Tom,

The US specification 560 coupes and sedans came from the factory with 2nd gear start and a vacuum operated "economy" guage" on the dashboard along with the VERY lazy 2:47 limited slip diff. It was supposed to provide for a slower, more economical start, and provide a bit more traction in winter conditions.

The Euro specification 560 W126 cars had an S/E (sport and economy) switch on the console which let you choose which you wanted; "Sport" was lst gear start, and "economy" was 2nd gear start.

Here's a picture of a Euro S/E switch that was installed by Satish on a US spec 560SEC (Scroll halfway down the page)
http://www.mbcoupes.com/euroconversion/conversion.htm

You'll probably never see another one like this vehicle. Forum member and W126 expert, Jonathan Hodgcock who owns Blue Ridge Mercedes down Atlanta way owns that car now, (I have seen it, in Las Vegas, when the PO had it) and I can assert it's maybe the nicest and best equipped 560SEC in the country. If you could persuade him to cut loose of it, it's the best 560SEC you could find at any price ( save perhaps Satish's 560SEC V12 conversion maybel)

I feel lucky to have purchased one of the Bergwerks First gear start kits before Bergwerks shut down a few years ago.

After a while I got used to it, it gives you instant power when you start up, if you want it, yet I am used to going easy on the gas in snowy wet or slushy conditions of winter, so I'm a fan of the modification. I paid Bergwerks $250 for the FGS kit, including tax/shipping and it was worth every cent.

I'm unaware of anyone in the states offering the kit now, maybe Jonathan could be persuaded to do a run one day, it would be a hit, but I think he's busy on a 560 SEC tri - Y euro headers project, I think.

Per my signature, the Euro headlights, lowering springs, and lst gear start are the only mods of note, that I have on my car. Each of them paid off well in driving enhancement and pleasure.

Other things, like Sheepskin seat covers, cupholders, burlwood gearshift knobs, uprated stereo, and things like that are just matters of personal preference.

There's a procedure, though, that you can follow to make your U.S. specification 560SEC , 2nd gear start equipped, actually start in 1st gear.
It involves moving the level and then dropping the gearshift knob down to lst gear, someone here who knows more than me can explain it, so you'll know when you finally have your own 560SEC

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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)