Deep dive into the legendary Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC AMG
The vibrantly energetic attitude of the 80s was marked with a fresh generation of sports cars that broke through the boxy style of the times with sleek, exotic lines ― the Porsche 959, Ferrari Testarossa, Lotus Esprit, and Chevrolet Corvette (C4), to name a few.
Among the boom of race-worthy rides, rivalries were bound to arrive, such as the duel between the BMW 635 CSi coupes and the Mercedes 560 SEC AMG ― one of Benz's all-time biggest stars.
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BMW made waves in 1983 with the release of the 635 CSi, featuring an edgy iteration of its traditional six-cylinder in-line, with 3.5 liters of displacement and 289 h. Although Mercedes offered more powerful models at the time, they lacked the sporty aesthetic that was dominating the decade ― so the auto manufacturer set forward on elevating their 560 SEC ride to a new level.
Approaching AMG, which had not yet been integrated into the Daimler-Benz group, the revamp began by giving a "pass" on the V8, which underwent an extensive overhaul and had a high power to 386 hp, the same as Testarossa. Wider tires required enlarged fenders, and the addition of skirts and a discreet airfoil emphasized the sporty look while increasing dynamic potential of the nearly two-ton ride.
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A striking two-tone white over silver paintjob complemented by a luxurious light grey leather interior are accented with sleek wheels, resulting in a modern look that stood ahead of the times at the point of production ― which, by the way, was highly limited. The official count is unknow, some arguing that AMG produced less than 10 units while others claim there were up to 30 ― although there's no shortage of original 560 SECs that later "converted" to the visual elements of AMG's version.
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Today one of the OG models will cost up to six figures if you're looking to add one to your collection, with RM Sotheby's featuring a unit at their 2016 auto auction for a starting bid of no less than $100 thousand USD.
For today's wheels, see how Hyundai is dropping one of 2021's most anticipated rides.