Widebody AMG 3.4 Coupe Shows It’s Not Just Hammers That Hit Hard

Long before AMG became Mercedes-Benz’s in-house performance division, it was building some of the wildest and most desirable German machines money could buy. And while most of us have heard of AMG’s legendary Hammer, this widebody 300 CE-24 proves the Affalterbach skunkworks didn’t need a giant V8 to create something special.

Currently up for grabs on Bring a Trailer, this 1992 Mercedes-Benz coupe is one of an estimated 25 examples converted to full AMG 3.4 specification when new. It’s now showing 83,000 miles (134,000 km), but you’d be hard pressed to tell from the condition.

Related: AMG Once Cheated On Mercedes With A Mitsubishi, And You Can Buy The Evidence

The coupe started life as a 300 CE-24 before heading through AMG Germany, where its M104 inline-six received a comprehensive makeover. Displacement grew from 3.0 to 3.4 liters thanks to a larger bore and longer stroke, while AMG camshafts helped boost output to a claimed 268 hp (272 hp). That’s a substantial increase over the circa 217 hp (220 PS) of a standard car and enough to give this elegant coupe performance worthy of its aggressive appearance.

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And aggressive it certainly looks. Finished in Blue-Black Metallic, the coupe wears classic AMG widebody fenders, deeper body cladding, a front spoiler, rear spoiler, and gorgeous three-piece AMG wheels. It looks like it’s ready for a cameo as the bad guys’ car in a thriller about the Yakuza, which is pretty apt given Japan is where it was shipped after its original AMG conversion.

Period-Correct Inside And Out

Inside, things are equally period-correct. Heated Recaro Classic sport seats, AMG instrumentation, real wood trim, and a Technics cassette stereo deliver exactly the kind of atmosphere you’d hope for from a top-shelf luxury tuner car of the era. And unlike many modified cars, this one appears to have avoided unnecessary modern updates.

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The selling dealer says he’s invested heavily in preparation before listing it. An engine-out service included resealing key components and replacing numerous wear items, while the transmission was removed and refreshed at the same time. New Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires should help the old-school AMG put its power down more effectively than ever.

Okay, so if we’re being picky, it isn’t a Hammer. Cars powered by AMG’s thunderous 6.0-liter V8 have entered an entirely different financial universe, with one example selling for $885,000 in 2023. But for many enthusiasts, this six-cylinder widebody coupe hits a sweet spot between rarity, usability, and pure pre-merger AMG cool. Don’t be surprised if bidding gets serious. You can take a look at the full listing here.

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