1982 Mercedes-Benz 380SEC Base Coupe 2-Door 3.8L

1982 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series Description

1982 Mercedes Benz 380 SEC Coupe (W126/C126), this Classic Beauty was1 ofthe firstof only1732 SEC's to hit our shores in 1982, the very first year this New Flagship of the Mercedes Brandwas granted import into the United States (Europe had 81 SEC's with cloth interior). This Extremely Stylish "S" Coupe got lots of attention, butat $55,000 -crazy money in 82 (aloaded 82 Corvette was less than $20K) and the limitedUS availability even heightened the mystique and drove up sales of other MB models.The 1982 SEC is still the rarest ofall SEC's ever made for US drivers (1991 #2 at around 2000 units).
This particularSEChas an outstanding drive train with plenty of power and no issues, starts right upnot apuffof smoke, no leaks, runs great, and clean from top to bottom - Interior/Exterior/Engine Bay/Trunk, even the undercarriage is clean. The paint is very good, so good it's hard to believe its original but a Mercedes expert said he thinks itslikely aone-repaint of orig color probably done at a MB shop (has some minor scratches and a door ding whichdealer paintless-fixer said not a big deal).Very Good chrome except the trunk 380SEC badgelacked shineso I searched far and wide and finally found a brand new OEM MB 380SEC badge certified partfrom Germany (hard to findthe 380). The super cleantrunk picture showmagazines and dealer stuff, and the largeAUTO WEEK shown is a real-orig dated Nov 23,1981 -This was the first magazine to announce the introduction of the 1982 SEC to the US market, the mail address sticker still has the original clear US name/address on it, also comes with the owners manual (not shown) and, 1982 MB dealer sales brochure. This is not only 1 of the very first 1732 SEC's to hit US soil, out of 1732 - think, even with better kept old Mercedes (vs regular cars) one might guess that all things consideredpossibly5% of the original 1732(86) might be left in condition from good to perfect, and this1 is close to the highest end of thatlone 86!
Months before I lost my job, I made the big purchases, Brand New yes Brand New Grey LeatherBuckets completely swapped out finished in some fine leather he said must come from Calif (Luckily I knew the guy thru friends but still), his shop only doesBenz/Rolls/Bentley interior trim shop so Icaught a break but still $$$; newer nice burlwood (some pics & extra trim w/car). Super clean inside-out- engine bay- trunk- and even the undercarriage, no rust, no hits, no mud - super-straight body, matching numbers car with CLEAN CARFAX & CLEAR STANDARD TITLE IN HAND.Not knowing I would lose my job this was my new baby lastyear and since thenI investedabout $2500 between Buckets, some trim, other parts, and a New A/C system including Compressor and related components (needed for GA/FL heat). And, when nottoooo hot, the sunroof works perfect likenew.I had a 1987 in the mid-90's so when I found this rare 1982Iwas glad to make it mine and have sold everything else I can to keep it but too late must go...
It Needs a new antenna; the vacuum pump in trunk that work the power locks keeps running even when car isoffso I disconnected it- MB MECHsaid since pump works likely a switch, short or wire issues -easy fix; surprise - dash clock does not work; it has a very nice SonyAM/FM CD player in place of the orig radio, and it sounds greatwithgood rearspeakers. Needs new front speakers ($65 forOEM used originals on ebay or new aftermarket speakers around the same). I have a front center console compartment cover(under driver armrest) which is $400+ withthe originalmatching burlwood roll-up-desktype cover- I picked up from another SEC but wood was bad so in process of converting to a fancy center console drink holder (see pic with of parts in with new SEC badge)since 1982's idea of drink holders was 2 round indentationson glove box lid (yeah- right). I know the last owner and he knows the owner before that both in GA and these older guys also had it as their toy and last guy put atonof money into it prior to serious health issues so I was glad to get it! IN THE LAST 2 YEARS BETWEEN HIM ANDIABOUT$6500 WENT INTO THIS CAR AND THAT IS NOT COUNTING THE COST OF THE CAR, SO THIS SEC IS A GREAT BARGAIN AND WHY THIS CLASSIC LOOKS REGAL AND CA RUN THE HIGHWAYS SMOOTH AND STEADY:
CONVERSIONFROM SINGLE TO"DOUBLE-ROW TIMINGCHAIN" INSTALLEDWITH NEW TIMING COVER$$$$$COMPLETE MB TUNE UP INCLUDING NEW PLUGS/ ROTOR PLUG-WIRES; ALL FILTERS; OTHER $$COMPLETE NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM STILL LIKE NEW NO SNOW RAIN HITS IT $$CHROMED LATE 80'S OEM SEC 15 INCH RIMS & NEW TIRES INSTALLED $$$$FRONT END INSPECTION- ALIGNMENT; OIL/FILTER CHANGE - REINSPECTION BY MY GUY FRONT END AND UNDERNEATHPERFECT - LAST 90 DAYS $$NEW A/C COMPRESSOR AND ALLRELATEDPARTS (PREVIOUS CONVERSION TO R134a FREON) TO MAKE A/C FROSTY FOR THE GA/FL HEAT $$$NEW MB OEMPOWER FRONT BUCK SEATSw/TOP QUALITY LEATHER IMPORTEDFROM CA BY VINTAGEMBENZ/ROLLS/BENTLEY UPHOLSTERY-MASTER'S TRIM SHOP $$$NEW OEM STYLE HEADLINER(higher quality from CAbutperfect match) $$NEW "USED QUALITY OLD-STOCK"BURLWOOD DASH & CONSOLE PIECES (2 set for console & center dash, a little lighter & darker sets) $$; other extra OEM smallerinterior trim parts too
And, it runs so goodI think the heads may have been done but have no way toconfirm that as it would have been prior to the 2 owners before me. Since a rare classic I would never part it out but if you add up the parts they are worth way more than you will pay for the entire car. If you love SEC's, don't miss this deal. Thanks for looking & stay safe. Message with questions, available to be driven supervised locallywith ID and insurance card and if you are over 30...or have a wade of cash with you ;)) Thx, Bill