveal a suitable complement of period-correct Japanese-market AMG modifications, including the Gen II ground effect kit with distinctive chin spoiler. The handsome set of staggered Aero III by OZ wheels with color-matched faces give this impressive pre-merger offering just the right stance and menacing aura.
The well-appointed Anthracite leather interior of this particular pre-merger prize features an extensive AMG burlwood trim kit, rear tray tables, pleated leather door cards, and contrasting, white-faced AMG gauges which are fronted by a four-spoke, leather-wrapped AMG steering wheel.
Pre-merger AMG-modified examples of this vintage (and displacement) are unquestionably some of the most iconic and recognizable German cars of their time, offering unparalleled luxury, performance, and German reliability wrapped in a visually stunning package. Surely among the most luxurious and extravagant super-saloons ever offered by AMG, the sale of this extreme limousine is accompanied by a Mercedes-Benz homologation certificate.