While 1990 ushered in a new SL roadster, the S-class sedan and SEC coupe would hang on for another two years before their replacements arrived. Considering all generations of S-class over the last 40 years, the W126/C126 is perhaps one of the most timeless. As with every new generation of Mercedes-Benz, new technologies became available and integrated bumpers eliminated the bad proportions which we saw during the crash bumper era of the 1970s. Toward the end, these cars were still a formidable opponent in the luxury class war, standing up in performance and luxury even against some new competition from Japan. This 560SEC for sale in California looks smart in black over palomino livery and has covered less than 80,000 miles in its lifetime.
Category: Mercedes Benz
I tend to think of Mercedes-Benz’s W123 and W124 as stately, comfortable luxobarges that will run forever but aren’t particularly special. Looking into this 300TD Turbo, those assumptions seem needlessly oversimplified. Did you know that when it came out, the W124 wagon had the lowest drag coefficient of any production car at the time? Neither did I. It also had the 80s double-edged sword of self-leveling suspension, notoriously present in the E28 M5 but almost always replaced in that application. It sounds like the Mercedes version is a little more stout, and this car’s SLS is functioning with zero leaks.
A slippery shell and Benz’s storied 3.0-liter turbodiesel (an engine that could easily outlive a human) combine for decent fuel economy, while the longroof provides great storage and – surprise! – two more seats. Video of two police dumbfounded by a Tesla’s rear-facing trunk seats recently went viral, but these awesome jump seats were popularized in the 80s by Volvo and Mercedes after being a phenomenon in 60s American wagons. The best part of the Benz’s sixth and seventh seats is they fold flat into the floor, giving leg room for the seats or a normal wagon floor when stowed. No SUV or awkward crossover necessary! With 122k miles and all electrical bits working (for now), this is a classy family-style ride. Paul featured this car back in August of this year when it sold for $12,500. Let’s see where this eighties estate winds up this time around.
Click for details: 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300TD on eBay
2 CommentsYesterday I pulled up behind a lightly modded 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC in my Audi Coupe. It was interesting, having them parked together and considering that they were produced only 1 year apart, yet the target audience for each was so vastly different. The Audi, steeped in modernity and full of angles, appeared short and lithe next to the Leviathan Mercedes. It was the last of the 1970s dinosaurs that somehow was still roaming the earth in the early 1990s, shouting and stomping around the land that time forgot. Yet there’s an inherent appeal in these cars too; beyond build quality and luxury, even beyond the fluid design of the pillarless coupe. There’s just something that is right about the C126, and pop some period AMG bits on and roll it in the period drug of choice, all that is missing is the Miami Vice soundtrack and some rolled up white sport coat sleeves:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG on eBay
Comments closedThe W140 S-class was a huge step forward, even for a company known for innovation like Mercedes-Benz. Here was a luxury sedan like none other, chock full with all the latest technology at the outset of the 1990s, even offering a brand new V12 engine for those seriously power hungry customers. Its large size drew the ire of some, especially as it debuted in the midst of a global recession. Nevertheless, this car would soldier on throughout the 1990s, being the face of executive transport and embassies everywhere. This 1993 500SEL for sale in Florida is in amazing condition, with just over 78,000 miles on the clock. Even budgeting in money for the inevitable maintenance, this is a lot of car for the money.
Click for details: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL on eBay
Comments closedSuch is the pedestal AMG products are placed upon, perhaps it’s only Ruf that is better regarded as the leading tuning firm from Germany in the 1980s. Combining revised suspension, special exhaust and warmed over motors, AMG managed to straddle the line between outrageous and tasteful in the 1980s perfectly with wild body modifications that somehow worked just perfectly. Inside, they were the most opulent German cars you could buy with power seats and all the luxury items you’d expect from a top-tier luxury manufacturers. But the bad boys from Affalterbach, like the Ruf cars, managed to be more than the sum of their parts – a total package that is still stunning today. They didn’t just bolt on a bunch of bits to make a go-faster car. AMG redefined the packages of the car, bringing them to another level. Today we have two examples to consider from the end of AMG’s independence – which is the perfect creation from the 1980s for you?








