1984 Mercedes W126 500SEL. Ex NEC Motorshow display car. Requiring sympathetic restoration. Great project

Key Facts

VEHICLE OVERVIEW

Debuting way back in 1979 at the Frankfurt Motorshow, the Merc W126 took the motoring world by storm, winning numerous awards internationally, and even that famous accolade ‘the best car in the world’.

In September 1984, Stuttgart built this 500 SEL, it was destined to be chauffeur driven exclusively for Mercedes Benz UK’s Managing Director – Hans Teuscher.

Being an ultimate specification car, it was initially earmarked to represent the brands flagship car at the NEC Motorshow in October of the same year.

The specification consists as follows:

224: Front and rear single seats, left and right, electrically adjustable, front seats with memory control, electric headrest adjustment & ruffled pockets

226: Footrests in the rear

227: Ashtray, cigar lighter and rear, L and R

240: Outside temperature indicator

251: Becker Mexico cassette, full stereo, electronic

256: Rear axle with limited-slip differential

307: Refrigerator/coolant compartment in trunk

406: Single seat with orthopaedic front seat backrest, left and right

410: Sliding roof, electrically operated

430: Headrest in the rear, left and right

440: Tempomat (cruise control)

461: Instrument with miles ind and English legend

470: Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

507: Outside rear view mirror, left and right, heated (Electrically adjustable on the right)

531: Automatic antenna

543: Sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right

580: Air conditioner

592: Heat-insulating glass, All-around, heated rear window-pane, band filter

603: Headlamp wiper unit and oil for rear axle with limited-slip differential, in canisters and containers 

615: Lamp unit, asymmetrical L.H traffic, and front and rear door courtesy lamps

640: 15-hole light alloy rims

731: Wood trim, burred walnut root

872: Seat heater for left and right rear seats 

873: Seat heater for left and right front seats

877: Reading lamp in the rear 


A fellow exhibitor in the same exhibition hall spotted the car and after some arm twisting a deal was struck and the car was delivered by his local Mercedes dealer – Hughes of Beaconsfield on December 3rd.

The car was used frequently until the owner took delivery of an early R129 SL300 in late 1989. The SL won him over and the S Class was then scarcely used but parked safely in his garage at his residence in Poole, Dorset.

Fast forward another 11 years and the car was driven to his son’s residence near Maidenhead, Berkshire – the plan being to sell the car. The car was subsequently parked up – mostly outside until 2020. For the last year, the car has been kept safely inside after a thorough clean-up.

The mileage at 36,086 miles is correct and authentic, a one owner car and retaining its original factory paintwork.

The car will now need restoring and should you be interested to know more, please contact us for further details.