Immaculate Original German market 500SEC, California car C126

Make:	Mercedes-Benz
Model:	500-Series
SubModel:	SEC
Type:	Coupe
Year:	1983
Mileage:	113835
VIN:	00000000000000000
Color:	Anthracite Grey
Engine:	V8
Cylinders:	8
Fuel:	Gasoline
Transmission:	Automatic
Drive type:	RWD
Interior color:	Anthracite Napa
Drive side:	Left-hand drive
Safety:	Anti-Lock Brakes
Vehicle Title:	Clean
Item location:	Torrance, California, United States

Extras

Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Windows, Power Seats
Cassette Player, Leather Seats, Sunroof

Listed by

Private seller

Enquire

Description of 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500-Series

NO RESERVE
*This is a "grey-market" (NON-USA) car, so the VIN doesn't show up on the eBay database, but it is 100% correct as VIN: WDB12604412004129

Also because it's a German version, you get the much nicer 1 piece glass headlights and the smaller bumpers but reinforced with steel crash-bars per US DOT on time of importing. Importantly you also get the more powerful Euro-spec motor.

It is an immaculate grey-market car that was imported to Los Angeles from Germany in 1983. The original owner passed away in the early 2000's so the car went into his son's name who almost never drove it, and I've had it since then. The car was stored in a hangar at Torrance Airport and always garaged otherwise. The paint was re-done in 1996 and is one of the nicest I've seen. It is one of the cleanest cars at any "Cars and Coffee" meet you attend (I try to go to at least 1 or 2 of them a month, they are all over LA...). The "leather Napa Anthracite" interior is as soft as new, with no rips or tears anywhere, just a nice patina from the years.

Only 113k original miles, everything works except the driver's seat belt giver and inflatable lumbar support bladders (easy fix for interior shop and you can buy bladders online, I just never cared about it because the seats are comfortable as they are). Last summer we did the climate control system; AC is nice and cold, heater is hot, vents and climate control dials serviced so it all works exactly as it should. The timing chains, guides, tensioners, cam gears & fluids flushed and all this was all done at Pete's Autohouse Torrance, approx $4500 in repairs 07/18. Original Becker stereo was sent out to Becker USA for repair and add Bluetooth mod. New genuine Benz floor mats front/rear, new hood pad, brand new tires, the car looks and drives excellent. New Magnaflow CA compliant catalytic converter and Magnaflow muffler with dual polished tips sounds great and looks clean and subtle.
These cars are only going up in value (according to Haggerty 80's era Benz saw a 50% increase in 2018, esp for desirable/rare color combinations like this one) and you will be hard pressed to find one as clean and original as this one.

This car is basically how it has looked since it was new in '83, on period correct 16" BBS wheels with a MFG date-stamp 1982. The rubber AMG trunk spoiler is soft and pliable still and has zero cracks in it. I added a front lip spoiler to match the color and texture of the trunk spoiler for a clean and subtle look. The car has an AMG badge and when I got it, there was an AMG lip on the rear bumper but the front and sides were missing, so I sourced a standard Euro rear bumper because you either need to have all the lips, or none at all in my opinion.
The car is lowered on black springs-unsure brand, with Bilstein shocks and rides like a dream. Brand new (less than 1k miles) Accelera Phi-R 215/55-16 front, 225/55-16 in the rear, these tires have a great tread pattern, and smooth sidewalls for a period-correct look but made with modern tire tech.
CLEAN CALIFORNIA TITLE and registration is current. It took me almost a year to get this car re-imported to CA because they'd changed registration to AZ (many CA residents do this to save on registration and there is no SMOG in AZ). I did my due diligence and spent way too much time at the CHP, BAR-Ref and DMV, but it's all done and only adds to this cars value. You could get in and drive it every day, although I hope the car is cherished and kept covered, indoors how it has always been and cruised in for nice drives, meets and shows. It is a head turning car in an amazing color and great condition that gets thumbs up and parking lot conversations often.
5/8/2019 passed California SMOG with flying colors, registration is paid through June 2020.

Recently installed mint condition, correct era (first gen 126 -no airbag label), lighted visors with mirrors after about a year of searching.
Folder of receipts dating to the mid-90's
Vehicle factory build list is included in photos. If you need additional photos please ask and Happy bidding!