Not true.

In 1984 and 1985 they were for sale new in the USA in Mercedes Benz dealerships.

~~~

Many of us would like to know more about deciphering the VIN numbers on the W126 coupes. Here's the trick for most U.S. spec vehicles. Keep in mind that most European grey market models use the chassis number (the number stamped on the secondary firewall) as the actual VIN number. U.S. vehicles have a VIN number stamping in multiple locations including the front windshield and driver's side door post.



Here's a sample VIN number from a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC: WDB C A 45 E X K A 478654



I'll break these down in order:



WDB - this refers to the manufacturer's code indicating Daimler-Benz (and now Daimler-Chrysler for 1999+ vehicles)



C - this code refers to the model or series. C = 126 series (other examples are E = 124 series and H = 202 series)



A - this letter refers to the engine type. A = gasoline, B = diesel



45 - these number refer to the model within the series. The following designations are relevent in the U.S. spec. W126 coupes:



- 126.043 1982-1983 380SEC M116.963 engine

- 126.044 1984-1985 500SEC M117.963 engine

- 126.045 1986-1991 560SEC M117.968 engine



E - this letter refers to the safety restraint system on the vehicle. E = seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver and passenger

front air bags



X - this is simply a check digit



K - this is the model year designation. K = 1989 (other examples are P = 1993, R = 1994, and so on)



A - this letter signifies the plant of production. A-E = Sindelfingen, F-H = Bremen, and J = Rastatt



478654 - this is the chassis end number

source: www.mbcoupes.com

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)