Street Legends: Mike Murphy and the AMG That Hauls More Than Groceries

Some people build cars for drag racing. Some buy muscle cars. But Mike Murphy? He went for the sleeper sedan route — and ended up with a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E63S AMG that’s as comfortable hauling his pet tarantulas across the country as it is running 11.2s at the strip.

We caught up with Mike in St. Thomas, Ontario, to hear how a correctional officer from England ended up daily-driving one of the meanest German sedans around.

From Liverpool to Labrador to the Drag Strip

Mike’s story starts far from Ontario. Born and raised in Liverpool, England, he grew up glued to Top Gear since age three — so being a car guy was basically inevitable. After moving to Canada in 2013, he spent years in Labrador working as a correctional officer. There, he needed a reliable daily that could claw through snowbanks and handle life at –40°C.

Enter the AMG. In late 2024, Mike spotted a Tenorite Metallic Grey E63S on Auto Trader with a matching Designo Amaretto interior. It ticked every box: family-friendly, AWD for the North, and still packed enough punch to make him grin. Originally bought as a “sensible” upgrade from his troublesome RAM Rebel, it didn’t take long before that “no plans to race or mod” promise went out the window.

The Build That Turned Luxury Into Lethal

When Mike picked up the car, it was pristine — no scratches, no worn leather, just an older gentleman’s trade-in. But pristine doesn’t stay stock for long.

The AMG now boasts:

aFe filters & Renntech downpipes
Stage 2 tune
Resonator delete
Wood-trimmed trunk floor (classy and sassy)
Coil suspension replacing the infamous Airmatic

Mike even added Android Auto — because what’s the point of 700+ horsepower if you can’t stream Eurobeat while doing pulls?

And when he says it’s fast, he means it. On a “closed road,” he once saw 320 km/h with a gear still left in reserve. His phone launched into the back seat, reminding him this wasn’t your grandma’s Benz.

Life in the Fast Lane

On the drag strip, Mike’s AMG is a wolf in very stylish sheep’s clothing. His best time so far? 11.2 seconds at 128 mph, and he’s only been out twice.

Lining up next to muscle cars, he admits it’s a strange feeling:

“I’m pulling up in a boat of a luxury sedan, and somehow, I’m right there with purpose-built cars. It’s surreal.”

He’s already had his share of stories. Like the time brake-boosting went wrong, causing a misfire for the first 50 meters — only for the AMG to recover and still snag the win. Or his debut at St. Thomas Dragway, where a guy in the stands muttered, “Who the hell brings a Mercedes to a drag strip?” By the end of the night, even that skeptic was impressed.

The Daily Driver That Carried Snakes, Lizards, and Eight Tarantulas

This isn’t just a race car — it’s Mike’s everything car. From battling Labrador winters to hauling his life across Canada, the E63S has done it all. On one move, he packed the trunk and back seats with luggage… plus a snake, a lizard, and eight tarantulas. Nothing says “daily driver” quite like that.

And yet, the car still manages to shock people. As Mike says:

“If I drive it easy, it doesn’t give a hint it’s 700+ awhp — besides the exhaust note. People are always surprised when they hear the times it runs.”

Looking Ahead

Mike’s not done yet. The next step is suspension tweaks, ironing out small issues, and then — more power. His sweet spot? Around 850 hp. Enough to break into the 10s without gutting the interior, but still daily-driveable. Long term, he’s eyeing a British Racing Green wrap, because if you’re going to be fast, you might as well be stylish too.

Dream races? He’s got a few: Peter Neufeld’s Explorer ST, a similarly tuned BMW M5, or even a stock Hellcat. Heavyweights only.

Street Legend Status

From Liverpool kid to Labrador winters to St. Thomas Dragway, Mike’s journey with his AMG is proof that a luxury sedan can earn street cred. It’s fast, it’s practical, and it’s got just the right amount of chaos to belong in the Street Legends hall of fame.

So next time you see a Mercedes pull into the staging lanes, don’t laugh. You might be watching Mike’s AMG — and chances are, it’s about to embarrass something purpose-built.