This 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC was sold new at Hammersley Motor Inc in Lynchburg, VA and shows just 48k miles with ownership exclusively in the Southwestern Virginia area since new. Finished in Champagne Metallic (473) over Brazil Leather (273), power is provided by a 5.5-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes automatic climate control, a power sliding sunroof, heated front seats with power adjustment and memory, cruise control and an adjustable power steering column. Recent maintenance includes an oil & filter change, new drive belts, battery, rear suspension accumulators, flush & bleed of hydraulic system, a rebuilt Becker radio, and more. This 560SEC is now offered for sale by the selling dealer in Roanoke, Virginia with one primary key, one valet key, the original tool kit, original manufacturer’s literature, a clean Carfax report and a clean Virginia title.
The exterior is finished in Champagne Metallic (473) with contrasting brown lower body cladding. Chrome trim is found along the beltline and around the windows as well as both front and rear bumpers. Exterior equipment includes headlight wiper/washers, a heated rear window, front fog lamps and a power sliding sunroof. The glass is all original with no signs of delamination on the rear glass. The seller notes minor paint imperfections on the hood and trunk lid which are noted in the gallery. All paint is believed to be original and paint meter readings are viewable in the gallery.
Silver-finished 15” Gullideckel wheels wear Michelin Energy tires measuring 205/65 on all four corners with 2001 date codes. The 560SEC features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes along with a self-leveling rear suspension system. The selling dealer installed new rear suspension accumulators and performed a full flush & bleed of the hydraulic system for the self-leveling rear suspension. A spare tire and tool kit are included in the trunk.
The cabin is trimmed in Brazil Leather (273) and features Burl Walnut wood trim which can be found on the center console, dashboard and door panels. The front seats are heated and power adjustable with two-position memory. Interior features include automatic climate control, cruise control, a power telescoping steering column and a factory Becker radio which has been recently rebuilt by Becker. New gears for the driverside seatbelt retractor were recently installed and all electronics, including the heat and air conditioning, are in proper working order.
The leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel fronts a 160-mph speedometer along with a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, fuel economy, coolant temperature and oil pressure. The six-digit odometer currently reads just over 48k miles. A row of warning lights sits below with a digital outside temperature indicator mounted in the center.
This pillarless coupe is powered by a 5.5-liter M117 V8 which is factory rated at 238 horsepower and 287 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Recent maintenance includes an oil & filter change, new drive belts, a new battery, new rear suspension accumulators, a flush & bleed of hydraulic system, a rebuilt Becker radio, and more. Underbody photos are viewable in the gallery below.
The Carfax report shows linear mileage updates starting in December 1987 with no accidents or damage reports. This 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC is now offered with two keys, the original tool kit, original manufacturer’s literature, a spare tire, a clean Carfax report and a clean Virginia title.
A walk around and interior view of the car can be seen in the video below.
The 560SEC is a design icon of its time and represented a culture of excess that fed on the nicest luxury cars that money could buy. Coming from the golden era of Bruno Sacco design, the C126 features monolithic styling including a strong shoulder line, imposing front-end and the classic pillarless greenhouse. The tank-like doors provide entry to a cabin whose fit and finish is unrivaled and features the finest in leather and wood trim. Almost nothing in the car is manually operated and everything that can be controlled by the touch of a button. The 560SEC truly embodied the pinnacle of luxury in its time and continues to deliver that experience many years on. This example comes in a tastefully 80's color combination not often found and shows a mere 48k miles from new. We had the opportunity to see this car in person and it did not disappoint. The car remains largely all original and is a truly well-preserved survivor that's destined for another 35 years of cruising in style.
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17 Comments
Congrats
Nice buy!
$20,000 bid placed by @Briklynd
$19,750 bid placed by @Trakcar
$19,500 bid placed by @Benzhill
$19,250 bid placed by @Trakcar
$19,000 bid placed by @Benzhill
$18,750 bid placed by @CBrissom
@Briklynd Yes, all electronics function as they should! Including the heat and ice cold AC. Thanks!
$18,500 bid placed by @Benzhill
Do all windows, seats, locks, mirrors and buttons function as they should?
$18,250 bid placed by @126boss
$18,000 bid placed by @Benzhill
$17,000 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
$16,750 bid placed by @126boss
$16,500 bid placed by @CBrissom
$16,250 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
$16,000 bid placed by @CBrissom
$15,750 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
Impressive! Looks well-kept. An amazing value at current bid levels. Plenty of life left in this one.
$15,500 bid placed by @CBrissom
$15,250 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
@Vlad600sel The fuel level gauge is 100% operable, just low on gas at the moment. Thank you
$15,000 bid placed by @M1174v
Beautiful ar Does the fuel level work or no gas in it?
For anyone interested in this car, I can attest to the originality and quality of this example. Not only did I have the pleasure of taking photos of the car for the listing, but I also drove the car and it's remarkably smooth and solid. I've taken many of my cars over the years to the seller for servicing because they're honest, knowledgeable, and do high quality work. Bid with confidence on this 560SEC!
$13,250 bid placed by @Avr1967
@galshkaki The seat belt extenders work and I replaced the gears within the last 2 months.
@BryMac Hey, I was able to get a cold start video today which is now viewable. There's no issues at all with fuel injection system and it runs and drives extremely smooth. There's no record of the timing chain tensioner guide being replaced but there's no play at all in the chain at start up. The tires are old so I would recommend replacement before regular use. I have not done anything to the brakes under my care since they operate without issue. There's absolutely no rust or bubbling anywhere on the car. It's very clean and dry including underneath. Thank you!
A cold start video has been added to the listing.
$13,000 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
$11,000 bid placed by @M1174v
$10,250 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
Seat belt for extenders ?
Any plans to post a cold start video? Has the timing chain tensioner guide been replaced? And issues with the fuel injection? (Running rich or rough idling?). I assume with 20+ year old tires they'll need addressing, but have the brake system been worked on recently? Pads, disks, lines? I don't see any rust in the pics but are there any signs of rust bubbling? A cold start video would be very helpful. Looks like a decent example. Thank you in advance.
$10,000 bid placed by @Jthompson
@HurstT Hey, the Becker head unit was rebuilt by Becker but is not bluetooth compatible. Thanks!
$9,500 bid placed by @jgcars1453
$9,250 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
Love the pillarless coupes...and, this one is gorgeous. As former 250c owner, some 50 years ago, I've always aspired to graduate to the C126 model. Does the Becker update render it Bluetooth compatible? GLWTA.
$9,000 bid placed by @Colegraff
$8,250 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
$8,000 bid placed by @Colegraff
$7,060 bid placed by @ojt2
$6,810 bid placed by @Colegraff
$6,560 bid placed by @Jthompson
$5,850 bid placed by @Ilikebenz
$5,600 bid placed by @Travelhappy
Really impressive car- the one to have if you want a 126 coupe. Which are very desirable cars.
Beautiful 560SEC. I may visit Roanoke before this auction ends to see a friend so perhaps may have a chance to see this beauty in person. Good luck with the auction!