An extremely rare Mercedes-Benz G 600 TE AMG built for the Paris-Dakar Rally and driven by former Formula 1 driver Clay Regazzoni has been listed for sale with a price tag approaching half a million euros, according to automotive reporting by Garáž.cz.
Development and Engineering of the Dakar Special
The Mercedes-Benz G 600 TE AMG emerged in the late 1980s through a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and AMG designed specifically for demanding long-distance endurance rallies like the Paris-Dakar. While the vehicle utilized a standard Mercedes-Benz G-Class as its foundation, the engineering team at AMG modified almost every major component. Under the hood sits a modified W126-generation S-Class V8 engine, bored out to nearly six liters of displacement to produce 331 horsepower and more than 520 Nm of torque.
To optimize weight distribution in desert racing conditions, engineers shifted the engine as far back into the chassis as possible. AMG reinforced the transmission, differentials, and entire chassis to withstand the severe impacts of off-road driving. The factory steel body panels were replaced with lightweight components constructed from fiberglass, Kevlar, and aluminum, while the underlying frame received custom carbon-Kevlar skid plates and protection. Although the exterior retained the basic silhouette of a conventional Geländewagen, the vehicle functioned as a purpose-built racing machine equipped with dual safety fuel tanks boasting a total capacity of 450 liters.
Racing History With Clay Regazzoni
The vehicle’s motorsport history is closely tied to Clay Regazzoni, a former Formula 1 driver who suffered career-ending paralysis during a crash at the 1980 United States Grand Prix. Regazzoni later returned to top-tier international competition as a disabled driver using hand-controlled vehicle modifications, competing in endurance events and rally raids.
According to Garáž.cz, the vehicle offered for sale by Mechatronik is the sole surviving example of the two prototypes built in this specific configuration. The SUV made its debut at the 1989 Paris-Dakar Rally, where mechanical issues and an accident forced an early retirement. For the 1990 event carrying race number 223, Mercedes-Benz updated the machine with a completely new, aerodynamic body shell that significantly altered its appearance. Although mechanical trouble forced an abandonment before the start of the 1991 Dakar Rally, Regazzoni drove the G 600 TE AMG in the 1992 edition of the race.
Rally Vehicle Enters Market for Half a Million Euros
Beyond the Dakar, the vehicle competed in the 1991 Pharaohs Rally and the 1993 Baja España. Following the turn of the century, the rally special transitioned to historic motorsport competition, participating in events such as the 2008 Transafricane Classic. Regazzoni kept the machine in his private collection until his death in 2006, after which his family sold the car.
The vehicle has been listed on the market since late 2025, with recent public listings indicating an asking price near half a million euros, as reported by Garáž.cz. Current inquiries require prospective buyers to request pricing directly from the seller.
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