1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL

This compelling V126 was supplied new by Mercedes-Benz dealers Castles of Leicester in January 1983. The original keeper specified sophisticated Petrolgrün Metallic (Petrol Blue-Green Metallic -877) paintwork over grey velour upholstery. Other desirable factory extras included ABS, electrically operated sliding sunroof, electric windows, headlamp wash / wipe system and even “Illuminated rear ashtrays and cigar lighters, left and right.” No expense spared!

The second keeper acquired the V126 in June 1986. At that stage the S-Class had covered just 29,830 miles and the princely sum of £18,365 changed hands to seal the deal. The second owner clearly loved the V126 as they retained the SEL for a full 35 years before parting with it in 2021. Current owner, Mark, took ownership in February 2025 to become the SEL’s fourth keeper in 43 years.

With an average annual mileage of just 2,400 miles and an impressive original specification, this V126 looks ready to be enjoyed by its next lucky owner.

The V126 was overtly modern looking when it first appeared in 1979. This revolutionary, for Mercedes, approach was all the more blatant thanks to the slightly garden-shed-esque brutalism of the outgoing W116. Most loved it. Some were a bit shocked. This example is a pre-facelift model and hence features the contrasting grey and ribbed Sacco panels which were later smoothed off and painted. For the V126 purist this configuration will likely represent “peak S-Class.”

As Fraser alludes to in his introduction, this car’s original Petrolgrün Metallic paintwork offers up a distinctly iridescent character. It also suits the car’s period very well indeed and will be sure to appeal to Mercedes-Benz connoisseurs. Considering its age, the overall impression is strong with all panels exuding a good shine. The front end is particularly impressive to our eyes with large, oblong headlamps bracketing that iconic, if somewhat truncated, radiator shell. The “gunsight” three-pointed star, headlamp wipers and grey, acrylic bumpers only add to this elegant limousine’s impressive road presence.

Given the S-Class’s age it is unsurprising to learn that our consignment team report some areas of imperfection. These mainly comprise stone chips, including some that have been touched in, areas of obvious paint repair and a few scratches and scuffs. These have been captured by our photographer for your review.

The “modern but austere” character of the V126 can be neatly summarised by this car’s wheels. Our S-Class rolls on 14-inch steel wheels adorned with the distinctive Mercedes-Benz full-face wheel trims. These were designed to ape more expensive alloys and do a pretty good job, too. These are marked up in places but are notable for their charming originality. A generous helping of tyre sidewall is in evidence, too, courtesy of the 70-profile Uniroyal radials. These are date-stamped from 2014 and exhibits some cracking and perishing to those lofty sidewalls.

If you think those wheel trims and Sacco panels are “of their time,” wait until you see the interior! The upholstery is courtesy of a grey, self-patterned fabric for the seats’ centre panels and smooth grey velour for the outer bolsters. To our eyes it’s a fine period feature of this spacious 1980’s continent crosser. The 105,000 miles this S-Class has covered appear to have done little to trouble its generously upholstered seats. Their condition appears good indeed with no obvious signs of wear and absolutely no tear.

This long-wheelbase model gifts an additional 140 mm of legroom to its rear passengers. It is impressively roomy back there and wedge-shaped footrests are even included to help maximise passenger comfort. Door panels combine safety-conscious deformable foam with more of the self-patterned grey fabric. There is even a splash of glossy wood veneer in evidence so as not to make life too austere in this prestigious Benz.

Up front the large four-spoke steering wheel and large, crystal clear VDO gauges will be reassuringly familiar to many, having been widely used across the sprawling Mercedes-Benz model range. More glossy veneer adorns the dashboard fascia and centre console. Another Mercedes signature, in the form of the zigzag transmission gate, can be found here, too. A modern Pioneer head unit has been fitted but the original Blaupunkt Melbourne radio cassette unit is also included.

The boot is both impressively commodious and nicely trimmed with grey, hardwearing carpet. A spare wheel and accompanying tools are safely housed beneath the boot floor.

In true Mercedes-Benz style, the company completely reworked the 380’s engine fairly early in its life. To address pending emissions regulations the V8 M116 unit had both its bore and stroke marginally changed. Power was slightly down at 201 bhp but both torque, economy and refinement were all improved. This 3839 cc unit featured continuous mechanical Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and was paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. This configuration delivered a sub-10-second 0-60 mph and a top speed approaching 130 mph.

Lifting the bonnet reveals an engine dominated by its centrally placed steel air filter housing. Compared with modern cars there is a refreshing absence of plastic covers and, hence, much to see and appreciate. What can be seen appears clean, original and well cared for. Inner panels look clean and well painted and the requisite date plates are present and correct. The only obvious issue is that the under-bonnet insulation has vanished leaving a somewhat scruffy residue of glue and insulation fragments.

The underside appears solid overall with plenty of original, textured underseal still in evidence. The exhaust system appears quite new despite the presence of an unorthodox exhaust hanger consisting of some twisted wire. There is a little surface corrosion in the inner wheel arches.

The V126 is accompanied by a substantial history file containing useful provenance and supporting paperwork. This includes the current V5 registration document. This classifies the SEL as an Historic Vehicle and, as such, exempt from requiring an MoT and zero rated for road tax. An earlier MoT in hard copy is also on hand.

The remainder of the archive includes the original book pack. This consists of various user manuals and the all-important service record. The latter contains 16 service stamps and a number of brake fluid service stamps. The last of the service stamps is dated April 2025 and was performed at 101,416 miles – approximately 4,000 miles ago. Other documents include some maintenance invoices and the used car sales invoice from 1986.

The W/V126 was a tour de force in almost every respect. It emphatically modernised the S-Class by combining Teutonic efficiency with a pragmatic helping of understated luxury. It was a timely reminder that wealth, status and prestige can be all the more satisfying when worn discreetly.

Given the impressive production numbers achieved by the second iteration of S-Class, original and period-correct examples are surprisingly hard to find. In that context we expect this one to prove popular. It is the rarer long wheelbase version, features plenty of well-considered factory options and boasts a charming, 1980’s-appropriate livery. So, what are you waiting for? Bid today to avoid missing this rare and attainable ownership opportunity.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £5,000 - £8,000.

This auction has 5% (+ VAT) buyer's fees on top of the 'hammer', minimum £600.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.