An exceptionally rare Mercedes-Benz G 600 TE AMG built for the Paris-Dakar Rally is currently listed for sale at a price nearing 500,000 euros, according to the automotive outlet garaz.cz. Developed in the late 1980s as a desert racing prototype, the vehicle features a modified 6.0-liter V8 engine and holds a direct connection to former Formula 1 driver Clay Regazzoni, who drove it in endurance events following a career-altering accident.
Engineering a Desert Prototype in the Late 1980s
The Mercedes-Benz G 600 TE AMG emerged from a joint project between the German automaker and its performance tuning partner AMG to conquer grueling long-distance rallies. garaz.cz reported that engineers took a standard Mercedes-Benz G-Class and extensively re-engineered almost every component to withstand extreme desert conditions. To achieve optimal weight distribution, the team pushed the engine as far back into the chassis as possible.
Underneath the hood sits an S-Class W126-derived V8 engine bored out to nearly six liters of displacement. garaz.cz noted that the powerplant produces 331 horsepower and generates more than 520 Nm of torque. Engineers reinforced the chassis, transmission, and differentials, replacing standard steel body panels with lightweight skiff components made from fiberglass, Kevlar, and aluminum. A carbon-Kevlar shield protects the underbody.
The vehicle’s endurance capabilities relied heavily on its fuel storage. garaz.cz stated that the prototype incorporates safety fuel tanks with a total capacity of 450 liters, allowing the crew to traverse extended desert stages without refueling stops.
Racing History Across Four Dakar Rallies
Mercedes-Benz produced only two examples of the G 600 TE AMG specification, with dealership Mechatronik identifying the currently offered vehicle as the sole surviving unit. The prototype made its competitive debut at the 1989 Paris-Dakar Rally, though mechanical failure and an accident forced an early retirement, garaz.cz reported.
For the 1990 event, the vehicle returned under race number 223 wearing a completely redesigned, more aerodynamic body that discarded the traditional Geländewagen silhouette. Mechanical gremlins struck again before the start of the 1991 Dakar Rally, forcing another withdrawal. Clay Regazzoni drove the machine during his final Dakar appearance in 1992.
Beyond the Dakar, the car competed in the 1991 Pharaohs Rally and the 1993 Baja España. It later transitioned to historic motorsport competition, entering events such as the 2008 Transafricane Classic. Regazzoni retained the prototype in his private collection until his death in 2006, after which his family sold the machine, garaz.cz reported.
Private Sale Continues for Sole Surviving Mercedes-Benz G 600 TE AMG
The vehicle has remained on the market since late 2025, with garaz.cz identifying the most recently advertised price at nearly half a million euros, translating to slightly more than 12 million korun. Prospective buyers must now request pricing figures directly, as the seller no longer publishes a public figure.
The question of whether an international museum, a private collector, or a historic racing stable will secure the sole surviving Mercedes-Benz G 600 TE AMG remains open as the private sale continues.
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