This Euro-Spec 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC was ordered new for the Spanish market and was exported to the United States in 1987. It was acquired by the seller from the original importing family in 2018. Since importation, the car has remained registered and driven in Texas. The SEC is finished in Nautical Blue Metallic (929) over Blue Velour (972), and power is provided by a 5.0-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes original gullideckel wheels, automatic climate control, a power sunroof, front heated seats, JVC head unit, and cruise control. Recent service in 2024 includes a new battery, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, fuel pump, EHA valve, an oil service, and full dry ice detail of the undercarriage. Prior service included a transmission rebuild in 2023, replacement of AC control unit and AC recharge in 2022, a new headliner in 2020. This Euro C126 shows 66k miles and is now offered by the seller with the original tool roll, original spare steering wheel and radio, spare wood shift knob, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Texas title.
The car is finished in Nautical Blue Metallic (929) with grey lower cladding. Exterior features include European glass headlamps, European bumpers, lower fog lamps, a sunroof, and original glass. The seller notes the body and chassis to be rust-free and the electric antenna is inoperative.
Factory gullideckel wheels are fitted with Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires measuring 205/65 on all four wheels. Braking is handled by disc brakes at all four corners. A full-size spare is located under the trunk floor along with the original tool roll.
The cabin is finished in Blue Velour (972) and features original Burl Walnut trim on the center console, dash, and doors. A spare wood shift knob will be included by the seller along with the original steering wheel and radio. Interior features include power windows, automatic climate control, courtesy lamps, heated power front seats, cruise control, a Nardi steering wheel, and JVC head unit. The seller notes small hairline cracks around the vents on the dash and the wood veneer shows some aging cracks and fading. The top of the rear seats show some wear and a new headliner was fitted in 2020.
A Nardi steering wheel with a wood rim frames a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer with an inset analog clock, and a combination gauge for coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and instant fuel economy. The six-digit odometer shows 66k miles.
The 5.0-liter M117 V8 is equipped with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection and was rated at 228 horsepower and 299 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Recent service in 2024 includes a new battery, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, fuel pump, EHA valve, an oil service, and full dry ice detail of the undercarriage. Prior service included a transmission rebuild in 2023, replacement of AC control unit and AC recharge in 2022. The undercarraige was recently dry ice detailed and photos are available in the gallery.
The included Carfax report shows first entry 2001 with no accidents or damage and registration history exclusively in Texas. Now with 66k miles, this Euro C126 is offered with the original tool roll, original spare steering wheel and radio, spare wood shift knob, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Texas title.
A cold start, walk around, and driving footage is viewable below.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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31 Comments
I wonder what the reserve was -- $22k seems like really strong money for this. Love the interior.$22,000 bid placed by @SondoV
$21,250 bid placed by @Dailygrind
$21,000 bid placed by @SondoV
$20,249 bid placed by @Dailygrind
$19,999 bid placed by @SondoV
$19,250 bid placed by @DrewL
$18,750 bid placed by @Dailygrind
$18,500 bid placed by @SondoV
$18,250 bid placed by @Dailygrind
$18,000 bid placed by @SondoV
$17,225 bid placed by @Benzman
$16,975 bid placed by @TheDrivenMan
$16,250 bid placed by @Benzman
$16,000 bid placed by @SondoV
$14,750 bid placed by @Dailygrind
This appears to be a very nice example. I'm sure it will bring at least $20K if not more.$14,500 bid placed by @DrewL
@Schneller - thank you kindly! You nailed it perfectly with your words!! I personally love the Nardi wheel. I was going to initially swap it out but after using it, I love the feel of it, as well as the size. It compliments the car quite well. The SECs are addictive. I have a very low mile 91 560SEC as well as an SEL that will continue to keep me company.What a fabulous car! I hope this will do well today. If I didn't already have two SECs... (here come the excuses...don't have garage space, my wife won't allow it, etc.). Nardi wheel is a plus. If one doesn't like it, just swap it. Five word characterization: Euro, Nautical, Velour, Mileage, Condition.@slownrusty - thank you for your enthusiasm! I hope so too - this is a very rare and beautiful car in a spectacular Blue that is timeless. And look at those Euro bumpers - the chef's kiss! We might go another 5 years without seeing another Gen 2 500SEC pop up. I love these Gen 2s and if you look at my history, I sold an 89 260SE that I used as my daily for years. These are, in my opinion, the best of the W126 crop as Mercedes achieved near perfection. Because I added some rare Mercedes wagons to the collection (pre-merger E36 AMG and C43 wagon), I have to sadly make some room. Good luck in the final hours and please reach out with any questions. I am happy to assist with shipping and will hold the car for a reasonable period.Best of luck today. I hope we see some solid bids! C'mon would you rather spend your tax return on some landscaping for the front of the house or this beaut?$14,000 bid placed by @txmbnut
$13,750 bid placed by @samdavis
@blauhaus - the path of least resistance would be Montana registration.you wont be able to , but that is not a reason to not buy itDoes anyone know if it would be an issue to register the car in CA? thx.$13,500 bid placed by @DrewL
@BryMac - that sounds amazing and very rare. Agree, the interior is always a great conversation starter!I recently bought a '85 420SEC with velour interior. Super rare for the USA market. Every Car's and Coffee / Car show I have taken mine to , the conversation goes straight to the velour interior and how cool / rare it is. I find the seats comfortable, but the rear package shelf area of the seats is a very fragile area due to the sun on the upholstery.@StuttgartClassix - Thank you! @Alt767Gelt - We are in Southampton so must be neighbors! I too will always have W126s - I still have 2 560s to keep me company. And if your car is at Gus's, tell him I said hello! Now that I think about it, I have to pick up my G320 Cabrio from him!Beautiful car! What a great bonus that the Becker and original steering wheel come with the car. I recognize that street. I live a block away from where these pics were taken. Love the 126 coupes and was in the market a few years ago when I purchased the 500 sedan on this site instead. Like several of you, I've always had a 126 in my possession and always will. Haven't driven my 126 sedan in three months. Need to go get it from storage soon!they all crack... is what it is... not necessarily climate related. It shouldnt take away from the value of the carA walk around video and picture of the dash has been added to the listing.@Ankawasi - a pic was sent to MBmarket and will be uploaded shortly. Thanks and you are right about the blues!@Seller: photos of the dashboard please. It is blue and they crack - more than other colours, I see one on the binnacle hump but are there more? Thanks.$12,500 bid placed by @Benzman
@slownrusty - thank you kindly. It is great having a community of enthusiasts such as yourself to enjoy this passion with. Your depth of knowledge is always appreciated! I took this to a cars and coffee today and parked by a 560SEC, also owned by a friend, and they were of course well received. These are great cars, possibly one of the greatest automotive cars of our generation. Although I love Porsches and BMWs and own a few of them as well, I have always had a W126 as far as I can remember and always will. The quality and workmanship that went into these is truly evident as years pass by and these still look, feel and drive so good. Finding another one like this with the perfect Euro bumpers and stunning color scheme will be a near impossible feat. Good luck to all bidders. And thanks for the recent bids @samdavis @570TE @DrewLSuch a rare rare car for the US.. It's like going through your entire life content with your everyday - everyday ins and outs and then one day you wake up only to discover you just bought the winning lottery ticket. That how I feel about ANY Gen 2 Euro SEC in the U.S For us Americans this is a treat, when these cars were new, MB USA were on a massive roll putting these private imports and importers under the meat cleaver. One a few got through like Indiana Jones sliding under the closing stone door, but even fewer had this spec with the cloth interior and color combo. Lots to love on this car, I have actually seen it in the metal and can vouch for the condition and fastidious ownership under @hobbsm3. With his cars, whatever they need, they get...regardless of cost and effort. No surprises, no agendas....period. With 300 torque and a more aggressive rear end ratio, these cars would run to 60-mp/h in less than 8-seconds and were about 2-seconds faster than their less athletic US Spec brothers for the same sprint. I have a Euro Gen 1 500SEC with 265 rear tires and it has no problem punishing them. Coming back to the interior, that is one of the crown jewels (or Easter Eggs) on this car, it is lovely and makes you feel like you are driving something very special. It's a nice break from all the leather you typically see. To be honest, if my plate wasn't full with 3x126s currently and host of other cars, I would own it. In fact, the car would not have made it to MB Marketplace. My love for the 126 stems back to the first day they went into production back in 1980 when I was living in London UK and frequent trips to Europe in the early to mid '80s. My family has owned 126s since they were new then and I bleed 20W50. There is not a lot of dialogue on MB Market (unfortunately), so I thought I'll add my 2-cents and get the commentary rolling a bit. Hope to see some solid bids on this car, it is very deserving based on its rarity, what it is and how special it is.@570TE - Yes, that is correct. And do you have a monster 570 TE?$12,250 bid placed by @samdavis
$12,000 bid placed by @570TE
@Seller, so if you're saying the current odometer was updated to the equivalent mileage when the km odometer was replaced, then you're saying you're planning to sign off the title a "true total miles?"$10,000 bid placed by @DrewL
$6,650 bid placed by @GussyPreston6618
Additional photos have been added to the gallery.@TheAMGKit The car does have KE and we've updated the listing, thanks!@blauhaus - those pics will be uploaded. @TheAMGKit - thanks! And yes it has the KE Jet as we recently replaced the EHA. I will try to get a better header pic.mbmarket guys, this car is a gen 2 right so it has KE jet not K. Please confirm. KE jet cars have eha as you noted. K cars dont. seller can we get a better picture of the headers@hobbsm3 could you please post pictures of the original steering wheel and radio that are included in this auction? Thanks.all that work done and the rear badging is still misplaced. Pet peeve. Lovely car otherwise. Im sure i could use a third nautical 500Hey all, welcome to my Gen 2 500SEC auction. I purchased the car in Jan 2018 from a broker who had sold it on behalf of the family that originally imported the car. The car was imported and federalized by Mario’s Motors in Houston TX, who did many imports back in the 80s. They went out of business in late 80s/early 90s when the market for gray imports dried up. The speedometer was changed out to miles from km and converted to the mileage it was at the time of import in 87. I checked the paperwork I received with the car, which confirmed it. Well after a move 2 years ago, I inadvertently misplaced the paperwork I received with the car, which is a bummer. But I will continue to look for it. Appreciate the bids @MR90405 @oliverbeckmann@MDPensfan Thanks, since the CarFax starts in 2001, I am assuming that is when it might have been imported. Are any of the import rules dropped when the car becomes 15 years old which it would have been in 2001. Perhaps the seller @seller can clarify the importation?@OldMB If it was imported in 1987, then I believe it would have been prior to the NHTSA importation law.$6,250 bid placed by @oliverbeckmann
$6,000 bid placed by @MR90405
$3,000 bid placed by @oliverbeckmann
Does anyone know what modifications would have been done to this vintage car when it was imported and had to meet US regs? Does the seller have the original metric speedometer/odometer?