Background
The W126 Mercedes S-Class range was available to the public for a 14-year period between 1979 and 1992, a relatively long production run at the time but one that speaks volumes as to the correctness of the car’s original design and engineering.
The second model range to bear the S-Class designation, the W126 was originally offered as a three-box saloon with either a straight-six or a V8 petrol engine, or a turbocharged diesel. The C126, the two-door coupe version, was introduced in 1981 and additional engine options were made available throughout its life.
The model name still reflected the engine capacity back then (I know; didn’t that make life simpler?), which means that the 380SEC you are looking at here is fitted with the 3.8-litre V8 engine that develops 200bhp and 232lb/ft of torque, enough for 9.6 seconds to 60mph and a top speed of 130mph.
The W126 is relatively heavy because it’s stuffed full of early adopter safety equipment including an optional driver’s airbag (available from 1981), passenger’s airbag (from 1987), traction control (1987), anti-lock brakes (optional until 1985, standard thereafter) plus seat-belt tensioning, crumple zones, and fluted taillights (which cleverly allowed the car to be seen from the rear even when it was dirty) from the very beginning.
Just over 11,000 380SECs were built but the attrition rate has been high, making survivors like this exceptionally rare.
