Mercedes-AMG Hammer 6.0 Wide Body
The AMG Hammer is the car that transformed AMG from an obscure German tuning company into a household name among performance car enthusiasts. Created by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, the Hammer took a standard Mercedes-Benz W124 300CE coupe and replaced its six-cylinder engine with a massively modified 5,953cc DOHC V8, creating what was effectively the world's fastest sedan in the late 1980s.
The M117 V8 engine was comprehensively reworked by AMG. Enlarged to 5,953cc, fitted with hand-ported heads, special camshafts, forged pistons, and Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection, it produced 385 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 570 Nm of torque at 3,750 rpm. The Wide Body version featured the broadened fenders of the later E-Class, accommodating wider wheels and tires for improved grip.
The Hammer could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 300 km/h — performance that matched or exceeded the Ferrari Testarossa of the same era. But unlike the Ferrari, the Hammer could do this while carrying four adults in air-conditioned, leather-upholstered comfort, with luggage in the trunk. This juxtaposition of luxury and performance was the Hammer's defining characteristic.
The chassis received AMG-specific modifications including lowered suspension, stiffer springs and dampers, larger anti-roll bars, and upgraded brakes with ventilated discs. The five-speed automatic gearbox (the only transmission available) was recalibrated with firmer shift points and a torque converter modified for reduced slip.
The Hammer's reputation was built by a famous Car and Driver road test in 1986, where it was named the fastest sedan in the world. The article described the Hammer as looking like a taxi but going like a rocket — a description that perfectly captured the car's wolf-in-sheep's-clothing character.
AMG produced only a handful of complete Hammer builds — estimates range from 30 to 50 cars — making it one of the rarest performance sedans ever built. Each car was hand-assembled at AMG's Affalterbach workshop, with the engine build taking approximately 40 hours. Today, the Hammer is one of the most sought-after AMG products, representing the raw, independent spirit of AMG before its acquisition by Daimler-Benz.
Authentication is paramount — verify through AMG's records. The hand-built engine should show AMG's hallmark craftsmanship. Check for correct AMG-specific components (wheels, body kit, suspension). The W124 platform is generally robust but check for rust in subframes and jack points. Service history from AMG-experienced specialists is essential. Documentation proving genuine Hammer status significantly affects value.
Hand-built at AMG's workshop in Affalterbach, Germany from 1986 to approximately 1991. Only an estimated 30-50 complete Hammer builds were produced. Each engine required approximately 40 hours of hand assembly.