“Where horsepower meets conversation”
By Paul Kramer · November 14, 2025
🎧 Checkout our latest reel!
🔥 IT’S HAMMER TIME!
Back in the day—when big hair, boomboxes and shoulder pads ruled the world—something wild was happening on the sedan scene. You know how everybody thought luxury sedans meant “quiet cruise, mellow ride”? Well, the folks at AMG decided: Screw that.
They took the humdrum, button-down world of the Mercedes‑Benz 300 E (part of the W124 series) and dropped in a monster 6.0 liter V8, widened the body, lowered the suspension—and bam!—you had a sedan that could punch supercars in the face.
🏆 From German roots to street legend
AMG wasn’t always part of the big Mercedes machine—it began as a renegade tuning outfit founded in 1967 by two ex-Mercedes engineers.
In the 1980s they were doing their thing: turning Mercedes sedans into performance beasts. By the mid ‘80s, the ‘Hammer’ was born.
🛠️ My AMG Hammer origin story
It’s August 1987 and the latest Road & Track is lying on the coffee table of my dad’s study. I start my monthly automotive absorption ritual. When I get to the feature article about the all new AMG Hammer (titled, “What’s Big, Red, and Eats Roads?”).
There was a picture of a red 1987 Mercedes E-Class sedan shot from the inside with a blurry background and the orange speedo needle tickling the 180mph hash mark. I was flabbergasted. I saved that article for years. I saw this car a few months later at the LA Auto Show and after that, nothing for the nearly 4 decades.
This all changed when my generous neighbor rolled into our shop, threw me the keys, and said, “Let’s go to lunch and you’re driving.” WTF?! 🤯 (oh, his family member drove up in a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II just for a proper photo. I truly lost my cool.)
Tune into the next episode of Full Throttle Talk to hear my impressions of this $750,000 Hammer!
Plug: For more insider car culture, epic stories and vintage-modern mashups, check out the Full Throttle Talk podcast—where we talk rubber-burns, throttle stomps and all the stuff your wife thinks you’re doing in the garage.
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/full-throttle-talk/id1797328371
— Paul Kramer
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🏁 Flat-12 & V12 Icons You Should Be Watching
By Tim Harris · November 14, 2025
Since 1990, most desirable 12-cylinder cars, tiered by acquisition budget, including whether a manual is available and the typical premium (or trade-offs).
1. Tier ≤ $250,000
Ferrari 550 Maranello (1997-2001, 5.5-L V12 front-engine)
Manual: Yes — this model was offered with a gated 6-speed manual before Ferrari fully switched to the F1/automatic boxes. Jalopnik+1
Typical Price: Recent US listings suggest $150k-$300k depending on mileage/condition. Forbes+1
Manual vs Automatic Price Difference: Manual variants tend to command a premium among enthusiasts; while exact spread is not always publicly broken out, forum commentary suggests manual examples (especially low-miles, LHD) sit at the upper end of the range. Reddit
Why Worth Watching: One of the last front-engine NA V12 Ferraris, timeless styling, good for driving and collecting.
Ferrari 512 TR (1991-96, flat-12 4.9-L)
Manual: Yes — this is a true five-speed manual flat-12 Ferrari. Bring a Trailer+1
Typical Price: Average ~$289k per Classic.com; lower-mile examples are already pushing higher. Classic.com
Manual vs Automatic Price Difference: All appear to be manual (this model didn’t widely have an automatic), so the premium is baked in. Rare spec = big premium (one sold ~$775k). Classic.com
Why Worth Watching: Flat-12 configuration gives a lower centre of gravity, unique sound and engineering flair.
2. Tier ≤ $500,000
Ferrari F512 M (1994-96, flat-12, last of the Testarossa line)
Manual: Yes — five-speed manual available.
Typical Price: Some examples listed over $500k; average broken out data shows ~$533k with top near ~$912k. Classic.com+1
Manual vs Automatic: Manual versions are the original spec; automatics were rare or conversions, so authenticity and build spec matter.
Why Worth Watching: Collector-grade flat-12 with strong upside if in exceptional condition.
Ferrari 812 Superfast / “GTS” (2018-23, 6.5-L V12)
Manual: No — this model uses a dual clutch automatic (no gated manual option).
Typical Price: Early 812 Superfast examples ~$290k-$420k; GTS higher.
Manual vs Automatic: Not applicable — automatic only, so the value is driven by spec, miles, series.
Why Worth Watching: Modern, high-performance V12 Ferrari; living with one is very different to the 90s cars.
3. Tier ≤ $1,000,000
Ferrari 599 GTO (2010-11, 6.0-L V12)
Manual: No — uses F1 dual-clutch/semi-automatic gearbox only.
Typical Price: Depending on mileage/spec, many trade under $1M; some exceptional cars already exceeded.
Manual vs Automatic: Not offered, so the “premium” is for spec, rarity, condition.
Why Worth Watching: One of Ferrari’s more limited series, strong engineering creds and collector interest.
Lamborghini Diablo SE30 (1994-95, V12)
Manual: Yes — standard 5-speed manual gearbox in these vintage Lamborghinis.
Typical Price: Recent sales around $650k-$700k (thus above this tier but shows market momentum). cargurus.com+1
Manual vs Automatic: Manual is standard; authenticity and condition dominate value.
Why Worth Watching: 90s supercar heritage, wild styling, V12 culture at its peak.
4. Tier ≤ $2,000,000
Aston Martin One‑77 (2009-12, 7.3-L V12)
Manual: No — uses a sequential automatic gearbox.
Typical Price: Auction results ~€1.44M (~$1.5M) recently.
Why Worth Watching: Ultra-limited run, high engineering prestige, strong collectibility.
Ferrari 599 SA Aperta (2011, V12 open top limited edition)
Manual: No — uses Ferrari’s F1 dual-clutch gearbox.
Typical Price: Recent sales €1.44M to CHF1.75M (~$1.5-2M).
Why Worth Watching: Highly limited; ticks the “halo” V12 box with open-top appeal.
🔧 Summary Table – Manual Availability & Premiums
— Tim Harris
🏁 The Full Throttle Talk Team
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