1989 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEC (W126)

The Stuttgart Collection is a carefully curated selection of cars that were once part of a larger, private, UK-based Mercedes-Benz museum. The cars presented to auction offer a unique opportunity to own arguably the best examples available in today’s market. From the fabulous 500SL delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss himself with a later Mercedes F1 starring role to the modest 230 E saloon at a tantalising No Reserve, each car is on the button with unrivalled history files that detail the diligent maintenance from new.

Elegant and timeless, the Mercedes SEC was a style icon of its era that married everything that was great from the legendary W126 chassis S-Class with Bruno Sacco’s handsome pillarless body. A shape that did not have a bad angle. For many this was the ultimate GT car for long distance touring and a car to which many aspired.

Finished in arguably one of the best colour combinations of Nautic Blue metallic with grey leather, it is equipped with all the usual luxuries of the SEC plus the following optional extra equipment:

• 241 – Front seat left electrically adjustable with memory
• 242 – Front seat right electrically adjustable with memory
• 256 – Rear axle with limited slip differential
• 412 – Electric tilt/slide sunroof
• 440 – Cruise control
• 580 – Air conditioning
• 603 – Headlamp wash/wipe
• 640 – 15-hole alloy wheels
• 677 – Tropical battery
• 812 – Rear mounted speakers
• 873 – Heated seats

Supplied by Hadleigh Ltd of London, the first owner in Central London kept the car until 2002, at which point it had covered just 10,000 miles, but the subsequent owners have enjoyed the car a little more taking the mileage today to 79,005 (at the time of cataloguing). Supporting the mileage is the service record that contains 20 stamps and a large folder of receipts that begin with the original Bill of Sale when new.

All original books and manuals come with the car along with previous registration certificates and MOT Certificates. As the history and condition today show, this SEC has been beautifully looked after from day one. The body is excellent throughout, with matching Michelin tyres all round, the interior is really lovely and the car drives just as it should.

The perfectly apt 420 SEC registration number is generously included in the sale and in summary, this is a lovely, late SEC in great colours with excellent provenance.