I Bought a "Holy Grail" AMG GT R Track Unit with a "Bad" Engine!

Auction Purchase and Initial Inspection

• 💰 The AMG GT R Track Unit, with an MSRP of $198,000 and trading around $160-170k, was acquired for $74,000 at auction.
• 🔍 The car, a rare 9,000-mile Solar Beam Metallic AMG GTR, was listed with a voided warranty, defective engine, and structural damage.
• ⚠️ Initial inspection revealed a shriveled dash, peeling clear coat on carbon fiber mirrors, and factory protective wrap on hinges, suggesting it may have sat outside for years, possibly on a racetrack.

Vehicle History and Potential Use

• 🚗 The car's history indicates it was owned by Mercedes-Benz USA and used by their AMG Driving Academy in California.
• ❓ A previous service record noted aftermarket turbo and exhaust components, leading to a voided warranty claim.
• 🏎️ It's speculated the car was used by a sponsored race car driver or for media events, potentially explaining its track history and modifications.

Mechanical and Cosmetic Condition

• ⚡ Upon applying power, the car's cluster and screens illuminated, and the window operated, contrary to auction descriptions.
• 💧 Evidence of water ingress was found in the cabin and under the spoiler, raising concerns about potential flood damage, though the interior did not smell bad.
• 🔧 The engine, while not attempted to be started, showed signs of potential issues, including coolant on the last spark plug and a puddle of coolant in one cylinder, though initial boroscope inspection of cylinders was mostly positive.

Restoration and Investigation

• 🛠️ The car was transported to Chicago and underwent initial cleaning, revealing the engine bay to be surprisingly clean despite its condition.
• 🔩 Disassembly for engine inspection revealed untouched factory bolts and potential prototype fenders with carbon fiber patches, adding to the car's mystery.
• 🔍 Spark plug inspection showed excellent condition across all cylinders, even the one with coolant, leading to a 30% chance the engine might be fine.
• 🚗 Further investigation included checking the exhaust for signs of blown head gasket and confirming the presence of factory catalytic converters, though downpipes might have been modified.

Ongoing Mystery and Next Steps

• 🤔 The exact cause of the engine issue and the car's history remain a mystery, with possibilities including track use, a minor leak, or a blown head gasket.
• 📈 The owner plans to perform further tests, including a compression test and draining the old fuel, to diagnose the engine and uncover the full story of this unique AMG GTR.