It could have been, but it looked period to me, anyway. It even had an old fashioned AMG badge.
I saw a SEC cabrio just like the one in that video in a local drug/tax etc seizure auction several months ago. I wonder if it was the same car. Ownership like that can't give a car a good life.
aye yi yi....that song is about two minutes longer than it needs to be. However, as my first car was a '71 Deuce (in a different shade of green), it resonated. Lots of fun.
Oh, and did someone say 'cheese grater' in RE: Benzes? Note the sad waste of the very rare 5-speed manual:
Wow, that's a goodie. I wonder who made that bodykit. I am almost certain it is by a firm called "Koenig". No doubt is a period conversion with modern wheels and decals. I hate the grille star...but otherwise, that's pretty cool in a tacky way.
That's not bad at all, good color, and those deep wheels are irreplaceable today.
I still think the C126 lent itself the best to that treatment:
(although I don't like that spoiler)
And of course, it's easy to over-do it:
When I was a kid, I drooled over these things, they seemed more exotic than Lamborghinis. Now, they are as you say, a funny throwback to 80s cocaine dealers.
WOW, boom, that 300CE is actually pretty stunning. Perhaps dated, but at least a little subdued (compared to the we-completely-ruined-an-awesome-design of those modified SECs--blech!!).
I did click on their home page, and I don't know the exact variety of 190, but here's the story. I LOVE the interior....actually, the whole package is really tasteful and sounds like a lotta fun to drive:
Wow. What a deal, too; Bidding "starts" er... stops?.... at $10K!
The license plate sure got it right.... :shades:
Everything else aside, I actually like the wooden steering wheel and shift knob. I could see putting a wooden wheel in my old '69 E100. :P Would an '87 actually have an SRS?
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
It's almost bottom of the line, even the cloth is the basic style - the only lower model would be a carbureted 280S, which actually remained available until 1984. That being said, it's a nice color combo, condition looks fantastic...I have to like it.
....if we're talking about the roll-up windows, check out that 380SE AMG (looks like an NA version--leather interior, etc.) til you look at the....cranks. Just strange, considering how lavish an AMG Mercedes is.
I actually test-drove a 1980 W126 280SE (just for the hell of it, clearly) maybe 12 (?) years ago (it was an automatic--power front windows, manual rears, no sunroof, silver w/the nice blue velour interior). Working ABS. Neat car, and surprisingly fast; I was sort of in the market, but not really considering a gray-market car with semi-limited parts availability.
I noticed that in the 380SE. It's a grey market car though - I am pretty certain all NA spec W126 had power windows.
You could get anything for that 280SE - you'd just have to pay for it. I never understood that weird window arrangement - how much can power window motors cost? If going for 2, why not go for 4? I have seen that on old British cars too. Sounds like a classic example of a grey market car, where everything was an option. I'd say a good half of euro W126 even had hubcaps rather than wheels - hubcaps never were offered on W126 in NA.
If going for 2, why not go for 4? I have seen that on old British cars too.
As a general reference point, back around 1985, GM charged something like $195 for power windows on 2-door cars, and around $270 on 4-door cars. On something like a 1985 Bonneville G or Cutlass Supreme sedan, the only midsize 4-doors left with the stationary rear windows, they charged around $195 if you only wanted power up front, or $270 if you wanted to add power to the vent windows in back, as well.
Now I'm sure those options on a Benz were a lot more money, but I still can't see saving much money by leaving the back windows manually operated.
Have a good trip. You'll probably run into lots of oddities, especially the 80s and 90s Brabus/AC Schnitzer/Alpina modded cars. Are you gonna take a lap around the Nurburgring in your rental too?
I'll find plenty of interest in ordinary parking lots, no doubt. I can't wait to see my first Dacia Logan! :shades:
It's looking like I might not make it to the 'Ring this time...my friend in Switzerland wants me to spend some time there, and although it makes a good base for day trips...Nurburg is a bit of a drive. He's also in a very local mindset, and isn't used to normal North American road trips...he's shocked when I say a 6 hour drive doesn't make me blink.
These days, with most rentals having GPS...they can tell if you took the car around the track. Apparently if you do it, at the very least they ban you from future rentals.
I think he said something to the effect the longest drive he's made is about 2 hours. Of course, for long trips he takes the train as that region actually has a working transit grid.
No end to tackiness around here. Yesterday, at the Giant Supermarket, I saw a 1992-generation S-Class sporting Buick portholes and a V-6 badge that looks like it came off a Camry. If that wasn't bad enough, on the way home I saw a newish DTS with a raised spoiler!
An acquaintance who collects exotic machinery has a Konig SEC with the wide body conversion and the cheese grater sides. These body kits and conversions were designed by Vittorio Strossser who also did Porsche 928 kits. His most notable kit was not a body kit but a twin supercharger conversion for the 928. Two GMC looking 'chargers sitting at an angle atop the V8's valley. It looked like a hot rodder's wet dream. I believe Strosser is still in business and has a presence in the internet.
Both of those sound ridiculous....especially the V6 badge. That's nothing to brag about.
I really hate portholes in anything but a Buick. There's a mid 90s 626 that drives up my street now and then that has a loud fart can and portholes. It could be the lamest car in the region.
They make a nice kit out there somewhere to drop a Chevy crate engine into a Porsche 928 (since rebuilding the Porsche engine costs more than most 928s in total), but I don't think this is quite what they had in mind. I'm not even sure this would be necessary. A stock 928 GTS model goes like stink...and...you can see where you're going!
With SUVs and big trucks seemingly held to no standards regarding lighting, I am sure you are right regarding the foglights. That look predated HIDs, so it isn't an early version of those.
Those headlights are "projector" headlights. They can be quite small. I had a set on my Acura Integra in 1997. They've been overtaken by HID headlights on the fashion front, but they can project very powerful light beam from a small headlamp.
Qbrozen, Not that you need another car, but I see you've been posting/looking at these Volvos....and what do you think of this one? Ebaymotors item number 250515306888 .....sorry i dont know how to make a link. Interested to hear what you have to say about this car.
Comments
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I saw a SEC cabrio just like the one in that video in a local drug/tax etc seizure auction several months ago. I wonder if it was the same car. Ownership like that can't give a car a good life.
Oh, and did someone say 'cheese grater' in RE: Benzes? Note the sad waste of the very rare 5-speed manual:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=257941287&dealer_id=63725339&c- ar_year=1986&rdm=1255697073648&lastStartYear=1981&model=&num_records=50&systime=- &make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engin- e=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZip- Error=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=57850854&showZipError=y&make=MB&keywords_dis- play=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=10&drive=&defau- lt_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&ad- dress=60651&advanced=y&end_year=2001&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=5000&c- ardist=1180&standard=false
At least if it's gonna have a wide kit, they should have wide enpough wheels in the back to match.
Yeah, too bad it was wasted on a 5 speed. I guess if one wants to open a 80s themed drug culture museum this car would fit perfectly!
This one looks much nicer to me:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I still think the C126 lent itself the best to that treatment:
And of course, it's easy to over-do it:
When I was a kid, I drooled over these things, they seemed more exotic than Lamborghinis. Now, they are as you say, a funny throwback to 80s cocaine dealers.
The white convertible is over the top!!
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
http://www.richmondmercedes.com/500%20SEC%20convertible/500sec.html
I'm DYING to see what else this place has in its expensive-flat-tire-dusty-exotic-gaudy-Benzes collection.
I wonder what else is in that garage. It looks like someone is building a 190E EVO II beside it.
The window tint on the cabrio really adds a nice touch.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHARP-1987-Mecedes-Benz-560-sec_W0QQitemZ30035678- - 1219QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item45eea8c4a3
I've never quite understood the 'let's get rid of the airbag and replace it with wood' thing, but then, these cars don't exactly scream logic.
http://www.richmondmercedes.com/190e/190e.html
The license plate sure got it right.... :shades:
Everything else aside, I actually like the wooden steering wheel and shift knob. I could see putting a wooden wheel in my old '69 E100. :P Would an '87 actually have an SRS?
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Those seats look especially nice. Interesting little car. I wouldn't mind having that.
From the home page:
A manual roll up window W126 with a basic interior...something you won't see every day even in Europe. With DOT lights, this car was likely a period grey import.
Custom front end W126
Rare W210...too bad it's not an E60
I think I want to own a shop like that.
Regarding the wood steering wheels - I see them as a 90s thing, I don't know if they were normal back in the day.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I actually test-drove a 1980 W126 280SE (just for the hell of it, clearly) maybe 12 (?) years ago (it was an automatic--power front windows, manual rears, no sunroof, silver w/the nice blue velour interior). Working ABS. Neat car, and surprisingly fast; I was sort of in the market, but not really considering a gray-market car with semi-limited parts availability.
You could get anything for that 280SE - you'd just have to pay for it. I never understood that weird window arrangement - how much can power window motors cost? If going for 2, why not go for 4? I have seen that on old British cars too. Sounds like a classic example of a grey market car, where everything was an option. I'd say a good half of euro W126 even had hubcaps rather than wheels - hubcaps never were offered on W126 in NA.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Yeah, I leave in a few days. It will be tough not to visit any random junkyard and look for odd parts...for cars I don't even own.
As a general reference point, back around 1985, GM charged something like $195 for power windows on 2-door cars, and around $270 on 4-door cars. On something like a 1985 Bonneville G or Cutlass Supreme sedan, the only midsize 4-doors left with the stationary rear windows, they charged around $195 if you only wanted power up front, or $270 if you wanted to add power to the vent windows in back, as well.
Now I'm sure those options on a Benz were a lot more money, but I still can't see saving much money by leaving the back windows manually operated.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
It's looking like I might not make it to the 'Ring this time...my friend in Switzerland wants me to spend some time there, and although it makes a good base for day trips...Nurburg is a bit of a drive. He's also in a very local mindset, and isn't used to normal North American road trips...he's shocked when I say a 6 hour drive doesn't make me blink.
These days, with most rentals having GPS...they can tell if you took the car around the track. Apparently if you do it, at the very least they ban you from future rentals.
Enjoy your vacation!
I really hate portholes in anything but a Buick. There's a mid 90s 626 that drives up my street now and then that has a loud fart can and portholes. It could be the lamest car in the region.
Somehow not surprisingly, there's a devoted following of Koenig Specials in Japan...quite a few youtube videos about these cars.
And speaking of MB, I know I should not be tempted by a W220 But I think this Lorinser conversion is gorgeous...I love the color...and talk about depreciation.
My BIL put them on his Focus. It took everything in me to keep from busting out laughing.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Those tiny headlights on the 911 conversions always seemed a little off to me.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
http://ezinearticles.com/?Projector-and-Halo-Style-Headlights&id=2397610
Not that you need another car, but I see you've been posting/looking at these Volvos....and what do you think of this one?
Ebaymotors item number 250515306888 .....sorry i dont know how to make a link.
Interested to hear what you have to say about this car.
Problem is the miles, however. No matter how well a car is taken care of, there is just so long it can last.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S