1988 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL – Price – $18,990
VIN ID# WDBCA35D5JA386562
Production Date: 12/87
Mileage: 110,750 (fully documented original)
Exterior Color: Pearl Gray Metallic (DB-122)
Interior Color: Gray Leather
Originally purchased by Collision and Injury Analysis, Inc. (an insurance agency owner) from Stead Motors Mercedes-Benz of Walnut Creek, California on 3/16/88. This highly original 126 model lived a charmed life always garaged and carefully owned in the Golden State. With incredible climate that preserves these cars like no other region in the world. The last owner prior to our acquisition drove it home to his state of New Mexico where it was titled in June of 2015. A steward of multiple collection worthy vehicles, he searched for quite some time to find the best example of a 126. He continued its loving care, keeping it garaged and properly serviced over the next 5 years. Then sold to our client where it was serviced and cared for locally in Los Angeles where we can document the last 3 years of ownership and service history.
Fully documented from new purchase. MB service booklet stamps, dates and mileage records complete the first half of documentation. A clean Carfax fills in the second half of ownership history.
A pristine example still wearing its original Mercedes factory paint (DB-122). The depth, thickness and high original gloss finish are in exceptional shape for its age. Living proof it could have only been preserved like this by extremely careful ownership. There are a few minor scratches that can be found that certainly don’t detract from the vehicle’s overall condition. All original vin tags are stamped on each body panel matching throughout.
The interior condition shows nearly perfect. Leather seat upholstery is all original and soft to touch. It is correct original Mercedes genuine leather without repair or any damage. Seat adjustments are crisp and responsive and operate correctly. Door cards are perfect. Carpet is excellent. Dash-pad is flawless. Zebrano wood is in extraordinary condition without damage or cracks. Headliner is excellent. The sunroof opens and closes and operates as intended. The instrument cluster is the zenith of preservation showing bright orange needles and interior markings you occasionally see on sub thirty thousand mile cars. Quite obviously the product of zero sun damage. An original Becker AM/FM Cassette radio has been retained and works perfectly with sound quality equal to how it was delivered new. The previous owner’s strife to keep the vehicle as original as possible motivated him to send the original Becker unit to the factory in New Jersey. Upon arrival, Becker then had the system corrected for any existing issues and outfitted with Blue Tooth for hands free mobile talking with the option to utilize the tape cassette player disguised as a blue tooth module. Rear seats show negligible use. Rear area surrounding back window shows no sun damage and still houses the original First-Aid kit that is unopened. Rear carpet is flawless as are the rear sections of the front seats that each have fish nets.
The motor starts, runs, drives and operates exactly as Mercedes intended. The shift quality is wonderful, correct and on point. With excellent power on this 4.2L V-8 motor you can easily accelerate and burn on the highway. Steering, suspension and braking systems are all in proper working order and feel excellent. The engine bay is very tidy. The trunk area is also just as clean and the spare tire well shows exactly as it did when it came off the assembly line looking flawless. Untouched trunk bolts. The original tool roll is wrapped in its factory plastic bag having never been opened. The engine bay and trunk have all the correct original vin tag stamps on body panels and hood/trunk areas. A new AC compressor was installed and operates correctly through all vents on a converted 134 system.
15 inch factory alloy wheels over Cooper tires in the correctly sized dimensions with excellent tread.
Equipped with the original spare still wearing the original Michelin tire with unopened tool roll and jack. Square tow cover for grill is included, installed with front license plate bracket.