- This early AMG model predates the brand’s merger with Mercedes’ performance division.
- The sedan is powered by a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with tubular heads and exhaust.
- AMG upgraded the car with Bilstein suspension, staggered wheels, and sporty front aprons.
Make no mistake, AMG builds some truly remarkable cars. But let’s be honest—there’s a good argument to be made that the current line-up has lost some of its mystique, largely because there are just so many models to choose from now. Fortunately, an amazing early AMG model is up for auction, reminding us just how special these pre-merger tuned Mercedes really are.
Read: Can You Believe This 53-Year-Old Mercedes Has Never Been Restored?
AMG was founded back in 1967 as an independent engineering firm and made a name for itself as a purveyor of upgraded Mercedes-Benz models. In 1981, the company’s boss, Hans Werner Aufrecht, was looking to launch the company in the US, and after a chance meeting with Richard Buxbaum from Classic Motors in Illinois, AMG North America was brought to life.
A Personal Touch
This stunning 1984 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL 5.0 AMG, affectionately dubbed ‘Blueberry,’ was originally Buxbaum’s personal car, and it was commissioned specifically for him as a surprise. According to RM Sotheby’s, it was a gift from Aufrecht and began life as a standard German-spec 500 SEL before undergoing a full transformation.
Photos Jeremy Cliff/RM Sotheby’s
As part of the upgrade process, the car was overhauled with a new sports suspension from Bilstein and it now sits on staggered 16-inch wheels. It was resprayed in Lapis Blue Metallic and features aerodynamic front and rear aprons, giving the classic Benz a much meaner look. The 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 has also been upgraded and includes a sports exhaust system with tubular headers and twin mufflers.
A Storied Ownership
Buxbaum treated the car as his daily driver for just over a year before it was sold to Vermont billionaire Richard B. Cohen. He used it as his daily for the next five years before trading it back to Buxbaum, who then sold it to the Mercedes specialist tasked with maintaining it during Cohen’s ownership.
Year after year, from 1993 to 2022, Buxbaum made persistent efforts to buy the car back. His determination finally paid off in October 2022, when he was able to reacquire it and embark on a full restoration. The auction house expects it to sell for between $150,000 and $200,000.
If you’re feeling tempted by the allure of owning a piece of AMG history, or just want to indulge in some automotive daydreaming, you can dive deeper into the details or even register to bid on this special piece of engineering. You can check out the full listing here for all the details on the auction .
