Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
An unrepeatable Mercedes-Benz W126 380SE with just 29,513 miles and full history.
EQUIPMENT
All steel monocoque body, torsionally resistant safety cell, impact-absorbing front and rear sections, heat insulating safety glass, laminated windscreen, headlamp wash/wipe, central locking, electric window lifters, pneumatic headlamp range adjust, electrically adjustable passenger door mirror, dual zone electronic interior temperature control. Factory options: Metallic paint, 15-hole alloy wheels, electric sliding roof, limited slip differential, electric aerial, anti-lock brakes, fire extinguisher.
EXTERIOR
The understated styling of the W126 Series, the flagship line for Mercedes-Benz, are instantly recognisable and having covered a mere 29,512 miles from new, this powerful 380SE example is an unrepeatable testament to this design classic. Finished in factory optional Thistle Green Metallic, (Code 881), the beautifully polished paint finish is fantastic and all original panels are straight with even gaps. All doors close effortlessly with a quality thud. Minor age-related markings and a small ding to the rear panel are visible upon inspection but hardly warrant a mention. All trim sections are fully intact with no damage and only a few hairline scratches. Originality seekers will be treated to supplying dealer number plates, rear screen sticker and tax disc holder, as well as service stickers and an amazing preserved underside, still displaying factory stickers and labels to original components. Worthy of the best collections.
INTERIOR
The superbly engineered and beautifully finished cabin space of the Mercedes-Benz W126 is widely renowned for unsurpassed build quality. Ergonomically designed for optimum comfort, the contoured seats trimmed in original Light Brown fabric, (Code 034), are immaculately clean and wear free, complimented by the fine wood-veneer capping’s in perfect order. The door cards, headlining, dashboard and switchgear are perfect, and all functions and controls operate with seamless finesse, as you would expect. The sumptuous carpet has no notable wear having been protected from new by expensive tailored over mats. The rear parcel shelf has two stowage compartments, one holding the unused first aid kit and even the emergency incident instruction card! An immensely comfortable and well-appointed interior, finished to the highest standard.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Fitted with the Mercedes aluminium fuel-injected V8 engine of 3839cc displacement, this powerful engine produces 218bhp and 305Nm maximum torque. A top speed of 134mph is quoted with effortless quiet acceleration. The engine bay is beautifully clean and displays all manufacturer plates, stickers and panel stampings. The four-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with optional limited-slip differential operates exactly as the manufacturer intended with smooth changes and positive kick down.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Factory optional 15-hole alloy wheels are virtually mark free and unrestored even to the extent of one rim still wearing the factory PDI dot sticker! Matching branded 205/70 R14 tyres have masses of tread remaining. The pristine boot area houses the spare wheel alongside the original jack and warning triangle, and there are even date labels still attached to the inner rear light clusters and the wheel changing instruction tag! Dual-circuit servo braking system with factory optional anti-lock assistance (ABS) offers excellent straight-line stopping power.
HISTORY FILE
Supplied new on the 9th June 1982 by Mercedes-Benz Main Dealer, S.G.Smith Motors of Crystal Palace, this UK example has covered a fully verified 29,513 miles with just two individual owners. A new vehicle order form and options order card is made out to Mr Howard Moorby of R J Moorby Contractors with a price tag of £17,650 including factory options totalling £2146.93. Initially registered in the company name, Mr Moorby transferred the car into his name upon retirement in 1992. Having bought the car new, Mr Moorby who owned a large collection of prestige cars eventually ceased ownership in July 2017 when the car was bought by Mr David Burgess.
The history file is simply colossal and thorough perusal would take some considerable time. In addition to the original service booklet, which still has the factory build codes in the rear cover, all other handbooks, guides and dealership literature remain in the plastic document wallet and incredibly the rear-view mirror hung running in schedule has been kept. There is an invite card from the supplying dealer to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Daimler-Benz in 1986 and a letter to Mr Moorby in 1992 from S.G.Smith Motors giving a valuation of both this car and his 1982 380SL. A huge history folder holds countless invoices and MOT certificates dating back to the 1980’s as well as an original sales brochure and three Mercedes keys. The Mercedes-Benz W126 line is essentially a byword for outstanding build quality and engineering refinement, and this low mileage example allows the next owner to appreciate this German marque at pinnacle level and enjoy the growing interest this generation of Mercedes-Benz is attracting.
HPI Clear.
