When discussing rare cars of the recent past, something I often find myself doing with friends, one has to mention the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate. Quicker, more dynamic, and slightly sharper looking than the E55 that it replaced, the 2007 E63 is on many an automotive enthusiast’s bucket list, including my own. To have such great power on tap, in a relatively non-imposing package that is also very practical for day to day life, well it’s a drivers dream come true. The only problem is that Mercedes only saw fit to bestow 67 of them upon us in 2007, a fact that this seller, and many others surely relish. Since there is no direct competition for the car in the United States, and it was sold here in very limited quantities, Mercedes essentially guaranteed buyers of the E63 that their car would retain a decent amount of value. It’s not BMW 1M or Boxster Spyder levels of value retention, but for a big Merc wagon I’d say that the drop off hasn’t been nearly as bad as other W211 models. Only time will tell if it can hold on its current collector status once the glorious day arrives when we can import the C6 RS6 Avant, and E61 M5 Touring. Until 2032, we’re stuck with just the E63, and I don’t think anyone has any complaints about that. It’s a car that is laughably quick, and in spite of itself, a complete sleeper. Until you stomp on the gas and leave everyone around you wondering what just happened, the E63 AMG Estate is just another wagon roaming the streets looking for a Pinkberry.
Category: AMG
There are two Mercedes-Benzes in the current lineup that really light my fire. That would be the evergreen G-Class and one of the newest arrivals, the AMG GT. This is a car that has taken the fight directly into the Porsche 911’s backyard, albeit in a different form. As has been noted by the folks over at flüssig magazine, this car bears a bit of a resemblance to the timeless Porsche 928, especially when you consider the sloping rear end and the way the bumper tapers inward towards the bottom edge. “It’s the 928’s successor,” states Andy McCulley, flüssig magazine contributor and 928 owner. I always wondered what would have come had Porsche followed up on its great GT car. Well, Mercedes-Benz grabbed the ring and ran with it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S on eBay
9 CommentsMercedes-Benz was the company that basically invented the idea of a super sedan with the 300SEL 6.3 back in the mid 1960s. Interesting, then, that the 300SEL 6.3 was fielded in motor racing by a group of ex-Mercedes engineers who founded the now famous tuning arm, AMG. Fast-forward to the 1980s and AMG was in the business of engine performance, wheels and body kits. The 500SEL was a W126 that was never offered officially in the US market, but a fair amount made their way to these shores through grey market importing. This 1983 example has a good bit of the AMG treatment, from engine modifications to the famous Penta wheels. For a person like myself who grew up in the 1980s, this car brings back a lot of memories of those posters I’d have on my bedroom wall of all the wild cars from that decade.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL AMG on eBay
3 CommentsIs there a better known name across multiple marques than Cosworth? From the DFV formula one engine to Can-Am, Touring Cars to Rally, I can’t think of a more versatile or storied engine supplier. Just the other day, Paul took a look at an expensive and questions asked 1986 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth, and that got me thinking about some listings I’ve run across. Today, then, I have an interesting question and two very different cars that share one word – Cosworth. Both are legends in their own right and both are rare to see in the U.S.; and each for each model I have a valuable original and a replica. Which would you choose?