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1982 Mercedes 500sec! 35,727 Original Miles! Original Owner! Collector's Dream! on 2040-cars

Year:1982 Mileage:35727
Location:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

This WAS my father's Mercedes.  35,727 original, DOCUMENTED miles.  My parents are the ORIGINAL US owners of this car.   NO ACCIDENTS.  I have documentation and receipts back to 1983.  The reason that the mileage is so low is that this was always an "extra" car.  It was first titled and registered in New York, where it was mainly driven during the summer, and never driven in snow.  In February of 1991, the mileage was 24,710.  At the New York State inspection in 2001, the mileage was 29,056.  In 2005, the last year it was registered in New York, the mileage on the inspection sticker is 30,268.   These inspection mileage numbers are from New York State registered repair shops.  The car was shipped to Florida in 2005, where it was used only during the winter - very part time at that, and then garaged and stored during the summer.  My parents gave me the car a little more than two years ago after they replaced it with a new car, which, incidentally, they use much more than they used this one, and which I think has less than 2,000 miles on it - a true testament as to the low mileage of this great Mercedes.  I have put more mileage on the car in two years than they did in ten.  The title was not transferred in order to maintain the continuity of ownership.  It was an "extra" car for me as well, but recently I have been using it as my daily driver.  I'm selling it because I don't want to keep putting miles on it and I don't currently have a garage to store it in.

This is a very rare and special car.  Based upon the VIN, I believe it is the 844th one Mercedes built (000844) out of the entire production run.  From the data I found, the W126 was manufactured from 1981 to 1991, and the total production of the coupe was about 31,000 units.  Worldwide.  Over 11 years.  In the early 1980's, Mercedes did not directly import the 500 Series S class.  The 380 was seen as underpowered - especially for the top of the Mercedes line.  (Top was top. The MSRP on this car was about $50,000 at a time when the median price of a house in the US was about $67,800.)  There was a demand for the bigger motor and a "gray" market developed whereby the 500 models were imported and federalized.  This car was not only federalized mechanically, but the cosmetics were also done. Mercedes did directly import the 500 Series S class in 1984 and 1985, and this car looks identical to those models.  It does still have a few vestiges of its German origin, however.  The turn signal/wiper stalk and the cruise control stalk both have German lettering, which is faded.  The radio has German language controls. There is a sticker under the HVAC controls that is in German.  The temperature dial is in degrees Centigrade rather than degrees Fahrenheit.

I have put over $6,000 into the car during the past two years.  New AC compressor - the AC blows cold.  New spark plugs.  Brake system flushed.  Cooling system flushed.  Transmission power flushed.  Power steering fluid flushed.  All new filters, including the power steering filter which most people aren't even aware that the car has - let alone maintain/replace it.  New spark plugs. New, correct Michelin tires.  New lug nuts.  New hood pad.  New alternator.  New thermostat.  In the past few months, I have had the idle control valve replaced (the part alone was $1,250) and the idle contol module - an early computer - completely rebuilt.  The result?  A recent comment: "I can hardy hear the car (at idle). It's like a hybrid."  The transmission shifts crisply as it should.  You can feel the power of the V8.  The car runs very smoothly and drives very quietly.  In fact, it runs and drives so well that you think you're in a much, much newer car. You can feel the quality.  This car was "it" in the early 1980's and you can tell.  It is a great and fun car to drive.

Just about everything on the car is original and from the factory.   Original radio.  Try finding another one of this era with its original radio still intact.  I believe the original spare is in the trunk.  Original tool kit.  Original first aid kit.  The car was repainted to the factory correct color code in 1999, at which time the hood was replaced with a correct Mercedes aluminum hood.  The hood alone cost over $2,300 - then.  Original engine and transmission (of course). Etc., etc., etc. Please note that this car has a German VIN.  It is WDB12604412000844.

So, what's wrong with the car?  When I got it, I had the car totally checked out, and I have since taken care of everything that has to do with the smooth, comfortable and safe driving of the car.  My next step was going to be to the body and interior, and then finish with the rest of the nits.  I considered doing this and then selling the car, but I was reminded that the buyer of the car will most likely want to do that themselves.  The car needs a paint job.  There are three small, non-structural rust spots.  The interior needs some work.  The driver's seat has wear.  The front passenger's seat has some wear.  The headliner needs to be replaced.  For the car to be perfect, the back deck fabric should be replaced.  There is a small tear in the driver's seat.  All of this is a result of the Florida sun.  The radio turns on and the antenna works fine, but there is no sound. It can find a station on AM but not FM.  It may just be a fuse.  The cruise control engages but doesn't hold speed.  It sort of pumps the throttle.  The instrument panel lights don't work.  It is most likely the rheostat, which is supposed to be an easy fix.  There is caulking around the trunk and rear tail lights that needs to be cleaned up/removed, which should be done as part of a good paint job anyway.  The sunroof opens but is very difficult to close.  It most likely just needs to be lubricated.  The automatic door locks do not work. That's it.  So with a little time and money you can easily have a #1 show winner.  Keep in mind, though, that this is a 32 year old car.  It isn't perfect.  If it was, it would be worth at least $25,000.

I have the original German language owner's manual, as well as a US owner's manual for a 380SEC.  In addition, I have an original 1982 English language Mercedes 380/500 SEC brochure.  I also have all 3 keys.  These items all go with the car.

I've tried to be as thorough as possible, and I've also included pictures that help to describe the car.  There are pictures of the data plate under the hood, the manufacturer's plate on the driver's door jam, and of what I believe is the Mercedes build sheet.  There are pictures of the exterior, including close-ups to show the rust spots and the condition of the paint.  There are pictures of the interior and the odometer.  The mileage is a few hundred miles more now - again one of the main reasons why I'm selling the car.  There is a picture of the registration and inspection stickers on the windshield, which are from 2005.  There is a picture of an oil change sticker on the inside edge of the driver's door from 2/1991.  I haven't removed any of these stickers as they are part of the documentation that goes with the car.  The lack of wear and tear and of scant use is evident everyplace.  If it weren't for the sun damage, you'd swear you were looking at a new car.

I have set a low reserve and a very reasonable starting price.  Look at the other cars like this one out there.  They are either priced much, much higher or are basket cases.  Not ONE is the original owner.  The parts on this car alone are worth quite a bit more than the reserve.  I am a car enthusiast myself and I know the car's potential.  If it isn't obvious, I love the car.  I'm only selling it because I don't have the space to restore it as I had intended.  I am also offering the car locally, so I reserve the right to end the auction early.  

$500.00 deposit immediately due by Paypal from the winning bidder as soon as the auction ends.  The balance is due within 48 hours by wire transfer.  If you are local, I can meet you at your bank if you would prefer to pay by cashier's check or cash.  

The car is in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  I am willing to work with a buyer on shipping.  Once the title transfers, all risk and responsibility shift to the buyer.  I know Barett-Jackson Auctions recommends Reliable Carriers.  They are probably a good start if you wish to have the car shipped to you.  I am also ok with international buyers, however, again, it is totally the buyer's responsibility to be sure that the car meets all laws and regulations of whatever country they want it shipped to, and to take care of all customs and duties and all necessary paperwork.  If you'd like to take delivery of the car in person, I would be happy to pick you up at the Fort Lauderdale airport.  

35,727 ORIGINAL miles.  ONE registered owner since 1983.  ORIGINAL factory parts.  LOW production number.  RARITY.  With real estate it's location, location, location.  With cars, it's mileage, originality, rarity, documentation, and ownership and vehicle history.  THIS CAR HAS IT ALL!  IT IS A COLLECTOR'S DREAM!  DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY!

NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING THE CONDITION, DRIVEABILITY OR ANY OTHER ASPECT CONCERNING THIS CAR.  THIS CAR IS BEING SOLD "AS IS", "WHERE IS". PROSPECTIVE BUYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INSPECT THE CAR IN PERSON OR TO ARRANGE FOR AN INSPECTION.  PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS.  I HAVE TRIED TO AS EXHAUSTIVE AND COMPLETE AS I COULD IN MY DESCRIPTION AND THE PICTURES, HOWEVER, I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN ERROR.

THANKS FOR READING MY AD!  



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