How Two Engineers Turned AMG Into A Legend

Two engineers walked away from the safe path and built an icon. That’s the spark behind AMG’s journey from late-night tuning to a seat at Mercedes’ top table, and author Matt DeLorenzo brings the full story to life with factory access, rare photos, and details that rarely leave the archives. We dive into the early moonlighting years, the audacious 300 SEL 6.8 “Red Pig” that shocked Spa in 1971, and how race wins turned a side hustle into the performance heartbeat of Mercedes-Benz.

Matt helps us connect the dots from privateer sedans to the Hammer era, where a V8-stuffed E-Class redefined fast luxury for the U.S. market. We talk about German touring car glory, the first co-developed C 36, and the strategic moves that led Mercedes to buy AMG outright. Inside Affalterbach, the one-man-one-engine philosophy still stands, with each builder signing their work. That culture of accountability and craft underpins halo cars from the SLS Gullwing to the AMG GT, proving AMG can design from a clean sheet, not only tune.

There’s a fascinating twist next door: HWA, Hans Werner Aufrecht’s outfit, building GT race cars a stone’s throw from AMG’s campus. It keeps competition central to the brand’s identity, reminding us that stopwatch data still shapes the street. We round out the show with a practical review of the 2025 Kia Telluride—trims, towing, real-world fuel economy—and a nod to Marco Andretti’s retirement, a closing chapter in a storied racing surname.

If you love motorsport history, engineering craft, and the stories behind badges that actually mean something, this one’s for you. Hit follow, share it with a fellow car nut, and leave a quick review to tell us your favorite AMG moment.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome, Banter, And Today’s Lineup
• 2:17 Introducing Author Matt DeLorenzo
• 3:08 AMG Origins And Early “Frenemies” Era
• 6:45 From Moonlighting To Bergstätt: The First Shops
• 8:07 The 1971 “Red Pig” Breakthrough At Spa
• 11:30 Growth, Touring Cars, And The Hammer
• 13:45 Mercedes Partnership To Full Acquisition
• 16:20 Factory Visits And One-Man-One-Engine
• 18:30 SLS To AMG GT And HWA
• 20:35 Where To Buy The Book
• 22:00 Motor Minute: Marco Andretti Retires
• 24:00 Kia Telluride Review And Pricing
• 27:30 Community Events, Sponsors, And Closing