The Archive: W124 AMG Hammer

[MEIN_VW]

It's amazing to think that by today's standards, the performance of the AMG Hammer is nothing to get excited about. 21 years ago, it's preformance was legend. A 4-door sedan that had a higher top speed than a Countach, a 288 GTO, a 911 Turbo and on and on.

The Hammer's US price of $167,000 in 1987 is equal to about $311,882 today. It was an insane amount of money in 1987 when you could buy a Testarossa for $134,000 or a Countach for $138,000. And a 911 Turbo would set you back a measly $69,000.

But the Hammer was so over the top in 1987 for sedan that it immediately earned legend and cult status.

[rs4-380]

that phototshoot is so 80's it's uncanny

[WhiteRat]

Quote, originally posted by rs4-380 »

that phototshoot is so 80's it's uncanny

It's Enzodude's long lost half brother from another mother.

[atchudy]

Quote, originally posted by WhiteRat »

It's Enzodude's long lost half brother from another mother.

yes!!!!!!!!!!

[jettaivglxvr6]

All the painted parts and additional body pieces look a bit cheesy and 100% 80's.

[Lwize]

The Hammer was too much.

I'm more drawn to the Porsche-built 500E, with the menacing front fender flares.

[schwein]

i agree it i thought the same wheni saw the slightly blury pictures, maybe in person or some higher rez pics would change my mind. (hint hint)

[jnm2.0t]

is it me or is that an absurdly large steering wheel?

[Thrice]

What surprises me is the width of the tires, 215 front/235 rear. Seems very skinny by today's standards.

[wolfsburgfanatic]

one of my all-time favorite cars

[VWestlife]

Quote, originally posted by MEIN_VW »

And that was the standard-issue Mercedes-Benz "steamship captain" steering wheel back then. The size was a vestige of the leverage required for the base model W123 with manual steering.

[jacobyb]

Still a great looking car

[baconisgood]

Man. I don't even like 4 doors, but that thing is tight.

Quote, originally posted by VWestlife »

And where is this from!? It's drivin' me NUTS!

[DUTCHMANia]

Quote, originally posted by VWestlife »

[friends] Jean Claude van DAMN that's a fine automobile[/friends]

[VWestlife]

Quote, originally posted by baconisgood »

And where is this from!? It's drivin' me NUTS!

It's from the HAMMER!

[davedave]

I sorely miss the days when AMG wasn't just another dealer option.

[BrodieDub]

Quote, originally posted by Lwize »

I'm more drawn to the Porsche-built 500E, with the menacing front fender flares.

<--- As am I

Mines:

[Dawg Dee-Lux]

Quote, originally posted by BrodieDub »

<--- As am I Mines:

The beauty of beeing a car-nut, is that one can spot a 500E in a matter of nano-seconds, mere mortals sees just another E-Class/Taxi.

[Dawg Dee-Lux]

Have AMG ever made a good looking Benz?

[BrodieDub]

Quote, originally posted by Dawg Dee-Lux »

The beauty of beeing a car-nut, is that one can spot a 500E in a matter of nano-seconds, mere mortals sees just another E-Class/Taxi.

Exactly, I love the looks from those in-the-know here and whenever I get gas and I'm approached by an appreciator it's guaranteed to be a car-nut. It's even better that mine is a rare gray market euro car and one of only 3 E500E's in the state.

On topic, having driven a real Hammer twice I really REALLY respect them and adore the look of them in their dressed up glory. So very 80's, so very tough, and so very fun.

[Son]

I'll take the Waxenberger instead, please.

[J-Tim]

Quote, originally posted by jnm1point8t »

is it me or is that an absurdly large steering wheel?

Nah, I think it's absolutely perfect for a Mercedes. In fact, the only smaller wheel you could get back then was if you opted for a "Sportline" option, which would give you a slightly smaller steering wheel, along with lowered suspension and bucket seats.

[Samson]

Quote, originally posted by BrodieDub »

<--- As am I

Nice. I almost bought a '92? a few years ago, complete with built-in early '90s car phone and random keypads. Great cars.

[Oliver@triplezoom]

Does anyone know how many Hammers were built?

[HwAoRrDk]

You could probably re-publish that article today, simply changing all references of "AMG Hammer" to "Brabus Bullit". The ethos of the two cars are very similar.

[CamaroDude]

Modern-day Hammer.

[Chapel]

there's one of those for sale near me
It's red too.

[deucestudios]

from the time when AMG meant something...

Quote, originally posted by baconisgood »

And where is this from!? It's drivin' me NUTS!

[FastGTi]

Quote, originally posted by rs4-380 »

that phototshoot is so 80's it's uncanny

huh?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/uncanny

[BrianGriffin]

This guy is SCREAMING for some P-chop action!!! He would be a great addition to the Enzodude/Mazdawg/Moshgirl/Saturnlady crowd!

[a2a4raddo]

i would love to own a dark grey or black AMG Hammer.

[MoMoney]

Quote, originally posted by Dawg Dee-Lux »

The beauty of beeing a car-nut, is that one can spot a 500E in a matter of nano-seconds, mere mortals sees just another E-Class/Taxi.

Ok, this car was quite a bit before my time, so care to explain what the differences were from just another E-Class?

[MEIN_VW]

Quote, originally posted by MoMoney »

Ok, this car was quite a bit before my time, so care to explain what the differences were from just another E-Class?

The most powerful engine in the E-Class at that time was the 177hp 3.0L inline-6. The Hammer has a 6.0L V8 shoehorned into it.

AMG took a standard 5.6L 268hp SOHC V8 from the S-Class, enlarged it to 6.0L and added their own DOHC 4-valve heads as well as other tweaks to boost power to 375hp



Modified by MEIN_VW at 11:54 AM 6-20-2008

[P-Body]

Why is AC Slater in that photoshoot? Zack Morris is not pleased.

[Der Audidude]

Quote, originally posted by a2a4raddo »

i would love to own a dark grey or black AMG Hammer.

Yeah, red is not the Hammer's friend (the colormatched grille just kills it for me).