In 1989, at their headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany, AMG was already renowned for crafting some of the most potent and meticulously engineered vehicles in the automotive world. Starting as an engine builder and racing team, AMG had evolved into a celebrated tuning firm. By this time, their motorsport partnership with Mercedes-Benz was flourishing, having begun four years prior, and a global network of dealerships was expanding, bringing AMG’s high-performance road cars to eager customers worldwide. This era marked a pivotal moment as Mercedes-Benz, through their collaboration with AMG and Sauber, officially announced their return to top-tier motorsport in 1989, reviving their legendary “Silver Arrows” and Sportabteilung, their famed “sports department,” which had been initiated clandestinely in 1984.
AMG’s Rise to Prominence
The now-iconic partnership between Mercedes-Benz and AMG, a cornerstone of modern automotive performance, might never have come to fruition without the groundbreaking engineering innovations of Erhard Melcher, an AMG co-founder. His pivotal creation in 1984, a dual-overhead-camshaft cylinder-head conversion kit for Mercedes-Benz’s M117 V-8 engine, was not just a personal triumph but also cemented AMG’s reputation for superior and unique products, distinguishing them in a crowded market of aftermarket tuners. This innovation set the stage for AMG’s future as a leader in high-performance Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The 560 SEC AMG 6.0 Wide-Body: A Masterpiece of its Time
This 1989 560 SEC AMG 6.0 “Wide-Body” stands as a prime example of AMG’s most audacious and iconic creations from their defining era. The sheer expense associated with AMG’s enhancements – the 6.0-liter engine package, the sophisticated DOHC conversion, and the striking wide-body aerodynamic kit – significantly inflated the price of a brand-new, top-of-the-line S-Class coupe. This made the 560 SEC AMG 6.0 “Wide-Body” unequivocally one of the most extravagantly priced and coveted road cars of the “Excessive Eighties.”
Presented in a striking Blue-Black Metallic (199U) exterior with a luxurious Anthracite leather interior, this particular 560 SEC was originally commissioned for the German market with gray leather upholstery and completed in September 1989. This color combination enhances its aggressive yet sophisticated stance, typical of the era’s high-performance luxury vehicles.
Destination Japan: A Hub for AMG’s Finest
During the production period of this vehicle, Japan emerged as the most enthusiastic market for AMG’s bespoke creations. Cars destined for Japan were produced through two primary methods. The first, and the one applicable to this specific car, involved acquiring nearly new or brand-new German-market vehicles and then entrusting them to AMG in Affalterbach for comprehensive modification before being exported to Japan. The alternative method consisted of converting Japanese-market cars using engine and parts kits supplied by AMG Germany, carried out by Yanase, the dealer group representing AMG Japan, through their branch network.
Based on the sequence number of its AMG engine unit (447), it’s estimated that AMG transformed this 560 SEC into its current spectacular configuration in late 1989 or early 1990. It was then promptly exported to Japan, where it remained until April 2016. Its last registration in Kobe (Osaka) was marked as “302 47-76,” with approximately 87,850 kilometers (54,587 miles) recorded at the time of its export to the United Kingdom.
After a brief period in the UK, an Austrian collector acquired the vehicle and registered it in Bregenz as “B 8792.” In 2020, it was purchased by its previous owner and exported from Austria, showing just 88,240 kilometers (54,829 miles). This detailed ownership history adds to the car’s intrigue and provenance, highlighting its journey across continents and through discerning collectors’ hands.
Impeccable Condition and High-Performance Features
Currently, the odometer reads 89,044 km (55,329 miles), and the Anthracite leather interior is remarkably well-maintained. Notable interior features include multifunction Recaro Ideal seats, known for their comfort and support, and elegant burl wood trim adorning the doors, dashboard, and center console. The driver is greeted by a four-spoke, leather-wrapped, AMG-branded Momo M38 steering wheel, set against an instrument cluster that boasts AMG’s signature 300-kph speedometer, also framed in burl wood.
The exterior and mechanical components of this 560 SEC AMG are equally authentic and correct. AMG body numbers are present on the front fenders, bumpers, and side skirts, confirming its genuine wide-body conversion. The DOHC valve covers bear stampings that correctly identify the engine’s 6.0-liter displacement, sequence number, and the employee ID code of the technician who assembled it. Further stampings on the heads, exhaust manifolds, and throttle body serve as additional validation of the extensive AMG modifications. The color-matched OZ Aero III wheels, dated to 1989, house upgraded twin-piston front brakes and a complete “AMG by Bilstein” suspension system, ensuring both formidable performance and refined handling.
In preparation for its sale, this exceptional AMG has undergone routine mechanical servicing and has been fitted with a new set of high-performance Continental ExtremeContact 02 tires. This attention to maintenance ensures it is ready for its next custodian.
The Quintessential Youngtimer Collector Car
Undeniably one of the most recognizable and iconic German automobiles of its generation, this AMG-enhanced super-coupe provides an unmatched blend of luxury, performance, and renowned German reliability, all encased in a visually arresting design. Alongside RUF’s Porsche 930-based CTR Yellowbird, the wide-body 1989 Mercedes-Benz S-class Coupe offered here stands as perhaps the most quintessential representation of Germany’s vibrant Eighties tuning culture. More expensive than a Ferrari Testarossa, quicker than a Lamborghini Countach, and offering comfortable seating for four, it is the quintessential “Youngtimer” collector car, appealing to enthusiasts who appreciate the zenith of 1980s automotive engineering and design.
