Bid for your chance to own this 1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL only on The MB Market. Finished in Black over Light Brown Velour (934) and powered by a 5.0-liter V8, this W126 features extensive period modifications with just 24k miles shown from new.
Boostin bid $10,252
Boostin bid $1,250
Boostin bid $1,000
Boostin bid $850
Boostin said:
@djw911it has not been tested but I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t pass.
@Alphadeltahonestly the motor runs very well - smooth idle and when cruising. Same for the transmission - shifts through the gears as it should both up and down. There is no smoke on startup or when running but I’ll see what I can do in terms of video for that. There is a small oil leak that can be seen in the pictures but I would have to get it back in the air and further inspect to tell you more precisely where it is coming from. I have a driving video that I will get uploaded.
I just looked at my other 500SEL (that does have AMG logs and solid lifters) with 100K miles and there is a very visible difference in internal cleanliness between the two motors. I'm happy to post pics for reference if someone would like, just let me know.
@BlueridgeMB @Porschephile unfortunately there are no clips present on this one but the motor top end looks to be quite clean based on what can be seen through the oil filler. I'll upload pictures shortly.
@karlkaczmarczyk sure, take a look at the documentation in the photos, the condition of the pedals, the wood, the rest of the interior and the motor internals which I'll post pictures of shortly. The driver's seat is not easy to get in and out of and the material is not terribly durable to begin with let alone its 42 years old at this point. But regardless, you're free to make your own assessment.
@BlueridgeMB I would be happy to take those pictures when I get home this evening. Didn’t even think about the likely tell of solid lifters with clips. As for the chain, tensioners, rails, I do not believe they have been done. I will go through the receipts but the car wasn’t driven frequently since the original owner moved it to Florida so I doubt he did them. And I have not.
@Porschephilethe candid answer is I do not know. It had the AMG badge when imported but I suspect if anything it would be shocks / springs and differential. I’ll pull a wheel and see if I can see any part numbers or otherwise. And then refresh on how to identify the diffs. I will also take the pictures that BlueridgeMB requested.
@kokolomoushthanks. While the black looks great, I’m with you on the brown. I think I might prefer it with the Rial centers color matched or mesh BBS with gold centers.
Good morning everyone and welcome to my auction. I'm happy to answer questions and take any additional photos or videos that are requested. I can also be available to show the car and will assist with PPIs within a reasonable distance. I am going to be sad to see this car go but as I posted in the comment below, life has other plans at the moment. This is a great example that runs and drives beautifully. I can't comment on any motor work that was completed but it gets up and goes. It shifts through the gears as expected and has a firm yet comfortable ride and handles very well for being as large as it it. While there are a few items to be addressed as noted in the listing to make it perfect, they should be relatively easy and I just haven't had the time. The AC blows cold, all windows work, the sunroof is operational though I've only used it once in fear of a failure while open, and even the Recaro seats operate under power.
@KeymasterofGozerthanks! I wasn't planning on this one leaving my collection but life has other plans.
Beautiful example and tastefully modified! A few questions - when you found the car, were the AMG parts already on the car or did you add them? If they were on the car, do they have AMG stamps and if so, can you please post pictures of each? Do you have any historical documentation on the car such as the federalization book with pictures or any purchase orders from the dealer or AMG? Do you know what ratio the diff is? Thanks
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1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@djw911it has not been tested but I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t pass.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@Alphadeltahonestly the motor runs very well - smooth idle and when cruising. Same for the transmission - shifts through the gears as it should both up and down. There is no smoke on startup or when running but I’ll see what I can do in terms of video for that. There is a small oil leak that can be seen in the pictures but I would have to get it back in the air and further inspect to tell you more precisely where it is coming from. I have a driving video that I will get uploaded.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
I just looked at my other 500SEL (that does have AMG logs and solid lifters) with 100K miles and there is a very visible difference in internal cleanliness between the two motors. I'm happy to post pics for reference if someone would like, just let me know.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@BlueridgeMB @Porschephile unfortunately there are no clips present on this one but the motor top end looks to be quite clean based on what can be seen through the oil filler. I'll upload pictures shortly.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@karlkaczmarczyk sure, take a look at the documentation in the photos, the condition of the pedals, the wood, the rest of the interior and the motor internals which I'll post pictures of shortly. The driver's seat is not easy to get in and out of and the material is not terribly durable to begin with let alone its 42 years old at this point. But regardless, you're free to make your own assessment.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@BlueridgeMB I would be happy to take those pictures when I get home this evening. Didn’t even think about the likely tell of solid lifters with clips. As for the chain, tensioners, rails, I do not believe they have been done. I will go through the receipts but the car wasn’t driven frequently since the original owner moved it to Florida so I doubt he did them. And I have not.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@Porschephilethe candid answer is I do not know. It had the AMG badge when imported but I suspect if anything it would be shocks / springs and differential. I’ll pull a wheel and see if I can see any part numbers or otherwise. And then refresh on how to identify the diffs. I will also take the pictures that BlueridgeMB requested.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@kokolomoushthanks. While the black looks great, I’m with you on the brown. I think I might prefer it with the Rial centers color matched or mesh BBS with gold centers.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
Good morning everyone and welcome to my auction. I'm happy to answer questions and take any additional photos or videos that are requested. I can also be available to show the car and will assist with PPIs within a reasonable distance. I am going to be sad to see this car go but as I posted in the comment below, life has other plans at the moment. This is a great example that runs and drives beautifully. I can't comment on any motor work that was completed but it gets up and goes. It shifts through the gears as expected and has a firm yet comfortable ride and handles very well for being as large as it it. While there are a few items to be addressed as noted in the listing to make it perfect, they should be relatively easy and I just haven't had the time. The AC blows cold, all windows work, the sunroof is operational though I've only used it once in fear of a failure while open, and even the Recaro seats operate under power.1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL w/24K Miles
Boostin said:
@KeymasterofGozerthanks! I wasn't planning on this one leaving my collection but life has other plans.1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG
Boostin said:
Beautiful example and tastefully modified! A few questions - when you found the car, were the AMG parts already on the car or did you add them? If they were on the car, do they have AMG stamps and if so, can you please post pictures of each? Do you have any historical documentation on the car such as the federalization book with pictures or any purchase orders from the dealer or AMG? Do you know what ratio the diff is? Thanks