This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL was originally built at the Regensburg Branch in Germany for the European-market. The car was stretched and modified by Trasco in Bremen, Germany, with the company’s 1000SEL 100cm limousine conversion. Finished in dark blue over beige leather upholstery, power is provided by a 5.0L V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The custom rear cabin has a power-operated partition, a glass sunroof, wood cabinetry, two heated bench seats, a television, and a Pioneer stereo. Additional equipment includes original Euro-spec bumpers and lighting, cruise control, automatic climate control, heated front seats, a Blaupunkt stereo, and 16″ Centra wheels. Now showing 88k miles, this 500SEL limo is offered in Ohio with manufacturer’s literature, a tool kit, a clean Carfax report, and a clean New York title.
This W126 was stretched by approximately 100cm to complete its 1000SEL Limousine conversion by Trasco. Trasco began building vehicles in the 80's and is still known today as a leader in manufacturing of armored and stretched limousines, most commonly for Head of State and Royal Families. During the conversion, the body was finished in dark blue with extended chrome window trim. Additional features include original Euro-spec bumpers and headlights, headlight wipers, front and rear sunroofs, a folding rooftop antenna, tinted windows, and a boomerang-style TV antenna mounted on the rear decklid. The selling dealer notes that various cracks in the paint on the roof are visible under the clear from age.
Trasco optioned 16″ Centra alloy wheels wear lockable Mercedes-Benz-logo centers. The car rides on a mixed set of older Pirelli tires, and a full-size spare is secured in the trunk. Braking is handled by power-assisted four-wheel discs. The seller reports a front hydraulic suspension system was installed during the limousine conversion process. Imperfections in the finish on the wheels are shown in the gallery.
The heated and power-adjustable front seats are upholstered in beige leather along with a matching lower dashboard, center console, and door panels. Dark Burl wood trim accents the cabin and dash remains free from any cracks. Additional ameneties include a Blaupunkt cassette stereo, front-seat position memory, cruise control, automatic climate control, and carpeted floor mats.
The four-spoke steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer as well as an analog clock and gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and instant fuel economy. The six-digit odometer shows 88k miles, approximately 20 of which have been added by the selling dealer.
The rear cabin is outfitted with two heated bench seats upholstered in beige leather and is separated from the front compartment by a power-operated glass partition. Entertainment equipment includes a Sony Trinitron television housed in a recessed compartment in addition to a GoldStar VHS video player, a Pioneer stereo with a trunk-mounted CD changer, and Boston Acoustics speakers. The two benches are split by a table with a bottle well and cup holders, and an ice bucket is housed in the left console. Additional amenities include automatic climate control, and privacy blinds along with wood cabinetry and folding tray tables. A cellular phone handset is secured to the C-pillar inside the right door.
The Euro 5.0-liter M117 V8 features Bosch Jetronic fuel injection and was factory rated at 237 horsepower and 298 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The seller reports the batteries and fuel pump relay were replaced in 2020. Additional underside photos can be viewed in the gallery below.
Since the 80's, Trasco has been recognized as a leader among armored and limousine vehicles throughout the world. They've been contracted by many Head of State and Royal Families over the years, providing only the best among protection and luxury. This 500SEL is one of the earliest builds by the company. It's hard to imagine the cost to build such a machine in the 80's with all of the latest and greatest tech. These conversions were also commonly known as 1000SEL limo conversions and we can only hope someone has tracked down Trasco catalogs from the glory days. As a Euro-spec W126, this M117 is unrestricted and offers a tad more punch than it's U.S. counterparts. The fully custom interior is nice enough for an evening with friends and we'd love the opportunity to take up multiple spaces at Cars and Coffee with this limo. No matter what you're plans are for this W126, the chances of adding another Trasco conversion quite like this is highly unlikely.
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7 Comments
$20,000 bid placed by @jacheatel
$10,250 bid placed by @Ranger902
@Kcogliano Looking at it now, it was NOT this car, a different one.Welcome everyone to this lovely Trasco 1000SEL auction. This car belonged to Harry Helmsley who is rumored to have owned 25% of Manhattan at one time including the Empire State building. He and his wife Leona lived on the top two floors of the Park Lane Hotel Central Park South which they owned on . These limos got their name from a Saudi prince who upon delivery of his 500SEL Trasco limousine said it was twice as good as a 500SEL and asked Trasco to badge it a 1000SEL. From then on, Trasco referred to any of their modified w126 cars as 1000SEL’s. Queen Elizabeth and Moon Jae-In are some of Trasco’s notable clients (see Trasco’s website). A similar Trasco Limousine was used in a 1992 Jackie Chan movie; Twin Dragons. This car received the full treatment from Trasco complete with power division window. German restrictions are very strict related to modifiying cars. Trasco is one of the few companies that is able to do so. Most limousines you would see state-side are cars that have been cut in half with a center section welded in. The quality of conversions are much higher in Germany; highest in the world. This car has been in active storage for the last 20 years; evident by its ’95 and ’05 date code Pirelli tires with like new tread. Still retains its euro bumpers and headlights. You won’t see one like this again, so bid with confidence!@DrAMG No markings as this was one of Trasco's early builds, however the modifications being completed in Germany is evidenced by the B-pillar import tag which describes it as a limo. The interior work is all very high quality craftsmanship. I believe certain electronics may have been later added in USA. @Manskraft @Kcogliano Yes it went RNM ($22k) on the other site and we're giving it a go here.@Manskraft do you remember what it got bid to and didn’t sell?$10,000 bid placed by @Kcogliano
Ahh, it's back. Now here on The MB. Didn't take long :-)Seller, are there any markings, stamps, badges or paperwork that says this was a Trasco-built limo? Some of the interior workmanship leads me to believe it was done in the US.$5,555 bid placed by @Ranger902
$4,138 bid placed by @IYKYKGarage
$3,888 bid placed by @Ranger902
$2,000 bid placed by @jonnaim13
This is actually amazing. If only only I could justify a need for this.....$500 bid placed by @Bankrep40