Bid for your chance to own this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody on The MB Market. Finished in Black Pearl Metallic over Grey Leather, this authentic AMG was built by AMG Germany and features a 5.4L M117 V8 and shows 91k kilometers (~56k miles) from new.
kvrs said:
Thanks everyone for your bids and comments Wilsonn1974 has a great car
Thanks guys for your bibs. When I saw those hand engraved cam's it was like seeing a signature on a famous artwork. Very exclusive AMG Artwork1
I wanted to take this opportunity when all eyes are on my very special 5.4 WB to thank Blakley and crew. If you have a merc or AMG, the MBmarket crew will look after you like no other. They live and breathe these cars and will represent your car very well. Just read and enjoy the backstories on Blakley and his AMG collection in mags and youtube videos. Keep in touch with the Merc/AMG market pulse by plugging into the MBmarket via their enews, facebook or insta You may find your dream car, or one day decide to sell. Best regards S
Hi Guys Just a note for newbie bidders on theMBMarket Any new bidder just be aware to double check the following (A summary of the MBmarket FAQ on bidding): -All bidders must add a valid credit card on file (account) in order to be able to bid -bidders are encouraged not to wait until the final minutes to make sure bids can go through This ensures your account works for bidding. Possible problems could be the credit card issuer thinks it might be fraud or something on their profile doesn’t match with the card issuer info. all the best with bidding.
Big thanks to @Focused @Fatboi @Mrbenz @NYCdriver Certainly a very limited slice of AMG pre merger excellence to bib on, that will give enjoyment and be an investment.
@benzgarden Thanks benzgarden Interesting discussion especially the “AMG” “400” badges car. Cubic inch for the USA market? Seems you may have one of the first 560 block 6 ltr produced in your SEL, well done. Have they stamped the engine with 6.0? The value covers a giveaway for the DOHC. Since getting the AMG bug 10 years ago I've been following the widebody SEC market in the public domain auctions. Numbers of SEC WB sold by year: 1984 1x 5.4 ltr 1985 1x 5 ltr, 1x 5.4 this car 1986 3x 6 ltr 1987 1x 6 ltr 1988 1x 6 ltr 1989 7x 6 ltr 1990 4x 6 ltr 1991 1x 6 ltr 19 cars auctioned in 10 years. (tracked by vin number) A similar number to classic.com tracking. But a long way off the 25 x 5.4’s and 60 x 6ltrs built. How many still exist? Observations: WDB1260451A436448 a Japan example was sold twice over that period. 2016 RM's @ Arizona and then again Jan 2021 RM's @ Arizona. 5ltr & 5.4's are the 500 engine blocks, 6ltr the later 560 block. 6ltrs a mix of Germany, USA and Japan built. The 5 & 5.4 ltr auctions didn't say if they were steel or the light weight glass widebody. (or 6ltrs) The 84 5.4 at some stage changed the period AMG pentas to the later 3 pieces wheels (tire availability at the time or looks?) One of the 6ltr cars, after auction was challenge if authentic. Then there is the private market where AMG's never see the auction hammer and trade between collectors, agents or AMG experts servicing them. Anyone to own a WB, Hammer, AMG upgrade or EVO (post merger) are very lucky. To have 1 of 500 is marketed as “rare” or a “unicorn” these days. One of 12 Hammers, 1 of 25 5.4 WB’s, 1 of 60 6ltr WB’s, Sleeper 6ltrs? What do we call pre merger AMG?
@48hp @TheAMGKit Thanks for your question TheAMGKit. Few know the inner workings of the pre merger AMG like 48hp who's worked on them and blogged for years, covering their finer points in so much detail while doing open heart surgery rebuilding his car.. Big thanks 48hp for clarifying TheAMGkits question and also keeping us all entertained on the AMG internals over the years. To add to 48hp comment, some AMG have their upgrades stamped on the block, some don't, this example for sale is stamped. I also had a great chat with a well know pre merger AMG mechanic (JH) and he indicated the 5.4 were the more worked on AMG motor (subject to desire & pockets), while the 6 with MB upgrade as a base left less that could be done. I hope I requoted that right. Have a great Xmas. (NZ is first to see the new day light and have Xmas.) S
@benzgarden Hi Benzgarden Your car is interesting. It would be good to know what the experts have to share about this @AMG5pt4 @CURATED @BlueridgeMB or Blakley What's your engine stamped with.. engine numbers (down where the motor bolts to trans)? 117? My understanding is that the earlier (1985 and earlier) Merc 500 - 5ltr was bored out to a max of 5.4 as the first step of the AMG 5.4 performance upgrade. The later 1986 Merc 560 engine was upgraded to 6 ltr by AMG. Does your documentation give any clues if your 500SEL has its original engine? Eg the 1984/85 500, was swapped out later and upgrading to the newer 560 by AMG to a 6ltr? Reply with the engine numbers? Is this the Curated car you refer too? It states the "1985 Mercedes-Benz AMG 6.0"..."In 1987 the car received a complete conversion by AMG, i.e. a new AMG engine" https://wearecurated.com/1985-mercedes-benz-amg-6-0/ Half the fun with the pre merger AMG's is unrevealing the mystic around their history. Reply with more on your car, numbers & documentation. The experts mentioned above will be able to help to clarify.
@AMG5pt4 thanks AMG5pt4 for your 2cents, with your wealth of pre merger knowledge. Hopefully this goes to a good AMG pre merger collector
@Silo Thanks Silo. well said
@Fatfrog Hi Fatfrog Thanks for your question. Yes. To make thing easy, I'm working in with Rocket Freight Ltd for estimates and will help the buyer working in with whatever shipping company is chosen to get the car on a ship to the USA. There are a number of NZ international freight forwarding companies who regularly facilitate the shipping of classic around the world from Auckland - NZ One of those companies Rocket Freight Ltd, with an office in Auckland provided these prices for Dec 2022 As an example I requested Long Beach - USA as the destination. - Roll on roll off - Driven onto the ship. Auckland to Long Beach port USA approx 4500NZD (USD$2900*). - 20ft container - Auckland depot to Long Beach from approx 9500NZD (USD$6100*) - 20ft container - Auckland depot to New York approx 16,000NZD (USD$10200*) - 20ft container - Auckland depot to London port approx 12,000NZD. * todays exchange conversion For this AMG with the widebody the freight manager recommended a shipping container. I will work in with the buyer and the freight forwarding company. If you need some reassurance, look at the likes of Patina Collective on youtube who have shipped hundreds of rare Mercs from all corners of the world.
@mercmatt Yes it's likely this car. Especially if Dominion Road as I'd regular drove down to Auckland with Mt Eden a regular stop. Only know of one other (rumored widebody on the road). The story I heard, Silver 6ltr that the GM of Merc NZ owned at the time.
@MAbbott Thanks MAbbott The 1984 AMG 5.4 'Wide-Body' that sold in 2019 at RM's had no spoiler, but somewhere in it's life they replaced the period AMG 5 spoke Pentas with the 3 pieces lower profile OZ wheels of the later AMG's. My take is keep it in period Gen 1's look nice as is, Gen 2 6ltrs low profile OZ. This car apparently had some big modern mags on it for a short time with its prior owner, fortunately when I bought it I got the original wheels. I watched a video where Blakley returned his AMG 6ltr SL back to its right mags and it just looks right. Spoilers either way, but as they come.
@AMG5pt4 Thanks AMG5pt4 for your eagle eye and sharing your experience on my car. Yes the big stopper for a USA buyers all those years ago was that at the time the car was 1-2 years off their 25year old import reg's. With so few 5.4 widebody cars built and even less around these days, the 5.4's are not well known and refreshing to get your experience. The first generation widebody and the fully worked 5.4 the top AMG performer. Yes to answer your glass question. Lighter too than steel with the front/rear fiberglass widebody fenders. It means a lot esp on the 5.4's history, having read your other AMG blog comments over the years on pre merger AMG sales to blog builds. You are in the ideal position of enjoying the build and driving experience. Thanks for sharing your experience.
@Hamgburglar Hi Hamgburglar Yes a good question as there is no advertise options. MB Classic do offer a heritage review, but their service is to only 40y/o plus cars. Will they take on pre merger AMG's is unknown? I did email them and got the "wait til it's 40y/o" comment. At first I found MB seemed focused on MB & MB AMG cars fully built in their factory eg 1991 onwards. They seem to more like to reference the AMG pedigree/heritage Red Pig, WB's and Hammers in adverts with Lewis and co. But still no formally "advertised" process of pre merger AMG authentication. As we all know pre merger AMG HQ records are very limited, it could be that there is a lot of homework for MB to do to verify cars I would expect a cost for the service and in my case they did it FOC, for which I'm very grateful. The buyer of this car will get all the emails detailing the questions, photos supplied and confirmation as authentic. As its not an establish/advertised process and I expect mountain of requests to MB after this post, may I suggest you get my contact details off Blakley after the auction and I'm happy to share how. (The approach and the contact).
@motorderby Hi Motorderby Yes, other top classic are similar with Gen1's, with some not coming to auction often. eg LP400's The AMG widebody Gen1 set the scene for what was coming. Imagine people first sighting the WB's, rolled by or featured in a magazine. It's interesting to read blog comments from people on the low stance and unique widebody..(and sound). As it was explained to me the 5.4's widebodys were the top AMG offering at the time, over a very narrow window from 84-85, before the MB 560 motor came and the AMG 6ltrs took over. With just 25 produced and unknown how many still exist, they are rare. It seems only one has come to public auction in April 2019 over the last 5+ years. https://www.classic.com/m/mercedes-benz/s/w126/c126-coupe/amg/54/ Different wheels in the 2019 example.. I do know of one which changed hands privately. At the time in April 2019 Petrolicious reported on the auction which featured three pre merger AMG's under the hammer " The AMGs performed particularly well at the auction, with the sale of a 1990 560 SEC AMG 6.0 wide body fetching a spectacular final bid of €149,500, double the estimate. Another wide body coupe, a 500 SEC AMG 5.4 was sold at an even higher price of €161.000. far exceeding the pre-sale expectations. The most anticipated car of the collection, though, the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 500 TE AMG wagon, brought an astonishing €143.750, more than doubling pre-sale estimate of €60-70k, and establishing a world record price for the W123 platform. This pre-merger black on tan 500 TE it is believed to have been converted to AMG specifications in period, but whatever the story is, it looks the absolute business.” https://petrolicious.com/articles/gallery-proof-from-techno-classica-that-the-youngtimer-takeover-is-well-underway
@teleskier Hi Teleskier Yes. There are a number of NZ international freight forwarding companies who regularly facilitate the shipping of classic around the world from Auckland - NZ One of those companies Rocket Freight Ltd, with an office in Auckland provided these prices for Dec 2022 As an example I requested Long Beach - USA as the destination. - Roll on roll off - Driven onto the ship. Auckland to Long Beach port USA approx 4500NZD (USD$2900*). - 20ft container - Auckland depot to Long Beach from approx 9500NZD (USD$6100*). - 20ft container - Auckland depot to London port approx 12,000NZD. * todays exchange conversion For this AMG with the widebody the freight manager recommended a shipping container. I will work in with the buyer and the freight forwarding company. Regards
@Roofsforcars Hi Roofsforcars Hour north of Auckland.
Get the best of The MB Market directly in your inbox every day. Subscribe for a curated list of our top market listings and articles!
1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
Thanks everyone for your bids and comments Wilsonn1974 has a great car1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
Thanks guys for your bibs. When I saw those hand engraved cam's it was like seeing a signature on a famous artwork. Very exclusive AMG Artwork11985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
I wanted to take this opportunity when all eyes are on my very special 5.4 WB to thank Blakley and crew. If you have a merc or AMG, the MBmarket crew will look after you like no other. They live and breathe these cars and will represent your car very well. Just read and enjoy the backstories on Blakley and his AMG collection in mags and youtube videos. Keep in touch with the Merc/AMG market pulse by plugging into the MBmarket via their enews, facebook or insta You may find your dream car, or one day decide to sell. Best regards S1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
Hi Guys Just a note for newbie bidders on theMBMarket Any new bidder just be aware to double check the following (A summary of the MBmarket FAQ on bidding): -All bidders must add a valid credit card on file (account) in order to be able to bid -bidders are encouraged not to wait until the final minutes to make sure bids can go through This ensures your account works for bidding. Possible problems could be the credit card issuer thinks it might be fraud or something on their profile doesn’t match with the card issuer info. all the best with bidding.1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
Big thanks to @Focused @Fatboi @Mrbenz @NYCdriver Certainly a very limited slice of AMG pre merger excellence to bib on, that will give enjoyment and be an investment.1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@benzgarden Thanks benzgarden Interesting discussion especially the “AMG” “400” badges car. Cubic inch for the USA market? Seems you may have one of the first 560 block 6 ltr produced in your SEL, well done. Have they stamped the engine with 6.0? The value covers a giveaway for the DOHC. Since getting the AMG bug 10 years ago I've been following the widebody SEC market in the public domain auctions. Numbers of SEC WB sold by year: 1984 1x 5.4 ltr 1985 1x 5 ltr, 1x 5.4 this car 1986 3x 6 ltr 1987 1x 6 ltr 1988 1x 6 ltr 1989 7x 6 ltr 1990 4x 6 ltr 1991 1x 6 ltr 19 cars auctioned in 10 years. (tracked by vin number) A similar number to classic.com tracking. But a long way off the 25 x 5.4’s and 60 x 6ltrs built. How many still exist? Observations: WDB1260451A436448 a Japan example was sold twice over that period. 2016 RM's @ Arizona and then again Jan 2021 RM's @ Arizona. 5ltr & 5.4's are the 500 engine blocks, 6ltr the later 560 block. 6ltrs a mix of Germany, USA and Japan built. The 5 & 5.4 ltr auctions didn't say if they were steel or the light weight glass widebody. (or 6ltrs) The 84 5.4 at some stage changed the period AMG pentas to the later 3 pieces wheels (tire availability at the time or looks?) One of the 6ltr cars, after auction was challenge if authentic. Then there is the private market where AMG's never see the auction hammer and trade between collectors, agents or AMG experts servicing them. Anyone to own a WB, Hammer, AMG upgrade or EVO (post merger) are very lucky. To have 1 of 500 is marketed as “rare” or a “unicorn” these days. One of 12 Hammers, 1 of 25 5.4 WB’s, 1 of 60 6ltr WB’s, Sleeper 6ltrs? What do we call pre merger AMG?1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@48hp @TheAMGKit Thanks for your question TheAMGKit. Few know the inner workings of the pre merger AMG like 48hp who's worked on them and blogged for years, covering their finer points in so much detail while doing open heart surgery rebuilding his car.. Big thanks 48hp for clarifying TheAMGkits question and also keeping us all entertained on the AMG internals over the years. To add to 48hp comment, some AMG have their upgrades stamped on the block, some don't, this example for sale is stamped. I also had a great chat with a well know pre merger AMG mechanic (JH) and he indicated the 5.4 were the more worked on AMG motor (subject to desire & pockets), while the 6 with MB upgrade as a base left less that could be done. I hope I requoted that right. Have a great Xmas. (NZ is first to see the new day light and have Xmas.) S1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@benzgarden Hi Benzgarden Your car is interesting. It would be good to know what the experts have to share about this @AMG5pt4 @CURATED @BlueridgeMB or Blakley What's your engine stamped with.. engine numbers (down where the motor bolts to trans)? 117? My understanding is that the earlier (1985 and earlier) Merc 500 - 5ltr was bored out to a max of 5.4 as the first step of the AMG 5.4 performance upgrade. The later 1986 Merc 560 engine was upgraded to 6 ltr by AMG. Does your documentation give any clues if your 500SEL has its original engine? Eg the 1984/85 500, was swapped out later and upgrading to the newer 560 by AMG to a 6ltr? Reply with the engine numbers? Is this the Curated car you refer too? It states the "1985 Mercedes-Benz AMG 6.0"..."In 1987 the car received a complete conversion by AMG, i.e. a new AMG engine" https://wearecurated.com/1985-mercedes-benz-amg-6-0/ Half the fun with the pre merger AMG's is unrevealing the mystic around their history. Reply with more on your car, numbers & documentation. The experts mentioned above will be able to help to clarify.1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@AMG5pt4 thanks AMG5pt4 for your 2cents, with your wealth of pre merger knowledge. Hopefully this goes to a good AMG pre merger collector1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@Silo Thanks Silo. well said1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@Fatfrog Hi Fatfrog Thanks for your question. Yes. To make thing easy, I'm working in with Rocket Freight Ltd for estimates and will help the buyer working in with whatever shipping company is chosen to get the car on a ship to the USA. There are a number of NZ international freight forwarding companies who regularly facilitate the shipping of classic around the world from Auckland - NZ One of those companies Rocket Freight Ltd, with an office in Auckland provided these prices for Dec 2022 As an example I requested Long Beach - USA as the destination. - Roll on roll off - Driven onto the ship. Auckland to Long Beach port USA approx 4500NZD (USD$2900*). - 20ft container - Auckland depot to Long Beach from approx 9500NZD (USD$6100*) - 20ft container - Auckland depot to New York approx 16,000NZD (USD$10200*) - 20ft container - Auckland depot to London port approx 12,000NZD. * todays exchange conversion For this AMG with the widebody the freight manager recommended a shipping container. I will work in with the buyer and the freight forwarding company. If you need some reassurance, look at the likes of Patina Collective on youtube who have shipped hundreds of rare Mercs from all corners of the world.1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@mercmatt Yes it's likely this car. Especially if Dominion Road as I'd regular drove down to Auckland with Mt Eden a regular stop. Only know of one other (rumored widebody on the road). The story I heard, Silver 6ltr that the GM of Merc NZ owned at the time.1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@MAbbott Thanks MAbbott The 1984 AMG 5.4 'Wide-Body' that sold in 2019 at RM's had no spoiler, but somewhere in it's life they replaced the period AMG 5 spoke Pentas with the 3 pieces lower profile OZ wheels of the later AMG's. My take is keep it in period Gen 1's look nice as is, Gen 2 6ltrs low profile OZ. This car apparently had some big modern mags on it for a short time with its prior owner, fortunately when I bought it I got the original wheels. I watched a video where Blakley returned his AMG 6ltr SL back to its right mags and it just looks right. Spoilers either way, but as they come.1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@AMG5pt4 Thanks AMG5pt4 for your eagle eye and sharing your experience on my car. Yes the big stopper for a USA buyers all those years ago was that at the time the car was 1-2 years off their 25year old import reg's. With so few 5.4 widebody cars built and even less around these days, the 5.4's are not well known and refreshing to get your experience. The first generation widebody and the fully worked 5.4 the top AMG performer. Yes to answer your glass question. Lighter too than steel with the front/rear fiberglass widebody fenders. It means a lot esp on the 5.4's history, having read your other AMG blog comments over the years on pre merger AMG sales to blog builds. You are in the ideal position of enjoying the build and driving experience. Thanks for sharing your experience.1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@Hamgburglar Hi Hamgburglar Yes a good question as there is no advertise options. MB Classic do offer a heritage review, but their service is to only 40y/o plus cars. Will they take on pre merger AMG's is unknown? I did email them and got the "wait til it's 40y/o" comment. At first I found MB seemed focused on MB & MB AMG cars fully built in their factory eg 1991 onwards. They seem to more like to reference the AMG pedigree/heritage Red Pig, WB's and Hammers in adverts with Lewis and co. But still no formally "advertised" process of pre merger AMG authentication. As we all know pre merger AMG HQ records are very limited, it could be that there is a lot of homework for MB to do to verify cars I would expect a cost for the service and in my case they did it FOC, for which I'm very grateful. The buyer of this car will get all the emails detailing the questions, photos supplied and confirmation as authentic. As its not an establish/advertised process and I expect mountain of requests to MB after this post, may I suggest you get my contact details off Blakley after the auction and I'm happy to share how. (The approach and the contact).1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@motorderby Hi Motorderby Yes, other top classic are similar with Gen1's, with some not coming to auction often. eg LP400's The AMG widebody Gen1 set the scene for what was coming. Imagine people first sighting the WB's, rolled by or featured in a magazine. It's interesting to read blog comments from people on the low stance and unique widebody..(and sound). As it was explained to me the 5.4's widebodys were the top AMG offering at the time, over a very narrow window from 84-85, before the MB 560 motor came and the AMG 6ltrs took over. With just 25 produced and unknown how many still exist, they are rare. It seems only one has come to public auction in April 2019 over the last 5+ years. https://www.classic.com/m/mercedes-benz/s/w126/c126-coupe/amg/54/ Different wheels in the 2019 example.. I do know of one which changed hands privately. At the time in April 2019 Petrolicious reported on the auction which featured three pre merger AMG's under the hammer " The AMGs performed particularly well at the auction, with the sale of a 1990 560 SEC AMG 6.0 wide body fetching a spectacular final bid of €149,500, double the estimate. Another wide body coupe, a 500 SEC AMG 5.4 was sold at an even higher price of €161.000. far exceeding the pre-sale expectations. The most anticipated car of the collection, though, the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 500 TE AMG wagon, brought an astonishing €143.750, more than doubling pre-sale estimate of €60-70k, and establishing a world record price for the W123 platform. This pre-merger black on tan 500 TE it is believed to have been converted to AMG specifications in period, but whatever the story is, it looks the absolute business.” https://petrolicious.com/articles/gallery-proof-from-techno-classica-that-the-youngtimer-takeover-is-well-underway1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@teleskier Hi Teleskier Yes. There are a number of NZ international freight forwarding companies who regularly facilitate the shipping of classic around the world from Auckland - NZ One of those companies Rocket Freight Ltd, with an office in Auckland provided these prices for Dec 2022 As an example I requested Long Beach - USA as the destination. - Roll on roll off - Driven onto the ship. Auckland to Long Beach port USA approx 4500NZD (USD$2900*). - 20ft container - Auckland depot to Long Beach from approx 9500NZD (USD$6100*). - 20ft container - Auckland depot to London port approx 12,000NZD. * todays exchange conversion For this AMG with the widebody the freight manager recommended a shipping container. I will work in with the buyer and the freight forwarding company. Regards1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC 5.4 AMG Widebody
kvrs said:
@Roofsforcars Hi Roofsforcars Hour north of Auckland.