Mercedes-Benz AMG GmbH was originally an independent firm specializing in performance enhancements to Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Then Daimler Chrysler AG took a controlling interest in 1999, later becoming sole owner of AMG in 2005, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG.

Founded in 1967, in its early days AMG concentrated on building racing cars based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class for European touring car series—the company rose to prominence and almost overnight recognition with the introduction of the “Hammer” in 1986. AMG worked its magic on the W124 E-Class with a tuned version of Mercedes-Benz’s 5.6-litre V-8, producing 365 bhp and thereby transforming the midsize sedan into the world’s fastest car at the time. Mercedes-Benz, incidentally, produced the W124 from November 1984 to August 1995.

Aero aids give the car a slick 0.25 Cx coefficient of drag, along with wheel, tyre, and suspension modifications that provide for great handling to match the enhanced potential. AMG has never released production numbers, but it is estimated that the cars were built in very limited numbers due to their high initial cost.

Born as a 320 TE and produced by Mercedes-Benz in December of 1992, this example was delivered new to Japan and is believed to have been converted to AMG specifications there. Finished in Blue-Black Metallic over a Black interior, it is showing 34,287 km from new and would surely be an excellent example to drive and enjoy.