503 Motoring's E55 AMG on Vossen VLE-1

The Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, in all of its elegance, is quite simply a monster hiding in the clothes of its fellow E-Class businesspeople. Disguised as just another E-Class with only subtle differences that mark it as an AMG, the E55 blends right in. “But once you start it up and the sultry purr of the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 separates the gravel from the tires, you know it’s not your grandmother’s E-Class,” is how my lovely girlfriend (@myimola) described it when I consulted with her. And Tim Walbridge (@503tim), President of 503 Motoring, in Beaverton, Oregon, agrees. This is 503 Motoring’s E55 AMG on Vossen VLE-1 Wheels.

“The E55 is the perfect mating of power, style and comfort,” Tim, confirmed. “At 469hp and with positions for 4 adults it is one of the most understated rocket sedans made, in my opinion,” and that just barely begins to describe it. A 0-60 time of just 4.5 seconds, for a car that can comfortably carry 4 adults, is enticing to say the least! Between the sound of the purpose-built V8 and the the Lysholm supercharger, one can’t help but be weak at the knees. And when Tim passed us on the highway on our way to shoot, it was the sound, alone, that led the way to the location.

Being a native to the Pacific Northwest, Tim saw a perfect opportunity to mix one of his favorite German sedans with some utility and sport, and that’s where Livery Design Gruppe and Whispbar enter the picture. With Tim’s LDG 700c bicycle mounted to the trusty-and-sleek roof rack and fitted with a color-matched (to his VLE-1s) Aerospoke wheel, the otherwise-ordinary E55 has taken on a unique look, suited perfectly to Tim’s interests.

For his other set of wheels, Tim selected our limited-edition VLE-1 wheels in a staggered setup, 20×9 in the front and 20×10.5 in the rear. With color-matched center caps, the VLE-1s look right at home, adding just the right hint of aggression to the supercharged V8-powered E-Class.