Classic long wheelbase limo
The Bruno Sacco-designed Mercedes-Benz S-class is one of those vehicles that talks to a different era, when the company was producing ‘bank vault’ cars that felt like they were built to a standard regardless of cost.
As we noted in a feature in the W126 series: “Pricing back then was even more sobering than it is now. As the range neared the end of its run in 1989, a 300SEL (long wheelbase six) would set you back $135,000, while the range-topping 560 SEL (V8 long wheelbase) was closer to $205,000. Back then, that upper number would have bought you a pretty nice house in any capital city in the country. In some places it would have got you a mansion.”
This example is a long wheelbase version. The SEL adds a considerable amount of extra room for the rear seat passengers and has a taller turret than the already substantial SE. The extra wheelbase means it has an exceptional ride as a highway car.
The powertrain is the 4.2lt V8 with four-speed transmission.
It’s said to have had two owners and just 47,000km on the odo, and so is reported to be in exceptional condition.
Young Timer Garage in Melbourne has it, priced at $55,990.