Many people are looking for AMG bodykits for their cars, but not many know of the different types of AMG kits that were made. I decided to post a thread to help those not familiar with the variations know more on this topic. Not all AMG kits are alike, some were made specifically for US-spec bumpers and others were made for Euro-spec ones. You also have Japan-spec, but more on that later.
Then it gets more complicated. The Euro-spec bumpers were divided into 2 Generations. The 1st Generation ones made for Euro W126's built from 1979 to 09/1985 and 2nd Generation kits made for W126's built after 09/1985. If you have a Euro-spec W126, chances are you have a 1st generation Euro as there are VERY few generation 2 Euro W126's in the US.
The US spec bumpers were the same throughout the production line. Only the side panels differed(ribbed vs. non-ribbed) between the older (1980-1985) and later (1986-1991). So the Generation 1 and Generation 2 front and rear spoilers do not differ from one another.
I must point out, I've seen pictures of MANY different W126's tuned by AMG... but have not seen a US spec Generation 1 W126 tuned by AMG. Reason being, the 1st Gen US W126's were MUCH under-powered to the Euro counterpart that customers opted to purchase one in Europe and have it shipped to the US. **At the time, the US dollar was also strong to the German DM that it allowed many cars to be purchased and imported into the US as grey-market cars. Hence you can find so many Euro-spec W126's and some of those that are AMG-kitted.**
There is also a difference between kits designed for SEC's and the sedans. However, the main difference is particularly found in the front spoiler. From what I gathered, the difference between SEC and SE/L kits are seen only in 1st Generation Euro ones. The sideskirts differ in length between a SEC and SEL's and have different KBA and AMG part numbers to differentiate the 2 types. The rear spoiler/bumper are the same between the 3 W126 variations(SEC/SE/SEL).
In Gen 2 Euro kits, the front spoiler is interchangeable between the SEC and SE/SEL. The sideskirts come in 2 parts and can be shortened to accomodate the SE/SEC. The rear spoiler is the same between the 3 variations.
Japan-specs don't differ much from the 2nd Gen Euro. However there are a couple items that seem to be more popular in Japan than in other parts of the World. The front bumper on *most* W126 AMG's were fitted with an AMG bumper than had driving lights incorporated into them. It is a one piece bumper replacement with chrome trim attached to them. Though this was also offered in Europe to customers (per the 1990 AMG dealer catalog), it was rarely chosen over the more subtle AMG front lip. Japan-spec W126 AMG's often had the 3-piece AMG ducktail spoiler as opposed to the more subtle trunk spoiler.
Another variation to the AMG bodykits were found in the "widebody" SEC's, but these are much different than the normal-bodied counterparts. All the parts were different to accomodate the much wider parts. There was also a Gen1 and Gen 2 widebody kits... however no US-spec widebody kits were ever made.
Picture time!
The above is a nomal body, 1st Generation Euro AMG. The rear spoiler only covers the bottom of the rear bumper. The sideskirts have "ears" and protrude out and the front spoiler covers the edge as well as part of the front of the bumper.
The above is also a normal body SEC, but its got the 2nd Generation Euro AMG kit. The rear spoiler covers most of the rear bumper(not just the bottom), the sideskirts are flat and don't protrude out like the older generation and the front spoiler wraps only around the edge of the bumper.
The above is a US spec SEC AMG. The bumper on US spec cars protrude out more than Euro-spec ones, so the kit has to accomodate for that. The kit is similar to that of the Euro 1st gen kit in design. The rear spoiler only covers the bottom of the rear bumper. The front spoiler also covers the edge as well as a portion of the front of the front bumper. The sideskirts came in 2 styles, one as shown above with "jack holes" and ones without... as per Axel's examples shown below...
Above is a Euro spec Gen1 AMG kit for the SE/L. Same style kit as found on the SEC but with longer sideskirts. The front spoiler also covers part of the front of the front bumper as shown below.
__________________ 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL soon to be Euro-spec clone AMG (summer of '09) 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190E AMG (undergoing restoration: July 1 - October 17, 2008)
Above is Jonathan's 32V 6.0 AMG SEL that has the US-spec(I should probably reffer to it as North American-spec as the car originated from Canada). The car is missing the front spoiler, which seems to be common on many cars over the years. The front spoiler is the same as on the US-spec SEC AMG as shown below.
Shown below is a Japan-spec AMG. Notice the front bumper integrated with driving lights as well as the 3-piece ducktail spoiler on the trunk lid.
There were an additional 2 types of trunk spoilers. One that could have an integrated 3rd brake light in the middle. Another was a much larger spoiler than the ones pictured in the first couple of pictures that wrapped around a part of the trunk lid.
When looking for an AMG kit for your car, you must know which version will fit your car. A 2nd Generation Euro kit will not fit a 1st Generation Euro car and vice versa unless the bumpers are changed for the proper type. A US-spec bumper will not hold any of the 2 Euro generation kits.
Where to find an AMG kit?
The AMG kits have long been out of production. The 1st Generation Euro ones are nearly impossible to find new. Best bet to find them is at a junkyard in a major city or browsing online. US-spec AMG kits may still be purchased at Barry Taylor's AMG West facility, but be prepared for his price.
2nd Generation Euro kits are the hardest to find. However, according to member "Mudster"... a kit or atleast a couple are still available in Affalterbach but can take up to half a year to order. To purchase a kit straight out of Affalterbach will cost you way over 3000 Euro's. However, he's also making decent looking replica's of a kit he purchased from Affalterbach at a price of 950 GBP.
the japan spec black sel looks like it has had the front amg spoiler and rear duck tail spoiler from an r129 sl made to fit. i don't think amg did a ducktail and front spoiler like the one shown in the picture for the 126 series cars.
The front bumnper and rear ducktail are genuine w126 parts - I have the same pieces on my white 560SEC. The front bumper on my car and the rear ducktail are all homologated/engraved with w126, AMG wording and AMG part numbers beginning with the C788 designation, confirming the authenticity.
The front bumnper and rear ducktail are genuine w126 parts - I have the same pieces on my white 560SEC. The front bumper on my car and the rear ducktail are all homologated/engraved with w126, AMG wording and AMG part numbers beginning with the C788 designation, confirming the authenticity.
Pics attached below.
cheers
talbir
I'm hardly ever wrong but maybe this time i am. they possibly could be late model amg spoilers 89 onwards because that shape front spoiler came out with the r129 sl amg package and so did the ducktail. looking at the amg brochure package that i have i cannot find either the ducktail or front spoiler for a 126 car the same as yours or the japanese one in the picture. i have both an early catalogue and a more complete later model 87 onwards catalogue that covers all amg packages from the 190, to the w124 and w126 including interiors, engines, suspension, leather and wood options, and bodykits.
I'm hardly ever wrong but maybe this time i am. they possibly could be late model amg spoilers 89 onwards because that shape front spoiler came out with the r129 sl amg package and so did the ducktail. looking at the amg brochure package that i have i cannot find either the ducktail or front spoiler for a 126 car the same as yours or the japanese one in the picture. i have both an early catalogue and a more complete later model 87 onwards catalogue that covers all amg packages from the 190, to the w124 and w126 including interiors, engines, suspension, leather and wood options, and bodykits.
The ducktail and front spoiler are indeed genuine W126 AMG parts. I am on the road right now and don't have access to my AMG brochure, but I can provide you the AMG part numbers to these items if you want when I get back.
The ducktail and front spoiler styling was shared with the following chassis:
W124, W201, W126 and the R129.
All 4 of the above chassis also came with 3 piece AMG wheels, but differ in size(16 and 17") as well as offset and width.
I too never saw these items in any Euro AMG catalog, but do have a Japan catalog for w126 with these items in there. These items were geared for the Japan market.
The w124 came with virtually the same front bumper and ducktail in 1987 as well, so it's not a year issue, it's a market issue.
I may well have pictures i took off the part numbers before i mounted the bumper and ducktail....i shall see if i can find them, otherwise i'll take the bumper off to prove the point :-)
Rest assured, these items are 100% genuine w126.
Also, it'd be near impossible to mod a 129/124 bumper/ducktail to fit a 126...totally different size and mounting points / hardware.
The catalog is a Euro one, updated for 1990. Came from a German-based AMG dealer and prices are in German DM. It includes bodykit pricing and part numbers for Gen 1 and Gen 2 kits amongst other items.
Funny thing is that there was an order written in pencil for a 560SEC to be converted to a 6.0 32V with a 5-speed manual transmission in this catalog for a gentleman with a Japanese last name. So it makes me believe there is such a beast somewhere in Japan..
Vehicle: 1985 380SE US Spec | 1983 500SEL EURO Spec | 1998 GMC Sierra 2500 6.5 Turbo Diesel
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,658
Damn This should be under the post for new users and kept availible in a stick somewhere. Good info, I learned a lot.
__________________ 1985 380SE
Done:
Katmac Euros | Full Pioneer Speaker Upgrade | Alpine Sub/amp | Period correct Early AMG/ATS made 15" Pentas | GEN I AMG Steering Wheel | Full Front End rebuild | Seat repairs | Some New Zebrano Wood|
To Be Done:
Drivetrain Swap From A Gen I 83' 500SEL Euro With 231HP Engine And 2.24 LSD| Get The Rust Out! |This Damn Thing Has Me Broke!|
and ones without... as per Axel's examples shown below...
Linear Mode
