The 2022 SCM 1000 AMG Invitational was born out of a phone call. About two years ago, SCM Publisher Keith Martin called me to discuss his next serial car purchase. I suggested he consider an R230 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. I explained that it is a near-supercar bargain, bestowed with one of the most refined AMG engines ever assembled — the nearly 500-hp, 5.5-liter M113 Kompressor. Keith soon acquired his Iridium Silver SL55 and within a few months hatched the plan to host the first-ever tour for AMG cars. With the annual SCM 1000 as its template, the AMG Invitational would be […]
The 2022 SCM 1000 AMG Invitational was born out of a phone call. About two years ago, SCM Publisher Keith Martin called me to discuss his next serial car purchase. I suggested he consider an R230 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. I explained that it is a near-supercar bargain, bestowed with one of the most refined AMG engines ever assembled — the nearly 500-hp, 5.5-liter M113 Kompressor. Keith soon acquired his Iridium Silver SL55 and within a few months hatched the plan to host the first-ever tour for AMG cars.
With the annual SCM 1000 as its template, the AMG Invitational would be limited to performance Mercedes models. Keith theorized that this event would attract enthusiasts from a distinct niche with a broader and younger demographic. Several sponsors also liked the idea, including Hagerty, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz Classic, Reliable Carriers, RM Sotheby’s, Rallista and The MB Market, and eagerly supported the event.
Entrants came from far and wide. One couple drove their 2000 E55 from Chicago. A participant who had transport problems resorted to renting an AMG GLS63 on the car-sharing website Turo. A notable collector shipped his in-the-wrapper, 250-mile SLR McLaren Stirling Moss from Seattle (see sidebar) and proceeded to quadruple its mileage.
The meticulously planned routes exposed participants to some of the finest roads in the world — the back highways of Oregon have no equal. In the high desert, you could drive straight and see for miles ahead. We also traversed twisty roads that led us into deep and dramatic gorges with spectacular views. Our daily backdrops included the snowy peaks of Mt. Bachelor, the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood. Each day, the itinerary allowed drivers to see and learn something new.
One day we toured the Big Obsidian Lava Flow with an expert guide. On another, we visited the High Desert Museum, where various birds of prey skimmed overhead during their raptor show. We visited the Erickson Aircraft Collection and marveled at the enormous and pristine collection of World War II fighter aircraft, witnessing the startup of a P-51 Mustang. Finally, we took to the track at Oregon Raceway Park for parade laps.
With accommodations in the center of Bend, OR, it was an easy walk to all the best restaurants in town. Located in the heart of Oregon’s spectacular high desert, Bend is a special place. The small town evokes the stark beauty, exclusive intimacy and genuine simplicity of Aspen in the 1960s. Daily drives departed from the hotel parking lot in a hub-and-spoke approach that meant participants did not have the hassle of packing and checking out every day.
Our evenings consisted of camaraderie, cocktails and conversations. Before dinner, Keith would lead a casual seminar on various relevant and timely topics — including a fascinating discussion about the recent sale by Mercedes-Benz of the Uhlenhaut coupe. Dinners were held at Bend’s top restaurants. Participants often met up for after-dinner drinks — one such local watering hole was an intimate and private speakeasy situated in an oversized broom closet.
The AMG Invitational proved again why Sports Car Market is so much more than just a magazine. It’s a way for enthusiasts to connect with the larger community, to share and experience collector cars well beyond what resides in their own garages. This special iteration of the SCM 1000 brought the pages of the magazine to life during a magical week. ♦
