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Two weeks ago, I was taking a stroll around Helsinki on what turned out to be a fine Saturday afternoon. While sitting outside a cafe, an automotive oddity passed by. A short wheelbase Mercedes-Benz W126 with a big engine, in this case the 500SE with its 5.0 liter V8. Here in the US, we received two V8 S-classes from 1986 through 1991, the 420SEL and 560SEL, both long-wheelbase models. Apparently the product planners at Mercedes-Benz didn’t think there was much of a market for a big Benz with a large engine but smaller backseat. I always enjoyed the proportions of the 300SE that we received, the short-wheelbase W126 with the venerable M103 inline-6. But who doesn’t like a little bit more juice? This 500SE for sale in The Netherlands in Nelken (Willow) Green over green leather is cresting 40,000 miles and is the perfect cure for someone who still pines for the good old days of Mercedes-Benz.
Have you ever fallen in love with a car instantly? Is it sometimes completely irrational? I am somewhat ashamed to admit I let out a low sigh accompanied by an “Oh, man!” when I first came across this 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SE. Perhaps my wife is too accustomed to me doing so, because she didn’t even direct her stare in my direction – instead simply saying “What now?” Expecting to see some exotic Ferrari or Lamborghini, it was instead a rather boring looking Mercedes-Benz. And it was green. Really, really green. She also emitted a low sigh, but coupled it instead with an “Ugh!” That, however, did not dissuade me. I continued to stare at this Euro-spec W126, thinking that all should have come in short wheel base configuration, in Willow Green, and with green cloth interiors:
