If the 80s were about affluence, power and opulence, there were few cars better suited to express it than the W126 S-Class. It was big. It was luxurious. It was sleek. But it was also smart. Safe. And as the tagline stated at the time, engineered like no other car in the world. In short, it was uncompromising. It was the Flagship of the Mercedes-Benz product line, commanding a sticker price of over $65,000. With an incredible 12-year production run, no S-Class before or since has captured the essence of what it means to be a flagship for longer. It continues to be used in film and popular culture as the iconic Big-Body Benz and doesn’t get much argument when referred to as classic. The top-of-the-line 126, the 560 SEL, still evokes power and panache like few cars throughout history. The 560 SEL presented here is a perfect example of that. It appears to have been revered by its owners—its current one for 26 years—to remain a statement of elegance and prestige, but with a classic presence that simply cannot be found in today’s luxury cars. While it’s true that 560 SELs—like any Mercedes-Benz—have legendary durability, finding one with less than 100K miles is somewhat rare. This one shows just over 80,000 on the clock with some recent service to assure continued durability. It’s to-order white paint appears to be original and, having been garaged throughout its life, is in excellent condition. Wheels appear to free of curb rash or flaking clearcoat. Inside, the burgundy leather appears to show proper patina with no tears, whilst the wood is free of the crackling that plagues Mercedes from this period. It is a well optioned SEL, including the sought-after reclining and heated rear seats. Find it here on Craigslist in Arlington Heights IL for a very reasonable $7,450.
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