17 rare AMG Mercedes in no-reserve sale

Seldom-seen AMGs for sale

Big-capacity engines, menacing bodywork and a skunkworks appeal that’s difficult to ignore. 

Pre-merger AMGs are bespoke, high-performance Mercedes-Benz cars built before the three-pointed star bought a 51% stake in the German tuning company in 1999.

Late classic car enthusiast Barry Taylor amassed a huge collection of Mercedes cars, AMG spare parts, bodykits and more, from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s – and now his California-based stash of 400-plus items is available in a no-reserve auction.

The Bonhams|Cars AMG Rediscovered sale is live now, until 24 June 2024.

Here are the modified Mercedes going under the virtual hammer, listed in chronological order.

1. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 (est: $9-14,000/£7,100-11,000)

This rather sinister-looking Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 is the oldest car in the collection.

Although it was hardly a slouch to begin with, this 300SEL 6.3’s M100 V8 engine has been replaced with an eight-cylinder Chevrolet unit, apparently from a Corvette.

2. 1972 Mercedes-Benz 350SL (est: $23-30,000/£18-24,000)

This 350SL roadster is an early R107-generation car.

Although the engine has not been fettled with, the car’s bodywork has received the AMG treatment.

It’s got beefed-up bumpers and side skirts, plus five-spoke Penta alloy wheels.

3. 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC (est: $45-60,000/£35-47,000)

Unlike the SL on the previous slide, this Mercedes coupé’s AMG modifications are more than skin deep.

This car’s original 4.5-litre V8 has been replaced by the 6.9-litre motor usually found in the 116-series 450SEL 6.9.

It was reportedly built for a former boss of Germany’s Dresdner Bank.

4. 1978 Mercedes-Benz 280CE (est: $20-25,000/£16-20,000)

Struggling to spot any AMG upgrades on this 123-series Mercedes?

The only modification on this near-163,000-mile car is an AMG steering wheel.

Still, its twin-cam ‘six’ will be more than enough for most, plus it’s got independent suspension and disc brakes all round, too.

5. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 500TE AMG (est: $150-180,000/£120-140,000)

AMG shoehorned Mercedes’ M117 V8 engine into a handful of 123-series estates, and this car was one of them.

Other upgrades included uprated suspension, bigger wheels and a sportier bodykit.

This car was, apparently, one of the few examples built by AMG in Affalterbach, Germany, rather than at one of the tuning company’s US distributors.

6. 1980 Mercedes-Benz 280E (est: $22-30,000/£17-24,000)

Champagne Yellow paint, tan-leather seats and a four-speed automatic gearbox – this tuned Mercedes 280E is a high-performance cruiser, 1980s style.

On top of its AMG bodykit, this car allegedly went to AMG’s Affalterbach works to have its twin-cam ‘six’ upgraded, too.

7. 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380SE (est: $25-30,000/£20-24,000)

This Lapis Blue Mercedes was delivered to its first owner in Bielefeld, Germany.

The standard 3.8-litre V8 engine sends its power to the rear wheels via an AMG rear differential, apparently installed by the German tuning company.

And it certainly looks the part. This 48,739-mile car has body-coloured Penta wheels and modified bodywork.

8. 1982 Mercedes-Benz 280SE (est: $25-30,000/£20-24,000)

The Mercedes S-Class is associated with effortless style and gentle wafting, but this Silver Blue Metallic 280SE appears to cater for enthusiasts, too.

Its five-speed manual gearbox, M110 ‘six’ and AMG bodykit suggest the next owner will have just as much fun behind the wheel as they will enjoying the spacious rear bench.

9. 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC (est: $18-25,000/£14-20,000)

This red-and-gold Mercedes left the factory as a Lapis Blue 500SEC, but it was later turned into a drop-top by an unknown company.

Not for the shy and retiring, this modified three-pointed star has covered just 55,661 miles since new and will need some work before returning to the road.

10. 1983 Mercedes-Benz 190E (est: $25-35,000/£20-28,000)

Flared wheelarches, a subtle spoiler and a body-coloured grille set this Mercedes apart from run-of-the-mill W201 190 saloons.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 2-litre, fuel-injected ‘four’, which makes 120bhp.

Apparently it was displayed at the 1983 Frankfurt motor show but, like others in this no-reserve sale, it now needs some recommissioning.

11. 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E (est: $32-38,000/£25-30,000)

Company cars don’t get much cooler than this AMG-engineered Mercedes. 

Hans Werner Aufrecht, co-founder of the German tuner, reportedly used this 190E.

Unsurprisingly, the car didn’t remain standard for long: new suspension, Recaro seats and an ‘AMG Stage 3 engine package’ are among the upgrades.

12. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (est: $28-35,000/£22-28,000)

Nicknamed The Blue Shoe, it’s believed this Mercedes was used by Adidas or Puma in one of its advertising campaigns.

Additionally, the seller thinks it was an AMG test car that evaluated different bodywork for future models.

13. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL (est: $28-35,000/£22-28,000)

This 500SEL’s exterior appears to have been treated to the full works.

It’s pictured squatting over its rear axle because its M117 V8 has been removed.

Prospective bidders will be pleased to learn that its engine is included in the sale.

14. 1991 Mercedes-Benz S600 (est: $12-18,000/£9,500-14,000)

The Mercedes S600 was a technological tour de force, and this modified example comes with AMG Monobloc II alloy wheels and an aftermarket reflective panel on its bootlid.

After years in storage, however, it has suffered from surface corrosion and its history folder is limited.

15. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E (est: $15-25,000/£12-20,000)

This classic Mercedes is the exception in this no-reserve sale, because it is not an AMG. That said, it is still most definitely a performance Benz.

The 124-series 500E has the distinction of being a Mercedes that was also worked on by fellow Stuttgart firm Porsche. And it is a true Q-car. 

Bigger brakes, upgraded suspension and slightly wider bodywork are the telltale signs that this 322bhp saloon is capable of 0-60mph in 6.1 secs.

16. 1996 Mercedes-Benz E50 AMG (est: $24-30,000/£19-24,000)

Here we have another go-faster E-Class: the rare, 210-series E50 AMG.

Its 155mph (limited) top speed and 6.2-sec 0-62mph performance are thanks to its 342bhp, 5-litre, light-alloy V8.

This Green Black Metallic car is believed to be one of just a handful in the USA.

17. 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 AMG Estate (est: $13-18,000/£10-14,000)

AMG went to town on the 210-series Mercedes with the range-topping E50 and E55.

But the German tuning company fettled other models in the range, too.

This V8-engined E420 wagon is fitted with a host of AMG styling options, as well as modified suspension.

Get bidding

Have any of these classic Mercedes caught your eye?

If so, you’ll need to act fast: you’ve got until 24 June 2024 to bid on these lots in this Bonhams|Cars no-reserve online sale.

The auction ends from 10:00 PDT (18:00 BST) and the first car finishes at 13:20 PDT (21:20 BST).

It will be followed by another Mercedes-focused auction a few weeks later, from 22-29 July, when the rest of Barry Taylor’s collection of automobilia and spare parts will go under the hammer.

The seller notes that these cars have been in long-term storage, so don’t expect to drive them away after the sale.

Click here to view the full catalogue.