The holy grail of a W126, a black on black 560SEL with very low mileage and in exceptional, rust-free condition.

 

Dubbed ‘the Addams family dragster’ by an American magazine when tested, the 560SEL has always been the most desirable of the W126 variants. In a bid to stay at the top of the power battle that was emerging with BMW, Mercedes stretched the M117 engine to 5.5-litres as part of its overhaul of the model in 1986. That extra half-litre made more difference than it sounded, giving the top S-Class tremendous mid-range torque that really got the big saloon moving.

 

This 560SEL is a European market example in left-hand drive. Originally Hungarian ordered, it was subsequently exported to Japan, where the car remained until it was exported to Holland in 2020 and sold through a W126 specialist to its current UK keeper – the gentleman behind the ‘Danz Benz’ collection and museum. He searched for the best 560 he could find and travelled to Holland to acquire it. Only available now as part of a consolidation of his collection.

 

Finished in Blue Black metallic with black leather interior. The specification is very high (all 560s had a very high level of standard equipment) including heated, electrically adjustable rear seats, driver’s airbag, memory/heated front seats, electric rear blind, automatic climate control, centre storage box, rear curtains for the side windows and town and country horns.

 

Having spent the majority of its life in the kind, salt-free climate of Japan, this W126 is absolutely corrosion free and in immaculate condition throughout. It retains its correct flared wings only fitted to the 560 model, exceptional paintwork and brightwork and refurbished wheels wearing new Continental tyres all round.

 

The interior is similarly superb with supple original leather, unmarked woodwork, Becker Mexico and new ribbed over mats.

 

There has been significant recent expenditure at a Mercedes specialist in the UK to ensure the car is in tip-top order.

 

560SELs in this condition, mileage and these colours are extremely hard to find today. They were perhaps the ultimate Mercedes of the 80s and one of the best cars in the world. A great addition to any collection.