1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC

This 1983 500 SEC is truly a testament to its owner's care and dedication. With its history of only two previous owners in its first three years before finding a long-term home, it's clear that this car has been cherished from the beginning. 

Clocking in at 136,733 miles, it's remarkable to note that the majority of these miles were accumulated within the first two decades of its life. This early period of active use likely contributed to the car's character and patina, reflecting the era in which it thrived. However, what's perhaps most remarkable is the significant decline in mileage over the past 18 years. 

This decline in usage has effectively frozen the car in time, preserving its '80s charm and ensuring that it remains in exceptional condition today. Such careful preservation is a rare find in the automotive world and speaks volumes about the owner's commitment to maintaining this classic Mercedes. With its rich history and well-maintained state, this 500 SEC stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic automobiles.

Finished in what's believed to be the original colour of Orient Red, the Mercedes presents very well. It received some paintwork several years ago to freshen it up a little, and now there are a few minor, very minor, marks, but nothing excessive. 

Looking at the car head-on, the deep spoiler gives the Mercedes a slightly more aggressive look. The bumpers and grille were colour-coded from the factory, giving a modern look, considering this was in 1983. The headlights and indicators are in good condition, and the bonnet aligns as it should, with an equal gap against the wings. 

Around to the sides, the body-kit continues down the length of the coupé. This fits well and is in line with the doors, which also have an equal gap. The windows all appear in good condition with no noticeable scratches, not that it matters for the side windows as these are best left down so everybody can appreciate the fantastic looks of the pillarless coupé. 

The rear end is finished with the body kit and boot spoiler, which are again in good condition. The badges are in good order and brightly finished, and the iconic ribbed rear lights are free from damage. Fun fact - the ribbed Mercedes lights were designed like this to repel dirt, keeping them cleaner for longer. 

Originally, the car looked like it came with cross-spoke wheels like the spare. These have been upgraded at some point to BBS RT Lorinser split rims with a colour-coded centre. There is some white worm on the rims, but these could easily be split and polished. The Continental tyres are all matching and have a good amount of tread remaining.

Take yourself back to 1983 and imagine opening the door of this luxurious coupé. Trimmed in Palomino leather (254), the car was at the top of the tree when it came to luxury. 

The electric front seats were specced with orthopaedic backrests and have worn remarkably well, with just a minor amount of colour wear to the driver's bolster. These were also fitted with luggage nets as an optional extra which are still in place. The rear seat is in excellent condition and doesn’t appear to have seen a great deal of use. Both door cards are in good condition with no signs of damage. 

The dashboard is free from splits or cracks, and the burr walnut trim is also in good condition. This has come unstuck just by the ignition switch but should stick back down easily enough. The instruments are working correctly, and the odometer shows a reading of 136,733 miles. The head-unit has been upgraded to a Sony CD unit, and all of the switchgear appears to be in good condition, with just the smallest amount of wear to the lettering on the indicator stalk, which is less than you would expect for the mileage covered. 

The carpets match the colour of the seats and are in excellent condition, thanks to the set of factory rubber mats used. The driver's footrest has a small amount of wear and discolouration, in keeping with the mileage. The headlining is generally in good condition. It has started to sag a little on the rear passenger side, but this is only a small amount and could possibly be rectified by an automotive upholsterer. 

Inside the boot is clean and tidy. The warning triangle, jack, and wheel brace are in place, along with the spare wheel and the all-important spanner to remove the BBS centre caps without damage.

The 500 SEC's fantastic 5.0-litre V8 powerhouse sits in the engine bay. The whole engine bay presents well, with no signs of leaks around the engine. Looking down onto the chassis legs and inner wings, they appear to be free from corrosion. 

The engine fires up without hesitation and runs with no issues reported by the vendor. The automatic gearbox changes smoothly, and the Mercedes pulls strongly through the gears, as you would expect.

There are no issues reported with the suspension, and the brakes bring the car to a stop in a straight line with no juddering through the pedal. 

Looking at the underside, this is in excellent condition for the car's age, with minimal signs of corrosion or damage to the underseal. The suspension components also look in good order, with just a light amount of surface rust.

If you remember earlier, we mentioned that the Mercedes covered most of its miles up until the early 2000s. Since then, the car has been used very little. In fact, over the last ten years, the average mileage is just 90 miles per year. 

Even with such little mileage being covered, the vendor has ensured that the car was taken for an MoT test so it is ready to use whenever it is needed. 

There are plenty of previous MoT certificates included, and the current MoT is valid until the 31st May 2024. Also included are some previous invoices for work carried out and parts purchased dating back to 1986. 

It is always nice to see the original owner’s handbooks and service book have stayed with the car for all these years. Even better, they show that regular servicing was carried out while the car was covering the bigger part of its mileage journey.

The Mercedes 500 SEC is a pretty rare car nowadays, finding one with just two previous keepers within the first three years and then going on to a 38-year ownership is almost unheard of. 

This was one of the ultimate luxury coupés of the 1980s, it was a coupé for the rich and famous to indulge in. 

Experience the luxury with this extremely desirable 1983 500 SEC model, which is estimated to fetch between £25,000 - £35,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.