500SEC - a gray market car?
 

There is a 500SEC for sale down the road a bit. It has a bit ole dent in the hood - Coincidentally, there is a 560SEC at the junkyard, with a good hood.

But, I was thinking that the 500's weren't sold here, except as grey market.

It's got a good bit of miles (200k+), but SEC's seem to have a certain amount of followers; so I thought that this car might be of some interest/value to somebody.


PS: Wow... after 7 years, I hit the 2k mark! :)

1984-1985 saw the U.S. spec w126 500 SEL. I'm pretty sure that the coupe followed suit.

MBUSA sold the 500SEC in the United States in 1984-85, so it might be a US spec one. A check of the VIN# would tell whether it's a US car. It could be either if it's an '84 or an '85

If it were any other model year, it would be a gray market car...

Congrats of post #2k

id totally buy it and a hood from the junker since a new hood runs what.. 2k+

84 and 85 saw us spec 500 coupes. i have an 84. very very nice car.

tom w

congrats on 2k posts !!!!!!

cdplayer
 

Mine is a 1984 500 SEC with 233,000 miles. I found the car online. It came with a wealth of service receipts. Even the origional window sticker.
And every creature comfort works too.
The car came off the ship in San Francisco. So it has the factory California smog equipment. Then trucked to it's first owner in Oregon.
After 23 years, the car now resides less than 100 miles from it's origional delivery point. :kid:

mine is a two owner car with very complete records. everything works except some glitches with the pass seat and its belt presenter. i have replaced the radio with a sony radio/cd player.

mine stickered for $57,000 new.

yikes!

tom w

They did exist - one of my father's mercedes during the 80s was a black 1985 500SEC. Drove very well and very fast. If I remember correctly, he paid $55k for it back then. Now you can buy a suburban for $55k - boy, things sure do change.

So....what do y'all reckon its worth?

Overall exterior condition (excluding dented/smashed hood) is a 6-7
Interior condition looked like a 5 (windows are tinted, couldn't see too well).

not much.

i have had mine for sale and it is pretty nice for around $4 to $5k and not much interest.

so that car....maybe $1k?

it sounds a bit rough.

tom w

I happen to drive by it again today... It has 233k miles, and current owner (he claims about 8 months of ownership) says he bought it from the original owner. He claims it was the original owner's wife's car.
Not only will the hood need replacing, but the impact (supposedly with a large planter) also pushed in the radiator, and pushed the horn mounting screws into the condensor. It's going to need paint on the replacement hood, the right fender, and possibly door (long scratch). It started immediately and ran well, with just a little bit of wobble. Didn't hear any chain slap - so maybe it was replaced at least once in its life.

I think he decided that he bit off more than he could chew, and is asking $1500 for it - I think it "obo" offer is going to be used. All of the bundt rims are above average in condition - I couldn't decide which one was the spare rim.

The VIN, if anybody is interested: WDB1260441A007731

cdplayer
 

Me too. Very nice. Great for DIY too.

Wow, sounds like an excellent candidate for a fuel injected, Big Bock Chevy, and six speed manual. Since it needs some cosmetic work, and has those miles on it. I'd pay $1000.oo for it right now, and buy the hood from the junk yard.

get away with those chebby motors, trucknik!

BTW i sold my 500 for $4000 recently.

it went to indy. very nice man.

tom w