Tuner Tuesday: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC AMG 6.0 Widebody

There were a few things missing from the earlier Alpina E21 post; notably, some of the details of the car were missing like the all important unique engine, suspension, and documentation that would help support the story of its existence. The same cannot be said for this car. Let’s go down the list of what makes this car really and truly special. First, it’s one of the last of the classic 560SECs made. Already these cars are appreciating in value, but this car also has quite low miles at only 37,500 covered since new. That low total is matched by near perfect condition inside and out. But the real value lies in the modifications; super tuner AMG, on its way into the Mercedes-Benz fold, went out with a roar with the M117/9 6.0 32 valve V8 pushing nearly 400 horsepower. While that may seem trite today, the numbers produced by the AMGs in the 1980s were enough to get your into the halls of true supercar royalty. Additionally, this car features with wild widebody kit, massive 3-piece BBS/AMG wheels and some wicked interior alterations. On top of that, there’s documentation to support it – does it get more collectable in the AMG world?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC AMG 6.0 Widebody on eBay

Year: 1990
Model: 560SEC AMG 6.0 32V Widebody
Engine: 6.0 liter V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 37,500 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction

1990 AMG 6.0 DOHC BreiteVersion M117/9

This AMG is a very special car in so many ways, the fact that this AMG is an authentic AMG Germany with proof of origin that the M117 / 9 motor was first developed in Germany not Japan. It is an AMG 6.0 DOHC wide body which is one of the most desirable and rarest cars in today’s car collection market. The car was built during the final year of the AMG ERA during the merge with Mercedes Benz. This car is also equipped with the rarest engine AMG has ever built which is the M117-9 6.0 32v. There was a very limited number of these authentic AMG engines built in Germany and I would I estimate roughly around 5 or 6.
When these motors first appeared years ago they appeared in Japan which led to believe that these magnificent motors are being developed in AMG Japan and where placed in the W126 and the W124 models , however the origin of this motor, where it was developed and how it was developed still remains a mystery within the AMG enthusiasts and collectors.The mystery of these engines can now be revealed as this car perhaps is the only living proof of the origin of this engine which will also confirm that the 6.0 M117/9 was first developed and built by AMG GERMANY. According to Mercedes Benz of North America and Mercedes Benz Germany, the car was manufactured on June 22 1990. The German ownership and registration also know as Fahrzeugschein (in German) states that the car I have, first year registration was in Oct,1990 as AMG 6.0 WIDEBODY M117/9. With this being said, we can now confirm that the M117/9 was first built in Germany and we can also confirm that this AMG was sold as AMG from day one with all numbers matching on the German registration aka Fahrzeugschein.

The Fahrzeugschein is the registration/ownership in Germany which not like the US or Canadian registration, is more detailed in any modification done to the car minor or extreme. Every single modification done on the car must be listed in the registration, so in the Fahrzeugschein that I have shown, all the AMG modifications that are done on the car are present. To be more specific I have a few page list of modifications that have been done with numbers that are matching on the car. This car has all the AMG upgrades that AMG offered for that year . This document is the ultimate proof of authenticity that one can have which is also documented in the ministry of transportation Germany.

Furthermore, a big possibility that this motor is the first motor AMG has built as M117/9. According to the German registration, during the three months while the car was being modified by AMG, the car was owned by Mercedes Benz Germany. It appeared to be that the car was ordered to be built by Mercedes Benz and the reason is still a mystery, but my gut feeling tells me there is history and a story behind it, which in fact could take this car to a next level of high end car collection which can be an important car in the history of the AMG era, a must have car to AMG collector and enthusiast.

The M117/9 motor is a magnificent motor and a true wonder of AMG engineering. To give you an idea about the value of this engine in 1990, it would cost you around 100,000 just for the engine and the engine bay modification, as for the total cost of this car, it would been around 335,000 DM which is about 200,000 USD.
The condition of the car is excellent condition everything works perfect except the sunroof, with only 37,000 miles it runs like new.
Fully serviced and up to date. Some of the rare Benz options this car has is the pre-heating system, the anti- skid control, system, a rear and side window curtains how ever they are removed but the tracks are there, it also has to AC control units for driver and passenger, top of the line alarm system
With motion detectors not even a fly can get in the car without your knowledge, a state of the art Xenon HID lighting system with level control
To view and discuss the delivery options please feel free to contact me i can arrange shipping and loading to anywhere at the buyer request, the car currently in Toronto. The vin number is WDB1260451A589879

The answer is that I don’t think they do much; perhaps equaled some of the rare ‘Hammer’ models like the 300CE 6.0 widebody or the like, but this is just about as good as pre-merger AMGs get. That’s why it’s no surprise that the bidding has been wild on this car, already past $90,000 with two days still to go. The reserve is off and baring some unforeseen eBay foolery this car will likely sell for a new W126 benchmark price. While it’s out of the reach of nearly all enthusiasts, to me this car is the perfect counterpoint to the M3 craze. This is such a unique car with so much performance, style and character; given the choice between spending $100,000 on a M3, a Porsche 930 or this, there would be no hesitation which I’d choose. The others are gorgeous and special in their own ways and perhaps deserving of the lavish attention being levied upon them, but this car is a step above.

It is stunningly perfect in theory and execution.

-Carter