Description
Even the most beautiful stories sometimes have an ending….
Passionate private collector, known on social media for several of his cars featured in the press and on the web (see POA CLK55 AMG, Jeep Wrangler TJ 4. 0, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Dodge Challenger SRT 8, 1978 Cadillac De Ville, etc, etc…) for sale:
Probably one of the (the?) finest France-spec “Series 1” 500 SECs, fully restored, with a complete history from zero kilometres (unfindable…) and a condition that’s really concours-level.
- Sold new by Mercedes Bochum to Hermann F (deceased in 2013; he took his Mercedes to his holiday home in Spain, where it then stayed for the rest of its life until I bought it in 2013 in Granollers/ Barcelona with about 180k km at the time – 184k km today)
VIN WDB1260441A085653
Model 500 SEC
Engine 117963 12 054603
Gearbox 722311 02 527550
Production number 4443201
Order number 0 2 362 00936
Order location LUEG, BOCHUM
Interior LEATHER - BLUE (252)
Paint ASTRAL SILVER - METALLISED PAINT (735U)
Build date 1984-07
Codes Description
256 FRONT AXLE BEAM WITH DIFFERENTIAL WITH SELF-LOCKING
260 MONOGRAM ON REAR BONNET - DELETION
444 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL) AND AIRBAG
470 ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS)
504 RIGHT EXTERNAL MIRROR WITH ELECTRIC ADJUSTMENT (LEFT-HAND DRIVE)
510 K7 MB BECKER MEXICO RADIO
531 AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED ANTENNA
543 SUN VISORS WITH LIT COURTESY MIRRORS LEFT AND RIGHT
580 AIR CONDITIONING
611 DOOR ACCESS LIGHTING FOR FRONT AND REAR DOORS
640 15-HOLE LIGHT-ALLOY WHEELS
673 BATTERY WITH HIGHER CAPACITY
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
873 SEAT HEATING LEFT AND RIGHT
- Lovely spec combo: understated and classy Astralsilber 735, blue leather 252, Barock/ Fuchs 14-inch wheels on Vredestein Sprint Classic 205/ 70 VR14
- 184, 000 km from new, certified
- Normal French registration document (carte grise)
- Brand-new spare wheel, never used, fitted with its exceptional period Michelin XDX
- Original tool kit and first-aid kit.
- Complete service book, invoices and documentation from the beginning.
- All keys
- Full history from zero km (!), over 30k (!) in invoices including 5k in 05/ 2026
- Impeccable cosmetic condition outside/ inside/ underbody/ rolling stock/ trim/ suspension….
- Serviced with passion and no expense spared.
Hard to list everything in detail, but:
- K-Jet injection rebuilt
- Steering box restored
- Leather restored
- 4 refurbished/ repainted wheels
- Tempomat (cruise control) control unit restored (however the stalk has just failed; it will be put back into proper working order for sale)
- Air conditioning converted and fully functional
- Braking (master cylinder, ABS sensors, ABS control unit…), suspension/ rolling stock, all ignition components, starter, alternator, belts, cooling, exhaust, bearing mounts, flex coupling, gearbox mount, steering damper, etc, etc, etc…)
- New/ retrimmed headlining, new Hirschmann aerial, engine insulation, repaired driver’s seatbelt arm, etc, etc….
- Bodywork renovated and polished; absolutely no corrosion anywhere….
- The list of all work carried out over time is substantial….
- All accessories are fully operational.
- All previous CT (technical inspection) certificates blank/ clean (!).
In short,
A Series 1 SEC in almost original-as-new condition, probably unique in France (see Europe?) in this condition and with its complete history.
Featured in Auto-Rétro in November 2013, and more recently in Petites Observations Automobiles - POA with Patrice V.
No faults, and genuinely hard to find.
Drives absolutely any distance.
Visible near Bassin d’Arcachon.
Firm price, justified and not negotiable:
31, 990€, available in about a month.
Yes, the price is close to many 560 SECs currently for sale, but a 560 in the same condition will show up well beyond 35/ 40k…
W126s were already complex cars when they were new.
Over 40 years old now, they’re becoming increasingly difficult to find in very nice condition, and the craftsmen who can properly take care of them are even rarer.
For the passionate and demanding enthusiast.
Contact by email.
PS: based on some photos, an upgrade has been carried out with the installation of front headlamp washers (which are absolutely now impossible to find, according to the president of the Mercedes Club de France), the wooden BVA gearbox lever has been swapped for an original lever, and the boot monogram has been repositioned correctly.
