It all started with three letters. In 1967. In Burgstall. A as in Hans Werner Autrecht, M stands for Erhard Melcher and G comes from Grossaspach. The place and the men, two automotive engineers, who started a local business and later converted it into a global brand.
But Aufrecht’s vision was beyond making a reputation. He was dreaming of offering road vehicles inspired by the successful racing car that Manfred Schiek had won by ten times in the German Touring Car Championship: the one bearing 300 SE, developed by Aufrecht and Melcher.
In 1967, the two engineers founded the “Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach Ingenieurbüro, Konstruktion und Versuch zur Entwicklung von Rennmotoren” (“Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach engineering firm, design and testing for the development of racing engines”). We know by now that most businesses start in garages. This one started out in a former mill, in the near town Burgstall.
1971 – 300 SEL 6.8 AMG takes first place in its class at Spa-Francorchamps and got second place in the overall ranking. That was the first time the whole world stood and listened the roar of the “Red Pig” on the racetrack. A fast luxury sedan competing against cars which were much lighter and winning made them famous.
And the years went on. With new engines and new awards for their “one man, one engine” endeavor.
1978 – AMG moves to Affalterbach with 40 employees.
1988 – AMG becomes Mercedes-Benz official partner in motor sport.
1990 – Cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and AMG concluded for a while.
1993 – Premiere of the C 36 AMG, first car developed in collaboration between AMG and Mercedes-Benz.
1996 – Premiere of the E 50 AMG with the V8 engine and 347 bhp.
1998 – AMG-Mercedes wins the FIA-GT Championship.
1999 – Foundation of the Mercedes AMG GmbH.
2000 – Bernd Schneider wins the DTM Championship.
2001 – Premiere of the AMG 5.5-liter V8 Kompressor engine (SL 55 AMG).
2002 – 35th anniversary. Opening the new AMG Showroom and the AMG engine production.
2003 – AMG knocks down “Engine of the Year” Award for its spectacular AMG 5.5-liter V8 Kompressor engine.
2005 – World premiere of the AMG 6.3-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine.
2006 – Opening of the Performance Studio.
2006 – AMG Performance Studio Introduction of the AMG Black Series models and AMG Signature Series.
2006 – Biggest model offensive in the AMG history: the CLK 63, the SL 55 AMG, the SL 65 AMG, the CL 63 AMG, the R 36 AMG, the E 63 AMG, the CLS 63 AMG, the S 65 AMG, the CLK GTR and so on.
2006 – Fifth DTM championship title for Bernd Schneider
2006 – AMG- Mercedes C-Class most successful DTM touring car.
2006 – 54 victories since 1986 in 106 races
2007 – Foundation of the AMG Driving Academy that still gives the enthusiasts the chance to experience the AMG vehicles in their natural habitat: the racetrack.
2007 – AMG celebrates 40th anniversary.
2007 – Edition CL 65 AMG “40th Anniversary”.
2007 – Introduction of the new C 63 AMG.
2008 – Introduction of the SL 63 AMG with AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission.
2008 – “Best of What’s New” Award in the category Automotive.
2008 – AMG Performance Studio launches the SL 65 AMG Black Series and the SL 63 AMG Edition IWC.
2008 – Bernd Schneider becomes brand ambassador.
2008 – Establishment of the 175 AMG Performance Centers in 15 countries
2009 – World premiere of the E 63 AMG with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed sports transmission
2009 – The AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine wins Engine of the Year award in the category “Best Performance Engine”.
2009 – World premiere of the SLS AMG, the gullwing daredevil that is still the favorite of celebrities world wide.
2010 – SLS AMG becomes official F1 Safety Car.
2010 – Premiere of the 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine.
2010 – Presentation of the SLS AMG GT3 as a costumer sports racing car.
2010 – Presentation of the development project SLS AMG E-Cell.
2010 – World premiere CL 63 AMG with AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine.
The video stops, but the story goes on, to live its “happily ever after” time after time and to bring into the world insane cars, like the AMG GT – fully developed by AMG – launched exactly one year ago.
