1987 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL (W126)

• UK-supplied, right-hand drive, W126 dating from 05/03/1987
• Delightfully presented in Willow Green Metallic with Pine Green leather upholstery
• 5.6-litre, SOHC, 296bhp V8 offering 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds and 155mph
• Optioned from new with ‘Footrests in the rear, Becker Mexico Radio Cassette, paintwork preservation, LSD oil, MPH speedometer and output increase for 560SEL/ SEC
• Accompanied by a substantial history file. Original First Aid Kit
• Up until recently was part of a significant private collection for thirty years
• With the current indicated mileage 26,089 corroborated by family correspondence, this S-Class is a must-have for any serious collector

For decades, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been something of an automotive yardstick for technology and these luxury saloons have always represented the very best of the German marque's forward-thinking design with many world firsts debuting on an S-Class. In its homeland, this model is referred to as the "Sonderklasse," or Special-Class in English and the W126 (1979-’91) was very special indeed.

Only the second generation of the car to officially carry the S-Class nameplate, the W126 was a significant improvement on the popular W116. Launched in 1979 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, after six years in development, this was to be the model that would take Mercedes-Benz into the next decade and serve as the flagship for the three-pointed-star. Designers wanted the W126 to be the unquestionable champion in the areas of safety, technology, and efficiency and this they managed to achieve for over a decade.

In 1987, the most expensive top of the W126 range was the 560 SEL, a veritable palace on wheels which combined the super-smooth 5.6-litre V8 and the long wheelbase of the SE range, placing it in direct competition with the Rolls-Royce Spirit of the day, both in terms of price and size. It was powered by a 5547cc, SOHC, V8 that developed an unstressed 296bhp and 336lbft of torque, an output sufficient to propel this substantial saloon from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds and on to 155mph.

This amazing 560SEL is truly a time-warp car in the sense that its sheer presence and gleaming condition give no indication that it’s been wafting around for nearly 35 years. It’s delightfully finished in the rare combination of Willow Green metallic with Pine Green leather and, according to the well-kept history file, Chassis WDB1260392A324158 was built on 5th March 1987 to order number 0753788734 complete with: ‘Footrests in the rear (226), Becker Mexico Radio Cassette player (251), paintwork preservation (524), LSD oil (601), MPH speedometer (461) and output increase for 560SEL / SEC (822)’ etc. Up until very recently, it was part of a significant private collection for thirty years and is accompanied by a letter from the previous owner’s son that helps corroborate the current odometer reading of 26,089 miles from new.

This low owner, low mileage example of one of Mercedes-Benz’s most exciting flagship saloons is offered for sale with its Owner’s Manual, original first aid kit, V5C and an MOT Certificate valid until July 2021.

Over the years, all Mercedes models move from being ultra-desirable status-symbols to becoming second-hand cars for a year or two and eventually, at an undefinable point in time, people start to remember just how good they were and the market changes with excellent examples becoming collectable. We think the 1980s S-Class has moved through that curve and is rapidly in the ascendancy with examples like this gorgeous, 26,000 mile, 560 SEL becoming unrepeatable.