Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG
Built to the special order of Grand Prix winner Tony Brooks
Estimate
£10, 000 - £12, 000
Registration No: LG02 FKR
Chassis No: WDC2030652RO35160
MOT: T. B. A.
Built to the special order of former Works Ferrari, BRM, Connaught and Aston Martin driver Tony Brooks who collected it from the factory
1 of just 326 UK-supplied examples
Faster, rarer and subtler than a BMW M3 (E46), Autocar finding one capable of 0-60mph in 4. 6 seconds and 0-100mph in 10. 8 seconds
Impressive specification included deletion of the standard speed limiter
Well documented service history and obviously well cared for
Launched in 2001, the Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG proved faster, rarer and subtler than the contemporary BMW M3 (E46). Comprehensively reworked by AMG, the newcomer’s 3. 2 litre V6 featured a new crankshaft, conrods, pistons, lightweight camshafts and hardened valve springs. Force-fed via a twin-scroll IHI supercharger, the free-revving powerplant developed some 349bhp / 339lbft. The ride height was lowered by 30mm, the suspension stiffened and the brakes uprated, while the five-speed automatic transmission was recalibrated to shift thirty-five percent faster. Although limited to 155mph, Autocar found the super saloon capable of 0-60mph in 4. 6 seconds (though, 180mph was rumoured to be possible if the relevant electrics were disabled). Just 326 C32 AMG Saloons are thought to have been supplied new to the UK.
The accompanying original invoice shows that the late Tony Brooks received a ‘special discount’ of some €9, 000 when ordering chassis 035160 direct from the factory; a measure perhaps of the respect he still commanded some forty-one years after hanging up his helmet. Finished in Brilliant Silver with Anthracite leather upholstery, his special order C32 AMG boasted a sunroof, air-conditioning, Xenon headlights, heated windscreen washers, COMAND, ski bag, electric rear window blind and disabled speed limiter (making it rather more comfortable than the Mercedes Gullwing he had campaigned for Rob Walker in period). Main dealer maintained up until 82, 414 miles, the last five services were carried out by marque specialist Star-Tec of Surrey with the most recent being at 118, 601 (circa 1, 500 miles ago). Obviously well cared for, the super saloon’s bodywork and paintwork belie its age and mileage. Lacking the flared wheelarches and more aggressive bodykits of subsequent AMGs, the C32’s electrifying performance is deliciously at odds with its understated looks. Retained by Mr Brooks until his death in 2022, the six-time F1 race winner remains the Mercedes-Benz’s only registered keeper. Surely one for the future given its rarity and provenance, ‘LG02 FKR’ is offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, book pack, MOT certificate, Internationaler Zulassungsschein and associated paperwork.
