This 1984 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC is a barn find example that wears a period-correct AMG body kit and other era-appropriate modifications. The big W126 coupe is a looker, especially with ARE five-spoke wheels and navy blue Recaro sport seats. The seller points out this is a European market model, so depending on whether any federalization occurred, it should enjoy a boost in performance as well. Find it here on craigslist for $6,500.
The Mercedes cleaned up nicely after leaving its barn confines, and the body kit thankfully appears intact with no signs of cracking or damage from contact with the ground. While the look went out of style in the 2000s, this five-spoke wheels are coming back – but I’d still rather see this 500SEC on period-correct BBS wheels. Note the European-market glass headlamps.
Some AMG-tweaked cars never received any sort of performance enhancements, as that would up the bill substantially for owners who were already checking some big boxes for the aero kit. The cars that got the full treatment, with both the cosmetics and output being improved, are highly prized by collectors today. No mention in the ad of recent work under the hood.
The passenger side looks equally clean, and we can see clearly that the kit consists of a front air dam, side skirts, and rear apron. No trunk spoilers here, and that’s a very good thing. With the windows down, the B-pillar disappears and these become truly open-air coupes – and like any 80s era Mercedes, they’re built for long-haul cruising. Awesome project car.
It’s nice to see a seller that actually washes the barn dirt off of the car, instead of leaving it for the new owner!
Hot
Dude was hiding for all of these years from Crockett and Tubbs…only to be found by Barn Finds.
I was thinking final scenes from the movie Roadhouse.
Personally i feel that the AMG ground effects detract from the look of these beautifully designed cars. My ex Bil had one and we took a few long trips in it. Like being in a spaceship, smooth and quiet, tons of power and awesome and stable at interstate speeds.
The quintessential 80’s status symbol. All that’s missing is a set of body-color Ronal R9 wheels.
Ok I kinda like these but I would rather have AMC in the barn. A 70 Hornet…
From the ad: “Ran when parked”
did they call them “executive car”?
Wouldn’t mine 1 but the (W123) 300TDi is the 1 for me…
I currently own one of these 500 SEC- 1984 also, it was my Dream Car…beautiful designed…”The Best or Nothing”….. The only I did to it was replacing the MB V-8 (5liter) with a horror of horrors…OMG.. a Ford 302 Mustang GT with fuel injection. I was tired of shelling MEGA BUCKS for MB parts. Since I have my own shop thus the labor was free! With this combo it runs excellent and nobody knows what’s under the hood! This example here looks decent but I would avoid it due to the fact that it’s a Euro model parts are very expensive! Best of luck to the next owner..better have a deep pocket!