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1980 Mercedes-Benz Carat Duchatelet Cullinan!

In the 1980s, there was a wide selection of unique customization options for vehicles, especially large-scale companies that specialized in putting brand new cars under the knife. One such coachbuilder was Belgium’s Carat Duchatelet, who outfitted this 1980 Mercedes-Benz S-Class that Barn Finds reader Russell G found here on eBay with a handful of exclusive modifications.

This example is available in West Jordan, Utah. The seller notes that the vehicle was recently imported from Japan and uses a gauge cluster that reads in kilometers. Despite this, the sedan has its steering wheel on the left-hand side.

As part of the coachbuilder’s Cullinan trim for the classy W126 chassis, one could add a ground effects kit to the sedan. This example features these items, and it’s arguably the highlight of this Benz’s exterior, providing a subtle but sporty flair.

According to 1000sel.com, a website specializing in information regarding tuning and coachbuilding during the 1975-95 era, each Carat Cullinan used a time-consuming process for the exterior paint job using 48 layers of paint, 30 being clear varnish. The result is an eye-catching finished product, still holding up excellently after over 30 years.

Though many examples of the coachbuilt S-Class featured Centra’s Type 31 wheels, this one has multi-piece BBS wheels. Unfortunately, a few of the wheels have some light curb rash, but it isn’t anything that some elbow grease can’t fix.

The interior of this Benz features a variety of electronics, with the seller even admitting that the sedan “has more electronics than you would ever need.” From the looks of it, someone installed most of the equipment during the late ‘90s or early 2000s, but the seller claims that all of the vehicle’s electronics is in working order.

This example features an option replacing the glove compartment with a TV, though it seems the TV was also upgraded with (slightly) newer electronics.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.8-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, which pairs to an automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels. This Benz sedan has only traveled 81,381 miles during its lifetime.

The seller is asking $15,000 or best reasonable offer for this unique Benz, which is a pretty penny, but definitely less than it would have originally cost through Carat Duchatelet back in the day. Do you think this coachbuilt Benz is worth it, or would you rather a less custom and less expensive W126 sedan?

Comments

  1. Avatar macvaugh

    Not BBS wheels.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Russell Glantz Staff

    Thanks for picking up this one, I saw it and submitted it, but couldn’t find the right words to write for it.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar exbenzo tech

    Before writing stuff about cars, you may want to find out the actual year of the car.
    I always thought that 280se came strictly with manual climate control.
    Could this car have been a V8 originally ?
    Also this car has leather , power windows, and power seats, another strange thing for a 280se.
    I think this was a 380se or 500se originally.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Nick

      The one Benz in the world where they blow up a V8 and stick a six in it?, no way. It’s a Euro market car via Japan, it may have a mish/mash of parts but that doesn’t mean it was a V8 car.

      Like 4
  4. Avatar Scott

    I’m in agreement higher engine spec model originally

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Dan

    The VIN decoder says the following for this one: WDB1260221A147499

    Parameter Value
    Ident. number (FIN) WDB1260221A147499
    VIN WDB1260221A147499
    Baumuster 126022
    Sales name 280 SE
    Order number 0 4 217 10414 (Destination: Branch Frankfurt)
    Delivery date 1985-03
    PAINT1 355 ANTENNA FOR TAXI-RADIO COMMUN.ON LEFT REAR FENDER
    Interior color 972 No code designation available
    Engine 110989 12 086227
    Gearbox 722300 02 622874

    Parameter Value
    221 LEFT FRONT SEAT, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
    222 RIGHT FRONT SEAT, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
    240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
    254 RADIO MB AUDIO 30 – USA
    355 ANTENNA FOR TAXI-RADIO COMMUN.ON LEFT REAR FENDER
    410 No code designation available
    420 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-GEAR
    430 HEADREST IN THE REAR, LEFT AND RIGHT
    442 No code designation available
    470 ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
    470 *1 _______ 19780601 ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
    470 *2 _______ 19700401 FAN CLUTCH
    470 *3 _______ 19661201 SPECIAL EXPORT VERSION 3
    506 No code designation available
    531 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
    570 FOLDING ARMREST, FRONT
    588 No code designation available
    590 ALL-ROUND WD-GREEN GLASS,HEATED REAR WINDOW-VSG
    682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
    812 REAR-MOUNTED LOUDSPEAKER
    835 SOUTHERN KOREA-SUPPLEMENTARY PARTS
    972A No code designation available

    Like 3
  6. Avatar JimmyinTEXAS

    If anyone read the sellers comments on fleabay he stated it is an 85 but he listed it as an 80 because fleabay wouldn’t accept the vin as a 85.
    I just wish he had taken it outside to shoot a few pictures. The reflections inside make it look like a two-tone in about half the pictures.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar peter r

    Mercedes offered a 6 in this body style with either a 300SE or 300SEL designation – slower than the 380 or 560 series V-8s also offered. But you could get a 6 from the factory. Again I think the price is high. given the mileage somewhere around $10k would be full value given the engine. Left drive for luxury cars is normal in Japan. I’ve owned three cars all left hand drive that originally sold in Japan. one was an M5 and the others were a 560SEC and a 560SEL. Since they were based on the Euro versions, they tended to have more power than those sold directly to North America.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar WJSVB

    The engine is a 110 DOHC 6cyl, offered from 1968 (iirc) in 114’s to 1980’s as a (US) base engine on S, E and C cars. The

    Like 0
  9. Avatar john c

    All that info is great ! A fine looking automobile,. but does it have a cupholder?

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Chinga Trailer

    So the Belgians get phenomenal chocolate, incredible waffles and this. We get Hershey’s, Waffle House and stretch Lincolns. So,uh just how are they making America great again??

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Gemsetter

    I’ve got to say, it’s elegant and a real eye-catcher! Modern vehicles just don’t have this kind of style. I have owned 2 Mercedes in the past, and enjoyed driving them. They are fine cars but with a greater cost to keep on the road. If I had the $$$$, I’d buy this beauty!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Ray Krause

    Varnish ??

    Like 0

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