Have you often felt that most vintage cars are sorely lacking in utility? Now, if you happen to find a classic truck if your style anyway, no problem. But for those of us who like cars, you may feel like you’re limited to old-school wagons. This custom W126 Mercedes-Benz aims to rectify this challenge, as it has been converted into a pickup and seemingly done quite well. The best part? This 500SEL was apparently built under the watchful eye of a recognized tuning/styling house in Germany, so there’s a good chance you’re not going to find some mess of Bondo and bubble gum underneath. Find it here on eBay for $39,000 or best offer.
The company that built this pickup, SGS Styling Garage, is still in operation today but was clearly at peak performance in the 1980s. They specialized in taking these long-wheelbase sedans and making wild concoctions, with many of these one-off, coachbuilt vehicles heading to the Middle East (surprise, surprise.) But SGC was not just a one-trick pony: the company built some absolutely mind-blowing, show-quality vehicles, including a Porsche 928 with gullwing doors and a Mercedes-Benz 190E Cabriolet. While the sweet spot was certainly Mercedes products, there were numerous other models requested by wealthy enthusiasts around the world.
When you see details like these, it becomes clear the team behind these conversions was making some effort to create a vehicle that looked like it may have come from the factory. In fact, SGS was often in the cross hairs of Mercedes-Benz for various lawsuits involving the names of vehicles and also infringing upon designs that the manufacturer was keen to make but that SGS brought to market first. Needless to say, after a variety of issues related to unscrupulous business tactics, along with a global recession and new restrictions placed on imported custom vehicles in the Middle East, the company declared bankruptcy.
This example was imported from Germany in 2022, suggesting it spent many years in a private collection versus being traded around the world every few years. The seller notes it is a full Euro-spec car, meaning it has a more powerful version of the M117 5.0-liter engine. The interior presents quite well with no obvious damage to the seats or dash, and the woodgrain trim – which is quite fragile – appears to be undamaged. The dash isn’t cracked, either. While it’s difficult to assign a value to a car like this, there’s no doubt that well-made 1980s custom cars are hard to come by, so this is certainly a case of, “Find another one.”
Looks like the answer to a question that hasn’t been asked
I doubt this is anything exotic… looks like a German flower car to me. Gotta admit it’d be fun to pull up to the Home Depot loading lumber into it.
Outrageous on the ask no matter what.
I think I’m in love with it!
Good theory about it being a flower car…
few yrs ago we saw an earlier model coupe done (sorta) this way. It kept ‘comin back’ on “that channel, or this”. May B even sold a time er 2? Wonder where it is. Not coach build.
This one is and so I’d expect a lill more stylish sail panel and less plate-like cab-back. I like the bundt wheel in ’the trunk’ better’n the ones on it. Just an ol skol guy no doubt. I like the way the bed comes up a coupla inches to protect the 1/4s (sides and gate) but would rather see it 2 inches lower, extend over the top of the quarter panels, flush w/it, and roll down over the bright work (those same 1/4ers) as we see on today’s trucks (metal, plastic and spray lined). I’d try’n find a streamlined ‘topper’ for winter use (cover what’s hauled, protect vehicle a bit).
I like it, boxy sail panel and all.. leaves more headroom in the cab. And the liner extending above the painted bodywork is a great place to locate hold-down straps end hooks.
But… (you just knew there had to be one, dincha?) I wonder why the rear edge of the rear door wasn’t filled in? Does it open for some shallow storage bin?
All in all, pretty slick and, in my opinion, worth the ask.
From what I can see the workmamship is excellent yet the design is a letdown. The absolute flat back of the cabin with a plain window stuck there reminds me of sawzall jobs I’d see on the rez back in the day. Then the diamond plate overdoes it. You are not going to be carrying sacks of quikcrete with this car.
Absolutely. I’d have liked to see an elegant wooden bed. Nice car but 39k ? No way Jose or Hose B.
The flat back and diamond plate, yuck. The gas tank filler is kind of a neat solution
This one is for those who have everything and don’t have to make sense anymore.
How much fun it would be to drive up to the big box store and put this in a Pro Parking slot at the front door among the testosterone infused el gigante pickups. But that’s a steep ask.
Paint “Shirk Brothers Plumbing” on the side.
Would be nice with a 6-speed stick!
The design always dies with the rear window.
I agree, I’m a huge fan of Utes! I even have a Ford Durango. What makes or breaks the design is the style (or lack there of) of the “cut-off”/removal of the original roof/rear window. I have seen many “conversions” where I was a fan of the original car. But the conversion style killed the esthetics. And I am always dubious of uni-body car reinforcements if any. The quality of this car appears to be first class. The style is last in the class as far as I’m concerned.
Absolutely. There’s got to be the rear cab of a regular truck/mini truck thats close enough to modify so there’s at least a rounded contour and not simply “cut off”
WOW what treat had no idea Mercedes ever mad something like this
This looks just like the one Junior and the gang down the road built out of a 77 Impala. The upgrade here being the 3/4′ plywood panel is painted instead of bare. I prefer the bare look but just add a coat of varnish to make it shine a little better. Also, plexiglass would be an upgrade too. This resembles the plastic people covered the windows with before storm doors and windows came out. You old timers know what I’m referring to!
I quit reading at $39,000.
Could the fuel filler location, design (none), construction and installation be any uglier.
I think the price has one too many zeros.
Guess there’s no need to say that this would have looked better without the back door shut lines…
Dang. That is really on the cheap. Why? Some body flex they couldn’t lick? There’s a company that offers a conversion kit to make a 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee into a pickup. It looks a hell of a lot better and more complete than this.
El Benzo?
Time to grow my mullet back!
If it was 4 wheel drive I would really consider it.
The 39k is quite steep for ab2 wheel drive conversion.
Somebody been photochoppin’ again?
Very nice but the shower curtain rods on the bed tops along with the redundant use of diamond plate are a gigantic turn off for me along with the back yard hold my beer treatment of the roof line /rear window . Sorry but no.
What? No spray on Rhino bed liner!?!!
Amazing looker Merc and you haven’t lived until you pull into the EMPTY for miles looking “left lane” at 110MPH and 2 seconds later all you see is a MERC hood ornament in your rear-view mirror. It’s freaking AWESOME how fast they are. Sadly, this one has a slushy in it so fun is…reduced. Nice ride just the same.
Ah, the perfect vehicle to roll up to a vintage motorcycle meet with my BMW R75/7 onboard.
Very nice. I’ve seen Mercedes-Benz SEL before, but never as a pickup truck. It’s too bad they were never offered here in the USA.
I’m surprised no one mentioned Travis McGee and his Rolls Royce pickup.
If they had only been more creative with the back of the cab……
Pretty cool! Smyth Performance from RI makes utes like this from VWs, Audis and Dodge Chargers.
Love the look, but 39K…….nope. They need to blend the rear door seams to make flush panels.
Hideous
Reminds me of the farmers around here who buy an old school bus and hack off everything behind the driver’s seat and put a piece of sheet metal to close it off.
Y’all say what you want, but I like it! I like elCamino’s and Ranchero’s too! If it were half that price, I would make a drive to Florida!
I was good until the second pic when I saw no rounded corners on the cutoff, no trim around the rear window, the rear door lines are still there, and the paint doesn’t match. Apparently whomever commissioned the job didn’t have the money to do it right. If they had, with some forethought, a little metal work and better paint this thing could have been really fabulous imo. It still could be I guess, but not without a substantial investment, and definitely not at their asking price.