AMG tuned or badged?

[MB_Mike]

Although I have followed Mercedes for many years as an onlooker, I never have been able to discern what has been tuned by AMG and what has a badge. On the newer models that roll out as an AMG C63 or whatever that is obvious, but I like the classic Benz and don't know how to tell.

[WGB]

Very few were ever actually tuned by AMG and of those that were they never surface very often and are probably expensive cherished collectors cars and probably in Germany or other parts of Europe.

S-class in South Africa has one that has the proper code 991 for being removed from the production line and sent to AMG for modification but even then his car has no engine modification that I know about.

Most early AMG cars that surface in the USA were modified in the US after arrival and then usually only the cosmetics were altered.

AMG was taken over by M-B in the 90's and anything prior to this is more likely to be bits here and there rather than complete cars.

Bill

[s class]

Correct Bill.  My car does not have any telltale indications on the cams.  I was told by the seller that it has AMG-modified heads, that had an extreme cut on the ports that lead to them cracking in the early 80's.  AMG apprently sent replacements out under warranty.  There is no paperwork to support this, but with the tappet covers off, there are various indications that the heads have been removed at some point. 

My car does have the AMG recaros, and twin snorkel air intake, which are perhaps two of the most widely accepted indicators of AMG attention.  Of course code 991 does strengthen the argument. 

In the early days of AMG, owners could pick as many or as few of the mods as they could afford.  For instance, my car does not have the spoiler, Pentas, AMG speedo or any bootlid badging.  But then again it was factory suppllied with delection of the 450 and 6.9 badges.  My instrument cluster is engraved with the AMG logo, below the speedo.  Who knows?

[MB_Mike]

Understood. Thanks for the info!