CuratedTV drops into Florida-based RENNtech to check on restoration work and highlights some very special Mercedes-Benz models from the 80s and 90s.
Mercedes-Benz lovers may need to wipe off the drool after watching a new YouTube video from CuratedTV. Presenter Stephen takes viewers along for a visit to the facilities of RENNtech, the noted Mercedes performance company.
Under normal circumstances, that might be exciting enough, but in this instance, watchers get to see two examples of the storied AMG Hammer sedan from the 1980s.
A Double Dose Of AMG Hammer
Stephen highlights some of the noted Mercedes cars currently at RENNtech, including an SL74 with a stroker engine and an original AMG 560 SEC Widebody. And while these are pretty uncommon, it’s a pair of AMG Hammer sedans that really attracts attention. Seeing one is unique, but seeing two together is practically mythical.
One example came from Monaco as the one-time ride of an unnamed Formula 1 driver. The car is midway through a comprehensive restoration that includes engine and suspension overhauls. We learned that the second AMG Hammer sedan started as a factory prototype and gained fame as a Road & Track cover car.
Significance Of The AMG Hammer Vehicles
Calling an AMG Hammer rare is an understatement. From a 1986 debut, AMG only produced 30 examples over the next several years, with only 13 being for the U.S. market. These were the heydays of the 1980s when Miami Vice showcased an over-the-top lifestyle that the Mercedes Hammer came to represent.
But there’s more to these AMG Hammers than the rarity. These cars are the last hurrah of an independent AMG. The 1990s opened with Mercedes-Benz taking a minority interest in the firm, and the decade closed with AMG wholly owned by the legendary automaker.
How Much Is An AMG Hammer Worth?
In 1986, the AMG Hammer sold for about $161,000, or about $440,000 after inflation. That put it among very rare company back then. For instance, a 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante went for $96,005 (or about $262,000 today), while Ferrari Testarossa from the same year cost $85,000.
Because the AMG Hammer is so rare, it’s hard to determine a value. Conventional sources like Hagerty and Bring a Trailer show zero results. According to MB Market, a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 6.0-liter AMG Hammer Coupe sold for $761,800 last year.
Given the recent appreciation in the ultra-rare classic car market, seeing an AMG Hammer cross the seven-figure threshold doesn’t seem far-fetched.
Sources: YouTube/CuratedTV, thembmarket.com, robbreport.com, bls.gov
