ChemMan

....the 996TT has a new garage mate.

XwalkerX

the hammer?

GermanCarSpecialists

wow.... Love those.

ChemMan

Not an AMG hammer. I wish I have never seen one of those in person. It is fully documented w126 500 SE AMG. Found it in Texas last week. I have a fondness for that era Mercedes. Besides it screams Miami Vice! Here are some better pictures taken by the PO. It needs a bit of work but nothing crazy.

rmc1148

Love it.

NoGaBiker

So, I'm not a Benz guy, just have some general knowledge. I didn't realize there was an AMG version of W126. Is this a full, worked-over AMG motor, or an AMG bodykit, wheels, etc. on a grey-market 500SE? I'm not calling you out or anything -- just want an education on these, since I didn't realize there was such a thing.

Gorgeous car, by the way. Always had a soft spot for the 126, dating back to the days when all you could get in it was the diesel in the U.S. (300SD).

leftlane

The Hammer was actually built by Porsche for Mercedes - it was the ultimate sport sedan that looked like a sweet, normal Benz but was a killer underneath.

leftlane

Oops - I was confusing the Hammer with the 500E - that's the one built by Porsche. My mistake.

Sweet ride, by the way.

ChemMan

AMG was a separate company during this era. In 1990 or so, they became part of Mercedes. Premeger AMG's are around. Not too many but they are out there still. Engine modification was one of the options. This one does not have that. It is the body kit, suspension, and recaro seats.
If one does show up with the engine modification. I would be a buyer-if the price is right and if I could get to it before someone else. They tend to get snapped up fast. I think someday I will come across one but I am in no hurry.
A lot of it is nostalgia with this chassis. My Dad had a couple when I was growing up in South Africa. No one had the AMG version back then (around me, at least) -only in the magazines and posters. So I am pretty happy to have this one. Sort of a boyhood fantasy. Having all the original documentation from AMG sold me on it. The import papers, maintenance records both here and in Germany did not hurt either.
The AMG Hammer, I believe, is the w124 chassis. Porsche built the 500E jointly with Mercedes.
Here is an article I posted on benzworld 5 or 6 years ago about generation 1 w126 AMG's. Hopefully, it will be large enough to read. I have the original tucked away somewhere in the house....somewhere.

NoGaBiker

Gotcha. Okay, thanks for the clarification. Yeah, I remember when AMG was a separate entity. Did they make VIN numbered cars under their own name, like RUF, or were they only tuners? I think it was the latter.

I snickered when I looked at the specs on that SEL above: 0-60 in 7.4, top speed 139. Big-*** sedans have come a long way in the motor department!

ChemMan

It has a Mercedes VIN. I was able to look up the datacard on EPC online. Pretty interesting. It was listed as "American/Japanese Tourist". I am guessing that MB had a that listing for US or Japanese customers who took European delivery or in this case someone who intended on returning to the States with the vehicle after a bit.
With the European VIN, I had some issues getting the car registered in Michigan. Our Secretary of State kept getting a VIN error when I applied for a title. Luckily, since I had the import papers and emissions testing from 1988 or 1989. That cleared one hurdle but I still had to have a police officer inspect the car and verify the VIN. The State Trooper was a pretty nice guy. We talked cars for a bit and Sugar Ray Leonard who may have had a similar AMG back in the 80's.
Anyway, I am still pretty excited about this. I ended up putting the 996TT into storage this weekend and fixing the non working heat in my wife's car. I am hoping next weekend to get this Mercedes up on the lift.

NoGaBiker

Get us some glamour shots when you get a chance. Especially the interior and the motor. Enjoy!

ECS Tuning

+1 That's a beaut

pnamueller

LOVE the car and that classic Merc body style!! Great choice! Although the numbers are not the greatest compared to today's cars, that AMG was probably the fastest 4door of the time. Except maybe the 1st gen M5. More pics please!!

ChemMan

A couple more pictures. Some are from the PO. The steering wheel is a big too large for my liking. I am on the look out for an AMG steering wheel at a reasonable price. The "dash mat" is hiding a hack job. Someone installed speakers on top of the dash and punched hole though to get to the original speaker wiring. Fortunately, the speaker covers are a separate piece and easy to find.
The recaros have the speakers in the headrest which I like. It has an aftermarket stereo but the original blaupunkt was included along with the original manual in German.
I dropped the car of at my mechanic yesterday with a list of thing to be sorted. As I mentioned in a previous post, nothing major but not anything I want to deal with in the winter.