AMG put the SEC seats in - they are nice. It was a good idea.

Damien has a Getrag close-ratio box in it with the dogleg shift pattern. First gear is down left and low, so the shift to second is a time-consuming one. Good for track racing, bad for street racing. I've learned to rev and start in second if I'm wanting a "launch".

Driving it - it's a German muscle car. The engine howls, the exhaust growls, and when you put your foot down, you'd better know where you're going because the first thing to happen is the car breaks the tires loose, the hood lurches upward in front of you, and before you mind can think "OH MY GOD!", you're near 6000rpm and thinking "crap, I have to shift already?", so you hammer on the clutch, the nose drops down a bit, you shift upward to second, pop the clutch, and bam, the engine snarls again, the nose raises up in front of you, and the rear tires break loose again. Second is a great gear - lots of travel before the shift to third - lots of beautiful noise/music made in second. The car is a demon, it loves to stretch its legs, and it sounds wonderful doing it. I'm anxious to get it on a dyno to see what the real numbers are.

On the other hand, you can go for leisurely stroll, stay off the throttle, shift smoothly, and it drives/rides just like a Mercedes should - a tourer.

I call him Damien for a reason.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600