AMG was founded in 1967 by a pair of former Mercedes engineers to serve Mercedes customers seeking a bit more pace. This effort was initially oriented toward motorsport, with the firm developing racing engines and a few years later, this had become whole cars, including the iconic 6.8 liter racing version of the 300 SEL 6.3 which finished second overall at the 1971 24 Hours touring car race at Spa. By the mid 70s, AMG’s focus had shifted to road cars, and they offered a host of cosmetic and performance upgrades for the full Mercedes line. These became increasingly outlandish in the 80s, including 5.0 liter Mercedes V8 (M117) swaps into the W123 E-Class and ultimately, one of their most iconic cars, the widebody version of the 126 generation S-Class coupe.
Based on the contemporary C126 pillarless coupe, AMG’s cosmetic package included widebody fenders and full aero kit including front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and trunk lid spoiler. Bright trim was color coded, and wider AMG wheels were fitted as well. A host of mechanical upgrades was also offered including suspension, brakes, and engine, the ultimate of which was a quad cam head upgrade for the Mercedes M117 V8. Original AMG widebody coupes with the full mechanical spec have transacted in excess of $700,000, leaving plenty of room for cars that duplicate the aesthetics of these cars for a fraction of the price.
This is one such car, which received a widebody conversion in Japan many years ago. Aesthetically, it replicates the look of the AMG car and does include a few genuine AMG parts including the rear spoiler, Penta alloy wheels, and steering wheel. The car is also equipped with the Recaro Ideal Seats used in the AMG cars. The car was imported from Japan approximately two years ago and has since received a rebuilt transmission and a service that included new belts, fuel pressure regulator, spark plugs and wires, and front brake pads.
