This 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody was built at the Kassel Branch in Germany before it was modified by then-independent tuner AMG Germany. The car spent time in Europe, Japan, and New Zealand, before being imported to the United States in 2023. It was acquired by the current owner via The MB Market in 2022. This Widebody is 1 of 25 examples and finished in desirable Black Pearl Metallic (199) over Grey (278) leather and features an authentic Gen 1 AMG widebody kit including fenders, bumpers, skirts, body molding, and spoiler. Power comes from an AMG modified 5.4L M117 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with LSD (Limited-Slip Differential). Equipment includes fog lights, a sunroof, an Alpine head unit, automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated front seats, and more. Fresh service records accompany the car from 2024 and include new spark plugs, a new air filter, new valve cover gaskets, a new fuel filter, and various general maintenance items. The odometer shows 91k kilometers (~56k miles). This AMG widebody is now offered for sale in Costa Mesa, California with ownership records, service records since 2008, 2 keys, the original tool roll, and a clean Montana title.
The body is finished in Black Pearl Metallic (199) with color-matched lower cladding, bumpers, and painted chrome as part of the AMG treatment. This pillarless coupe also features fog lights, headlight washers, and a sunroof with tilt function. The car features original Euro headlights and full Euro Gen 1 AMG widebody kit. The full widebody conversion consists of stamped AMG lightweight fiberglass widebody fenders, extended side skirts, lower cladding, both bumpers, and a lip spoiler. A metal era-correct AMG and 5.4 badge are affixed to the trunk lid. The seller notes the sunroof opens partially and will require a new cable & clamp A1267801789. The car has had paintwork as a result of a minor accident in early 2012 to the rear of the car. The impact was centered on the number plate area which was pushed in about 100 mm and the rear of the car was professionally repaired. An original Hans Werner Aufrecht AMG security sticker is still affixed to the back window and all glass remains original.
Original 16” AMG Penta wheels measuring 9” wide in the front and 10” wide in the rear are installed with AMG center caps. The wheels are wrapped in Firestone 225/55 tires in the front and Bridgestone 255/50 tires in the rear. Standard equipment included four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and rear self-leveling suspension.
The cabin features Grey (278) leather seating surfaces along with matching carpets, door panels, and original carpet floor mats pictured in the gallery. Amenities include heated power-adjustable front seats, dual-tone horn, automatic climate control, an Alpine head unit, and burl wood trim accenting the dashboard, center console, and doors. The wood veneer shows some cracks and a wood shift knob is installed along with a leather-wrapped AMG steering wheel.
The leather-wrapped AMG steering wheel frames a 300-kph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer with an inset analog clock, and a combination gauge for coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and fuel economy. The six-digit odometer shows 91k kilometers (~56k miles). The original AMG gauges feature light grey faces with black dials.
The 5.4 M117 offering from AMG was the largest engine available at the time and predated the later 6.0 version beginning in 1986. The AMG 5.4 engines were offered in various stages of performance depending on your budget, with AMG sale documentation at the time stating 310 bhp, 0–60 in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. This 500SEC AMG features a bored SOHC 5.4-liter MIl7 with performance head work, camshafts, extractors, dual air inlet and tuning putting it on the higher end of the performance 5.4 offerings. An acceleration chart pictured in the gallery shows the car still matches the AMG pre-merger performance figures. Additional photos provided show AMG engravings on the engine block and camshafts. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission with LSD (Limited-Slip Differential). Previous underbody photos show the 2.24 stamped rear end with LSD along with white AMG springs and AMG-labeled Bilstein shocks.
The previous owner had the car verified in 2017 by Diamler AG via the Mercedes-Benz / AMG registry. This AMG widebody is now offered for sale in Costa Mesa, California with ownership records, service records since 2008, 2 keys, the original tool roll, and a clean Montana title.
The MB Market is proud to offer an incredible opportunity to acquire this authentic C126 AMG Widebody for a second time! At the time the car was built, AMG was still an independent tuning company separate from Mercedes-Benz. This particular car was built by AMG Germany during an era when “The only limitation on what could be done to your Mercedes-Benz was the size of your bank account”. Cosmetically, there were endless available modifications from interior bits to exterior body kits and wheels. Additionally, AMG offered a wealth of performance upgrades and at the top of the food chain was the 5.4 M117. While many people have become aware of the provenance of the more common 6.0 versions, not many know that in 1984 and 1985 the premier offering from AMG was actually the 5.4. The 6.0 officially debuted in 1986 which makes any 5.4 car significantly more rare. According to sources who worked with AMG Germany and North America in the 80’s, an estimated 25 cars were built with the 5.4 engine and of those, nearly all of them were DOHC. While the DOHC did offer a few more horses, the trade off was reliability and longevity. From a standpoint of maintenance and reliability, the SOHC versions such as this were easily the winners. In fact, many of the DOHC cars were converted back throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s for this reason. In short, the SOHC 5.4 is the ideal AMG-worked engine of them all with an estimated 25 made in total and this one is the real deal. Only one other example has come to market publicly in recent years so uncovering another will be nearly impossible. Whether you’re looking for a genuine piece of AMG history for your collection or prefer to drive your investments, this C126 5.4 AMG Widebody is sure to give you one hell of a return on investment.
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2 Comments
My chance of a winning bid at 250.00 for a 500sec widebody = 1 in 865,000 :)$250 bid placed by @RIAMG
wanna to see under and muffler pictures thanks!