This 1984 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC was originally ordered and sold as a German market example. Import dates and timelines are unclear but last registration shows Colorado in 2008. It’s since been parked with an independent workshop and is being offered as a running project. Finished in Black (040) over a Palomino Leather (274) interior, power comes from a 5.0L M117 V8 paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. Features include 16” RIAL Leichtmetallfelgen Wheels, power seats, a power sunroof, power windows, rear defrost, an original Becker head unit, and the original Euro-market bumpers and headlamps. The car was reportedly parked in 2008 for need of a water pump, at this time the engine does turn over but the seller doesn’t recommend driving the car. This 500SEC currently shows just 36k miles (TMU) and is being offered with one key and a clean Colorado title.
Finished in Black (040) with matching black lower cladding, this example features shorter, European headlights and bumpers both front and rear. Exterior features include glass headlamps, a painted power sunroof, chrome window trim, and a power antenna. Paint imperfections are noted with specificity in the photo gallery and include clear coat failure, various scrapes, and light dings around the body. This example is noted to have no rust issues per the seller.
Period-correct 16” RIAL Leichtmetallfelgen Wheels are mounted and finished in silver paint with black contrast on the inside of the spokes. The wheels measure 16x8 at all four corners and wear aged winter tires. The tires will need to be replaced before driving.
The cabin is trimmed in Palomino Leather (274) across the seats, door cards, head rests, armrest, center console, and dashboard. matching carpets and floor mats remain with the car and walnut root wood veneer adorns the center console, door cards, and dashboard. Due to prolonged outdoor storage while parked, the interior shows considerable fading and UV damage throughout. The dashboard shows multiple cracks along with the veneer. Detailed photos of the cabin are included in the gallery. The original Becker head unit remains in place.
The black steering wheel frames a 160mph speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer featuring an analog clock, along with gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The six-digit odometer has been converted to miles and now shows 36k miles (TMU).
The 500SEC benefitted from a higher compression M117 V8 compared to the U.S. Market and was rated when new for 231 horsepower and 299 lb-ft of torque. As noted, this example was parked in 2008 at a workshop where it’s remained outside since. The seller reports the engine does turn over and run.
This 500SEC currently shows just 36k miles (TMU) and is being offered with one key and a clean Colorado title.
A video of the engine has been provided below.
If there’s a model we don’t see many of it’s the W126 500SEC. These Euro spec 500's were few and far between in the states and while this specific example is in dire need of a loving home, the blank canvas has never been more enticing. The painted lower cladding and wheels already help hint at the car’s potential but beyond the superficial, knowing the engine turns over is more than half the battle. We hope this will be bought up by someone who sees the same potential we see and maybe it’ll find its way back to The MB Market down the road.
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23 Comments
reserve not meet ?$8,000 bid placed by @Akhlunov
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$7,250 bid placed by @Amggango
$7,000 bid placed by @Akhlunov
$6,750 bid placed by @faufreluche
$6,500 bid placed by @Fenouz
$6,124 bid placed by @Westmontster
$5,874 bid placed by @faufreluche
$5,624 bid placed by @Westmontster
$5,374 bid placed by @faufreluche
$5,000 bid placed by @Akhlunov
$4,750 bid placed by @KennyJ
$4,500 bid placed by @Westmontster
$4,250 bid placed by @Cascadia2024
$4,000 bid placed by @faufreluche
$3,750 bid placed by @Akhlunov
@Fenouz You’re welcome ..Thanks for the additional pictures and representing the car so honestly. A skilled welder should be able to fix this without too much trouble.Additional photos have been added to the gallery.@Fenouz Hello ..Thanks for reaching out. I’m having someone take pictures of it, and they’ll be posted shortly.@louie1072 would it be possible to get a close up shot of the front of the bonnet. Want to get a sense if the front of the bonnet can be welded back together and painted over, or if a new one is preferable. Thanks in advance.$3,500 bid placed by @SmoothRoll78
@Stanthugo20 Hello .. At the bottom of the page there’s a “Message Seller” option to contact me.@Jasper_Stokes Thanks for the comment. The car sat for many years and is being presented honestly in its current condition as a project vehicle. Rather than spending time cosmetically cleaning or detailing it, it was photographed as-found so buyers can see exactly what they’re getting. It will definitely benefit from a thorough cleaning, and hopefully finds its way back on the road.@Louie1072 how can I contact you ?I’m interested with the carWhy was the vehicle photographed in this filthy condition? thanks and glwta@onebadrover Really appreciate the detailed questions and you taking the time to look it over. I’m pretty limited on time right now, so I won’t be able to do a full teardown or go through every item mentioned in detail. That said, I’ll do my best within the time I have to check what I can and add any useful photos or updates so everything stays as transparent as possible. Thanks again for the input — it’s definitely helpful and appreciated.$3,250 bid placed by @johnsonaa20
One of my all time favorite specs… The legendary 500 SEC… Beautiful!Rare gem!Too bad this has sat for so long. I recently took on a resto/refurb of a 1980 pre-merger w126. Parts are a beast to find. Ended up a little over $40k in mechanical repairs. Not saying this requires the same, but 18 years of neglect is not going to be kind to anything. The interior looks like it really got worked, can you pull up some of the front pad to see if there is any rot under there? How are the electrics, does the vent/fan work at all speeds? How about lights, interior and exterior? Dash dark at night? Sorry for the novel, thanks for the attention!!A video has been added to the listing.@janos_z The photos were taken by a professional photographer and have not been post-processed or enhanced in any way. They accurately represent the vehicle as it sits. And yes, I agree—I’d love to see the car back on the road as well.What an exciting project for the right person! I hope this car finds its way back to life. Have any of the photos been post-processed in any way?@slownrusty Thanks for the comments and observations — a lot of what you mentioned lines up with what I was told about the car’s history. From what the mechanic shop told me, the car was brought in many years ago because it needed a water pump. As I understand it, the original owner ultimately just sold the car to the mechanic shop rather than repairing it, and it ended up sitting there for many, many years afterward. I purchased it from the mechanic shop about a year ago in as-is condition. The Colorado weather definitely helped preserve the body overall from rust issues, but the sun and years of sitting did a number on the interior and parts of the exterior paint. In my opinion, the front and rear seats are probably still usable/restorable, but most of the remaining interior pieces will likely need refurbishment or replacement depending on the level of restoration someone wants to do. The paint also shows fading in areas from the sun exposure over the years and would likely need attention as part of a proper restoration. My original plan was to rebuild and restore the car myself because I’ve always loved these Euro SECs, but realistically I just don’t have the time or energy to take on the project properly. I also would not recommend starting or running the car until the water pump is replaced and the fuel system is gone through, as the fuel has been sitting in the tank for many years and should probably be flushed before attempting to run it.@ZAE55 Hello ….Will have a video posted shortly$2,500 bid placed by @Tewfiks
Interesting SEC, I would love to know the backstory, as it doesn't take 18-years to change a water pump. Being in CO means it has been preserved with the arid weather, but that interior has suffered. You know what you're getting from the photos, nothing hidden! You can also tell the car has received some level of paint work at some point in the past. I've saved quite a few of these 126s over the years, so will be watching and I love a good honest Euro SEC. @seller - Will it drive onto a trailer under its own power?Is there a video of it running?$500 bid placed by @BD450SL
sad 36K miles. damn$250 bid placed by @OriginalAndRare