Euro? W126 gasser

[rg2098]

Found this, it's local for me but my father hates W126s (the W116 is his first love). Can anyone clarifiy if its a euro spec car or not, I say it is but father says no? It's an 82 with SRS, cloth seats, and manuel climate controls.

Euro 380SE

[Palangi]

Two quick checks

First, run the vin number through Carfax and see if it comes up as a valid US vin.

Second, since the car is local, measure the spacing of the rear license plate mounting points to see if they match a US plate.

[MTUpower]

here's the vin run check for you

VIN WDB12603212032957
Model 380 SE
Chassis 12603212032957
Engine 116963 12 015324
Transmission 722310 02 232655
Order 0 2 220 00850
Approx. year 1982
Dealer Hannover branch (220)
Interior Unknown code (934)
Paint
473 champagne metallic (с 01.01.1978 по 31.12.1988, с 1994)
Options
410 electric sliding roof (с 01.03.1965 по 29.02.1988)
442 airbag in steering wheel (с 01.02.1980 по 31.10.1993)
466 central locking system (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
470 anti-lock braking system (abs) (с 01.06.1978 по 31.10.1993)
504 outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (с 01.11.1978 по 29.02.1986)
outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (l.h.d.)
taxi version, f.r.g, and outside rear view mirror on the right
532 automatic antenna without radio set (с 01.01.1963)
570 folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (с 01.04.1970)
front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest
585 Behr air conditioner and electric window lifters (front doors) (с 01.04.1970)
590 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), Germany
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - Germany (с 01.01.1972)
640 aluminium disc wheels with radial-ply tires (с 01.10.1969 по 31.12.1989)
682 fire extinguisher (с 01.04.1970)
812 rear-mounted loudspeaker (с 01.11.1974)

look like a ligit euro

[braverichard]

All that VIN check is unnecessary.

The fact that the VIN starts with WDB and then is followed by numbers only means it is a Euro Spec car.

[rg2098]

Thanks for the input, I would love to get it and have been trying to figure out how all night, but don't know if its in the cards right now. The first thing would be to get some euro lights on the front.

[turbodiesel]

Wow.. a 1982 euro car with an airbag.. VERY VERY rare. Airbags weren't introduced until 1984 model year in the US with Mercedes-Benz!

Some euro w116's had ABS, but the w126 was the first chassis to get an airbag.

[braverichard]

Originally Posted by turbodiesel

Wow.. a 1982 euro car with an airbag.. VERY VERY rare. Airbags weren't introduced until 1984 model year in the US with Mercedes-Benz!

Some euro w116's had ABS, but the w126 was the first chassis to get an airbag.

Yep. All those technologies were first tested in Europe for years before they were brought here. These days we get the technologies much sooner than before, but still always after the Europeans get them since they have more sane litigation rules and laws.

[300sdlguy]

Sure is rare, especially on a short wheelbase 380. Most airbags were only seen on the 500 series.

A note on the above linked eBay car...sure looks like the hood is sprung and the left front fender is a different shade than the door.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

here's the vin run check for you

Where did you dig that up?

[rg2098]

I did see the mismatched fender. You guys arn't making this easy. I'm going to look at it just because I can. Grr. this is one of those don't come up often things that you find the money for.

[Hatterasguy]

Yep if the vin starts with 126 it is a euro. It looke like a nice car, it is probably almost one of a kind. The seats look just like mine, they are quite nice in the summer and winter!

As with any 380 they did come with the weak single row timing chain, I know at some point they converted to a double row. But at 140k miles it probably has the double. I would expect to change the chain unless you find paper evidence of it being done in the last 10 years.

[turbodiesel]

DEFINATLEY check if it was converted to a double row.. if not it's a ticking time bomb!

The front licence plate mount and adjustable level headlight thingy by the switch would also seem to indicate euro.
Not a bad looking car...interesting color interior

[rg2098]

I drove by and the gates were closed. I could see it about 8 cars back and the passanger side looked pretty nice, couldn't see the mismatched driver fender. They also had a W123 230 without a front clip next to it. I shall have to go back when they are open.


How would one go about insuring one of these? I heard most companys wont insure euro spec cars.

[JimmyL]

Originally Posted by 300sdlguy

A note on the above linked eBay car...sure looks like the hood is sprung and the left front fender is a different shade than the door.

Fender looks OK to me. The door looks different because of the reflection of the red car next to it I think. Hopefully the hood is just not closed all the way.