"S" class with roll-up windows - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MS Fowler · #1 08-24-2009, 07:50 PM

While walking through a local dismantling and recycling center for automotive parts (i.e. junkyard), I saw an "S" class with roll-up windows. I was surprised as I thought all S"S cars had power windows. It was a W126, SE280 from the early to mid 80s, I believe. Interior was tan, or saddle MB Tex; not velor, so I doubt that its a gray market car. Did MB import "S" cars with roll up windows, or is this an oddity.

Fulcrum525 · #2 08-24-2009, 08:03 PM

Its most likely a European car. The 280SE was NEVER sold in the states and is one step above the base model which was the 280 S

(SE=Fuel injection)
(S=Carburetor)

Did it have a manual transmission by chance?

Jorn · #3 08-24-2009, 08:04 PM

The ones that were imported by MBUSA were the top of the line with all the gadgets available. Most European models are much more basic, at least they were in the seventies and eighties.

When I grew up Mercedes had a very stuffy image back in Holland, my German ex girlfriend didn't want a 300TD because that was the car the milkman would deliver the milk with

pwogaman · #4 08-24-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

While walking through a local dismantling and recycling center for automotive parts (i.e. junkyard), I saw an "S" class with roll-up windows. I was surprised as I thought all S"S cars had power windows. It was a W126, SE280 from the early to mid 80s, I believe. Interior was tan, or saddle MB Tex; not velor, so I doubt that its a gray market car. Did MB import "S" cars with roll up windows, or is this an oddity.

At which yard did you see it?

MS Fowler · #5 08-24-2009, 10:01 PM

The yard was one of the Crazy Ray's yards. This was the one in Curtiss Bay.

pawoSD · #6 08-24-2009, 11:56 PM

I've seen a euro 500 in our local yard that had cloth seats, power + memory drivers seat, but fully manual passenger front seat....power drivers front window, and all others were manual....manual climate controls.....very interesting indeed! And it had the twin position Fanfare/autobahn horn system installed! (I got the switch/wires, but the horns were rusted/shot

) It also had self leveling suspension....crazy stuff!

TheDon · #7 08-25-2009, 12:24 AM

yep I've seen a 500SEL just like that a long time ago in the yards.. Full velour interior, manual windows.. weird

Jim B. · #8 08-25-2009, 02:48 PM

It was a euro optioned one you saw with crank windows.

In Europe you could actually buy a new '86-91 EURO 420SEC with no ac, no sunroof, no cruise, and steel wheels with plastic hubcaps on it, what we call the "mooch package" at dealers in this country. hey all had automatics and power windows though.

A new 280SE W126 could even be had with a stick shift!!

The W126 cars that were sold new, were all "loaded" with options. About 99% had leather seats, as MBUSA felt (rightly) that most US customers thought a Mercedes Benz S class was NOT a Mercedes Benz unless it had leather seats; Alcantara and cloth upholstery were no-charge options. Virtually nobody took them in the USA.

Fulcrum525 · #9 08-25-2009, 03:02 PM

The only cloth interior i've ever seen on a W126 was on Hatties and now TheDons SDL.

I have pictures of an alcantara interior with a 4 seat package on a car that was sold in CT but I've never seen one in person.

My gut tells me that alcantara interiors are even rarer then cloth interiors.

TX76513 · #10 08-25-2009, 03:35 PM

My 500SE had manual windows and seats and no sun roof.

Ara T. · #11 08-25-2009, 04:32 PM

Oh the humanity!

Johnhef · #12 08-29-2009, 12:19 PM

the '80 500SE has manual seats, but power sunroof, windows and auto climate control.

daveuz · #13 08-29-2009, 01:23 PM

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/ctd/1333507590.html Here is a 84 280 SEL euro spec car with power windows but cloth seats. Looks to be in fine cond. also.