24 classic early AMGs

24 all-awesome pre-merger AMG Mercedes

If you’ve been following the classic car auction markets closely, you’ll have noticed an ever-increasing rush for ‘pre-merger AMGs’.

At Broad Arrow’s Amelia Concours d’Elegance auction in March 2023, the record was broken for a Mercedes-Benz E-Class in W124 form at $775,000. 

Madness? Clearly not, when 20 lots later Broad Arrow broke the record again, this time with a Hammer coupé that achieved $885,000.

A new generation of classic car fans find these ’80s/’90s handbuilt ultra-performance Mercs irresistible.

Vanishingly rare, with production seldom nudging above double figures for some models, these are highly sought-after.

However, understanding what they are can be as taxing as avoiding shredding the rear tyres on an AMG Merc itself – what does ‘pre-merger’ actually mean?

Turning up the wick

‘Pre-merger’ refers to cars largely built before 1999, when Mercedes-Benz (or DaimlerChrysler as it was known then) took a 51% stake in AMG.

AMG was founded as an independent tuner by former Mercedes-Benz engineers in 1967. It started producing race engines, but soon migrated to tuning parts for road cars.

The company’s high-quality approach saw these parts being sold as options in Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the late ’80s and, in 1993, the firms signed a contract of co-operation. Pretty soon, AMG-badged models were being offered straight from the dealerships, beginning with the C36.

However, the truly valuable ‘pre-merger’ cars are those built in limited numbers for VIP clients with monstrous engine upgrades.

Though the merger occurred in January 1999, the bespoke AMG models continued to be built until 2001. After this point, AMG models were more homogenised and built in far greater numbers.

We’ve pulled out 25 key pre-merger AMG models to keep an eye out for. Which is your favourite?

1. W110 (1967)

The standard car’s M180 six-cylinder engine produced 118bhp. However, using racing know-how, AMG’s engineers fitted a new crankshaft, altered combustion chambers, a new cylinder head, a larger and more free-flowing intake and exhaust, lighter cam followers, AMG camshafts and a dual-pipe exhaust system.

AMG also treated the suspension to Bilstein dampers, a modified front axle and upgraded the braking system.

The changes took the car to a heady top speed of 124mph, 17mph more than Mercedes’ standard model.

2. W111/W112 (1968-1971)

Mercedes’ W111 and W112 models may seem genteel and a world away from AMG’s ethos, but you really could hot rod your convertible.

Four tuning packages were available for the six-cylinder models, with 227bhp possible in the most extreme form.

That wasn’t the tastiest modification. For a fee, a large one indeed, AMG would fit the mighty SEL 6.3 engine into two-door vehicles, with either 286bhp or 316bhp available.

The W111’s own V8, the M116, could also be tuned to 264bhp, a stiff rise on the original car’s 197bhp.

3. W108 and W114 (1968 and 1969)

AMG broadened its range of operations early on, offering modest improvements to both the W108 and later the W114.

These upgrades could be maintained by a Mercedes-Benz dealership, because many of the parts were shared with cars further up the food chain. 

However, the most extreme W108 modification was the fitment of three-litre aluminium engine from the 300SE, a descendent of the 300SL Gullwing’s motor, providing 227bhp.

For W114/5 owners, you could drop in the 3.5-litre V8 from the S-Class in either 264bhp or 282bhp form.

4. W109 (1971)

The biggest mainstream Mercedes-Benz couldn’t be ignored by AMG’s engineers, and two modification options were offered.

The first took the 3.5-litre V8 and boosted the horsepower to 282bhp from a 207bhp base.

The 6.3-litre V8 was a much more involved process and meant disassembling the engine completely, with new Mahle pistons fitted and an increased compression ratio.

The result was 316bhp, which necessitated a rear diff recalibration to 2.85:1 – 0-62mph took just 6.7 secs, truly supercar pace for the early ’70s.

5. R107 (1971)

Mercedes’ new SL provided AMG with the basis for plenty of modifications over the years.

The tuner offered packages for the six-cylinder models as well as the V8s, with four-speed manual transmissions made available.

Six-cylinder engines peaked at 207bhp, while the M116 V8 that ran between 1971 and 1985 had between 237bhp and 250bhp.

The M117 V8, sold from 1974 to 1985, offered between 256bhp and 306bhp, the latter courtesy of a displacement upgrade to 5.4 litres.

However, the most extreme R107s were the one-off or low-volume models built for VIP clients. A 350SLC received a 6.3-litre V8, while there was also a 450SLC with the 6.9-litre M100 V8 engine from the 450SEL 6.9.

6. W116 (1972)

The parts commonality between the R107 and W116 saw much of the same modifications available on both platforms.

Like the R107, Mercedes’ 116-series was offered with an array of body upgrades, from alloy wheels to splitters, side skirts and spoilers. 

The meatiest of all the 116-series S-Classes has to be the 450SEL 6.9. This car was hardly a slouch as standard, with its 282bhp putting it among the fastest cars in the world.

That didn’t stop AMG from taking it further, boosting power to 341bhp. We couldn’t find any torque figures – rumours abound that the tweaked 6.9 broke the dyno…

7. W123 (1976)

The introduction of the W123 did much to democratise Mercedes-Benz. Of course, the 123-series was comfortably more expensive than its rivals, but its lower price point opened the doors to a new, younger audience.

AMG picked up on this by offering tuning packages for both the four- and six-cylinder models, offering 154bhp and 202bhp respectively.

That wasn’t enough for some. Mercedes never offered a V8 in the W123, so AMG was happy to oblige. The first appeared in 1978, AMG dropping in a 214bhp, 4.5-litre unit for a 7-sec 0-62mph time.

In 1983, AMG took it further, with the M117 V8 in 5-litre tune, which was good for 272bhp and 300lb ft of torque.

8. W126 (1979)

The replacement for the W116 S-Class was a technical marvel: safer, more efficient, slinkier.

AMG saw that as the basis for more angular bodykits and walloping amounts of horsepower. Three states of tune were available, from 272bhp to 306bhp via an engorged 5.4-litre displacement.

The most fascinating option was more to do with transmitting this vast horsepower to the road. AMG offered a five-speed Getrag manual transmission, which is reputed to have made the car extremely lively.

9. C126 (1984)

The coupé version of the S-Class is perhaps the best known of the AMG models – later examples had even more horsepower and yet wider bodywork. We’ll come to those in a moment, but the early C126s were relatively restrained.

Well, in respect of the bodywork, at least. A 5-litre, 32-valve version of the M117 V8 was built for an American client, which took power to 335bhp.

It was around this time that AMG started offering bespoke interior appointments on a wider scale, with TVs and high-end hi-fi equipment being very much part of the proceedings.

10. W126 6.0 (1985)

The W126 range – and the wider Mercedes-Benz family – was extensively upgraded in the middle of the 1980s.

The introduction of the 5.6-litre 560 models, largely for the emissions-throttled US market, gave AMG engineers something to play with. 

The result was the four valves per cylinder 6-litre V8 that would underpin the most extreme models in the AMG armoury, with 380bhp. In SEL form, it delivered a 167mph top speed and a 0-62mph sprint of 6.5 secs – not bad for a car weighing 1810kg.

To offset this slightly, AMG fitted forged-aluminium wheels measuring 8in wide, a rarity in this era.

11. W201 six cylinders (1986)

The unsung AMG hero? While the other models, with their mammoth V12s and V8s, hog the headlines, AMG’s approach to the 190E is overlooked.

Even in 190E circles, the focus usually centres on the sporty four-pot models. More of those later…

The AMG recipe for the 190E was to offer two states of tune. The first took the straight-six to 187bhp courtesy of a 2.6-litre displacement, while the 3.2-litre took that figure to 231bhp.

That’s only 9bhp more than the hottest four-cylinder 190E, but the difference in torque is more profound – 234lb ft of torque for the AMG version.

It certainly garnered fans. Does this numberplate look familiar? Well, the car pictured belonged to Ringo Starr. We’d love to know where it is now.

12. W124 six cylinders (1984)

AMG offered a plethora of upgrades for the W124 E-Class, for both the four- and the six-cylinder cars.

These modest tuning packages were blown out of the water by what was to come later, with the bespoke 3.2 and 3.4 models.

The 3.2s took the base engine’s horsepower from a lowly 178bhp to 242bhp, while the 3.4s pushed this to 268bhp from 1989 onwards.

The engine conversions, as well as the suspension and bodykits, were available in saloon, estate and coupé form. You could even get it in a convertible from 1991 onwards, though this ‘only’ coughed up 249bhp.

13. W124 V8s (1984)

However, the V8 W124s are perhaps the most famous and in demand of all classic early AMGs.

Nicknamed the Hammer by American aficionados, it blended the second-smallest chassis with an engine from the largest.

The V8 transplants started with a 5-litre M117 that put out 272bhp in two valves per cylinder form, and 335bhp in four valves per cylinder form. This output grew with the displacement – 5.5 litres, then 6 litres. 

The ultimate variant was the four valves per cylinder 300 6.0, which was available in coupé, saloon and estate form, though is most recognisable as a saloon or coupé.

The M119-powered version could hit 62mph in 5.6 secs thanks to its 380bhp. Mercedes-Benz was suitably impressed enough to build its own V8 W124, the 500E/E500, with Porsche’s help. More on that later…

14. C126 Widebody (1986)

The 6-litre 32v engine made its way through the Mercedes line-up, including the R107.

However, the C126 Widebody is probably the most extreme-looking bodykit to be seen on a production-based Mercedes-Benz – outrageous side skirts made this not one for shrinking violets. 

The mid-decade revamp of Mercedes’ V8 saw a range of outputs and engine sizes, from 5.5 to 6 litres. The headline output was 380bhp, but the torque was massive – 417lb ft at 4000rpm.

It’s believed that just 50 true Widebody SEC AMGs were built, but the bodykit was often copied.
 

15. W201 four cylinders (1988-1990)

AMG had become the works factory team for Mercedes-Benz’s assault on the German Touring Car championship (DTM).

Although the original four-cylinder Cosworth engine was developed in the UK, AMG offered PowerPack upgrades that grew the motor to 222bhp.

The Evolution model, designed to give the three-pointed star the edge on track, incorporated that engine know-how into a production model.

That wasn’t enough to defeat Ford or BMW, so Mercedes went truly wild with the most extreme car to wear the badge. Legend has it that the BMW boss at the time said if the aero package worked, he'd redesign the BMW wind tunnel. A large cheque later, BMW had a new wind tunnel…

AMG, meanwhile, had taken the road car’s power to 242bhp. It still wasn’t quite enough to beat BMW or Audi initially, although it did take the DTM title in 1992.

16. W140 (1991)

The controversial W140 S-Class arrived late and with an expensively developed V12, in a range that included V8s and straight-sixes.

Although AMG offered body styling, wheels and suspension kits to the wider range, its main focus was the V12 models.

It did produce an upgrade for the 500SE/SEL V8, taking it to 376bhp in 1993. However, it’s the V12s that have passed into legend. 

The 6-litre V12 received 434bhp, an increase of 32bhp. However, the 7-litre conversion upped the ante considerably, to 489bhp and 531lb ft of torque.

That was bested with the ultimate version, the S73 AMG, which packed 518bhp from its 7.3 litres, and could hit 62mph in 5 secs. Not bad for something well over two tons.

17. R129 6.0 (1991)

The M119 AMG V8 engine that had drawn the amazement of the world in the Hammer was soon available in the R129.

Initially offered as an engine upgrade, pretty soon entire cars were being converted, with angular, extreme bodykits.

Power was marginally less than in the W124 Hammer (376bhp), but it could still hit 62mph in 6.6 secs and top out at 177mph – significantly more than many of the other electronically limited AMGs could reach.

18. C140 (1992)

The CL or SEC was essentially a two-door 140-series S-Class, so AMG made short work of offering the upgrades from the saloon available to the even more controversial-looking and gargantuan coupé. 

Several unique creations for the Sultan of Brunei incorporated elements of the W140 and C140 together.

A very special estate version had a CL engine and the most powerful V12 in AMG’s armoury, a 518bhp 7.3-litre. Must have made the school run quite swift.

19. W124 500E 6.0/E60 (1992)

The 500E is essentially the R129’s engine transplanted into the shell of a W124, with the assistance of Porsche in getting it all shoehorned in via some widening of the front wings.

Then, the 6-litre V8 upgrade was soon made available to well-heeled customers. The conversion made 397bhp without catalytic converters, and 369bhp with, with 0-62mph taking around 5.6-5.9 secs and a top speed in excess of 180mph.

It was around this time that the first proper Mercedes-Benz/AMG collaboration occurred – the C36 – but AMG was still doing upgrades and handbuilt cars as well.

The E60 AMG used the same M119 V8 that powered the SL60 (more on that later), which provided 376bhp and a near-180mph top whack. It took 5.4 secs to hit 62mph.

20. W124 320 CE 3.6/E36 (1992)

AMG first started offering an upgraded 3.6-litre engine upgrade to bridge the sizeable gap to the expensive V8 models.

The tuner also tweaked the 3.2-litre engine to produce 231bhp, but the 3.6-litre took it to a whopping 288bhp – not far off 911 turbo performance only a few years prior – and you could order your 124-series 3.6 in estate, saloon, coupé or convertible form. This fell to 261bhp with the advent of catalytic converters.

Later down the line, further upgrades to the 3.6-litre conversion reclaimed a bit more power under the new name of E36. Now you had 268bhp and 284lb ft of torque to play with.

21. R129 SL60 (1993) 

The SL60 was AMG’s response to the SL600 – it was certainly powerful (376bhp) and quick (5.4 secs to 62mph), and used items from the SL600 to refine the package further, such as traction control.

It was also less aggressive to look at than AMG’s earlier take on the R129, with a smoother bodykit.

It’s said that the car is much quicker than published, because Mercedes-Benz didn’t want it showing up the much more expensive V12-engined SL600.

22. R129 12 cylinders (1997)

The pinnacle of roadgoing pre-merger AMGs, discounting the CLK-GTR? After all, they are the most decadent, being cruising roadsters with enormously powerful V12s.

The first AMG approach to the V12 S-Class enlarged the motor to 7 litres (SL70), delivering 489bhp and 553lb ft of torque. 

There were several variations of V12-engine fettling, all offering more power – the SL71, the SL72 – but the top of the tree was the SL73, built between 1999 and 2001.

The engine was enlarged to 7.3 litres to produce 518bhp and 553lb ft of torque, while the 0-62mph speed dropped to 4.8 secs. It was also electrically limited to 180mph.

The engine went on to power the Pagani Zonda, which is not a bad claim to fame.

23. CLK-GTR (1998)

The CLK-GTR was developed to do one thing: destroy the opposition in the FIA GT Championship.

It used a carbonfibre body draped over M297 V12s in either 6.9-litre or 7.3-litre form, which developed 604bhp or 655bhp respectively. It had a manual sequential six-speed transmission.

The car was developed in 128 days, using a McLaren F1 racing car as a development mule. 

The rules of the racing category demanded a series of road cars be built, and just 25 were made, 20 coupés and five convertibles. 

Though called the CLK, the only things it has in common with ‘normal’ CLKs are the front and rear lights, and grille.

24. C215 CL63 (2001) 

No, this isn’t a mistake. This really is a CL63 AMG, not a CL65. It also has a naturally aspirated V12, not a V8.

We also know it’s far beyond the AMG and Mercedes-Benz merger of 1999. However, it deserves its place in this article because it’s the last of a certain breed.

Offered for one month only, to VIP customers only, it has a very old-school AMG feeling compared to the twin-turbo V12 monster that replaced it, the CL65.

Just 26 of these were built, making them among the rarest of all AMGs, yet from our list it is probably the most affordable. The 6.3-litre V12 develops 432bhp and 457lb ft of torque, and hits 62mph in 5.5 secs.