Most enthusiasts will recognize AMG as the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, but some may not realize that the acronym stands for Aufrecht, Melcher, Großaspach and has been around since 1967. Afrecht and Melcher were engineers, and Großaspach was Aufrecht’s place of birth. The organization is headquartered in Affalterbach, Germany, and has been wholly owned by Mercedes-Benz since 2005. Let’s look at one of the cars that helped put AMG on the map as a performance brand.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Miami, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Art meets adrenaline,” the listing begins. “Exquisite 2009 Mercedes SLK55 AMG. A convertible powerhouse with unprecedented low mileage!”
The SLK model first came out in 1997 as a compact grand-touring roadster, and it evolved through 2020 in three distinct generations. Today’s example comes from the second generation (dubbed the R171 chassis) which boasted improvements in aerodynamics, roof mechanism architecture, trunk space, and amenities. The generation initially launched in 2004 and went through a refresh in 2008. Throughout its lifespan, the SLK was built will sheer driving enjoyment in mind: Seating for two, open-air exhilaration, a retractable hardtop for isolation when needed, and top-line V8 performance. It was a status symbol when it came out in 2009, and it remains one today.
Today’s silver metallic SLK shows just 32,300 miles on the odometer. That is barely broken in for the “M113” 5.5-liter V8 which directs power to the rear wheels through a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain combination was good for 355 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque when new, and period testing showed that the car was capable of hitting 60 miles per hour in fewer than five seconds. The seller says the car is sorted and ready to go: “Recently serviced and pampered with a fresh oil and filter change, this car is eager to bring its next owner many more miles of driving pleasure.”
Based on the gallery of over 50 photos in the listing, this car is about as showroom-kept as one would expect. Even the split-spoke 18-inch machined aluminum wheels look clean, and the upholstery is well-preserved for being 15 years old.
The asking price is $29,500 for this roadster, which is a steal considering it had an original MSRP of $67,785. The seller says it best: “It’s not just a ride – it’s an expression of style, power, and exclusivity.”
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
