Equipment
5953/370hp, Getrag 5-speed manual, AMG exhaust system, suspension kit, body kit, “Aero I” wheels, a long-range fuel tank, buffalo leather, Recaro seats, wood trim, Becker stereo, tools, spare, first aid kit.
Condition
Converted at AMG HQ in Affalterbach. Believed to be the only 6.0-liter example with a 5-speed manual. Known history from new. Recommissioned under current U.S. ownership. The paint and body are excellent and without serious flaw. The engine and underbody are pristine and the interior shows little deterioration. A gorgeous, genuine AMG Hammer.
Market commentary
This AMG, along with hundreds of other cars, boats and motorcycles was seized by the Italian government and sold in the famous "Duemila Ruote" auction in 2016. Dusty and neglected, it brought a mere €84,000 (about $91,500 at the time). A couple of things have happened since then. First, the consignor put a lot of time, effort and money into making this car essentially perfect. Second, the interest in pre-merger AMGs (cars built before Mercedes-Benz took controlling interest in AMG in 1999) has absolutely exploded. This year in Amelia, for example, there were 13 pre-merger AMGs on offer. This one's excellent condition, its top-sped "Hammer" engine and its ultra-rare manual gearbox put it at the very top of the AMG market and its price should be viewed through that lens. That another manual-shift Hammer-powered 1989 300 CE Coupe sold one lot before for $665,000 reinforces that price range. Gooding's seven-figure estimate for it may have been a bit ambitious, but the consignor was still rewarded handsomely for their efforts.
