Mercedes -- AMG history goes back how far?
01-07-2002, 12:17 PM
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16V190, E55, Porsches several
Mercedes -- AMG history goes back how far?
I understand the current ownership (or controlling share) of AMG by Mercedes, but how far back does the relationship between the 2 companies go --- wasn't AMG involved in the MY86-87 production of the 16V 190? GreggT
01-07-2002, 08:06 PM
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ML 500 Sport
According to the AMG web site the first official collaboration was in 1988 in the German Touring Car Championship. First production contract between AMG and MB was in 1990.
01-07-2002, 10:06 PM
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C32 AMG, Volvo S80T6
but they have involvment much longer than that
There relationship goes back to the sixties and seventies. One of the earlier cars they made for consumers was the 1979 6.9 which was an S series sedan that did 60mph in under 8 seconds. This thing weighs over 4000 pounds. Although they just purchased them in the last two years, they go back a very long way. Im going to post some pics of my buddy's 6.9 in the next couple of days. Magnificent car.
01-07-2002, 10:46 PM
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I think the 60's and 70's relationship was never official. At this point AMG was still an independent tuner and had no official point of contact with MB (how much official interaction do you think MB has with say, Brabus, today). It wasn't until Mercedes started to racing again in the late 80s did an official relationship evolve, as they needed the services of a specialty tuner with race experience.
Regards, BT
Regards, BT
01-08-2002, 08:44 AM
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16V190, E55, Porsches several
In the mid 80s, I recall, you could buy AMG options for some of the Mercedes line (performance upgrades, body kits, etc) and the 190 stuff made that car look very much like the actual 16valve Mercedes product, so I always thought they must have been wkg together on that, however at that time I don't believe MB was acknowledging (in marketing materials) any assist coming from that firm. Sound correct? GreggT
01-09-2002, 09:43 PM
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C32 AMG, Volvo S80T6
the 450SEL was built by Mercedes
You could however, send it to AMG to be tuned. That was the only car they tuned then (and now) and Mercedes still warrantied the vehicle. Im not sure how official that is, but sounds fairly serious if the manufacturer is willing to warranty their vehicle after this work. They had special mechanics for engine specific problems which was the big thing that AMG did then. I watched all this take place from a friend who has a '79 6.9AMG. He hasnt had any problems to speak of, that a local MB mechanic that he found (came to this country after working at AMG) can not resolve.
