Really indestructible?
In 1992 we started at AutoWeek with Klokje Rond, the section in which we take a close look at a car with a respectable mileage. Exactly thirty years ago, a Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL was a guest, with more than three tons on the counter. He seemed indestructible then, but was that really the case?
Mercedes from the 70s and 80s (some more than others) have a reputation for being quite indestructible. So is the S-class W116 and its successor W126. Exactly thirty years ago we had a W116 as a guest in Klokje Rond that contributed to that reputation. A 1979 450 SEL to be exact. One of the last of that generation, because in that year the W126 appeared. A fully developed car, in addition, with a V8 that has been in circulation since 1963 in the nose. If that’s not a recipe for longevity!
The stately Mercedes already had a nice life in 1992. The 450 SEL was thirteen years old at the time and had covered 309,720 km. An age and a mileage at which we don’t immediately jump to attention to receive you in Klokje Rond, but still respectable. The car was bought new in 1979 by the father of the man who brought it to us for inspection in 1992. According to him, it was a car that was really cherished. After its relatively busy first phase of life, the aging SEL only came out in good weather. At most once a week.
That was reflected in the car. Despite its age and mileage, the fat Benz still looked almost like new, both inside and out. On the road with the 450 SEL, we did not discover too great details. The judge did get the impression that the V8 needed to be adjusted a bit better. An engine analysis in the garage confirmed this suspicion. The judge also turned up two worn brake pads on the front of the SEL. Just some maintenance, nothing serious.
The condition of the car reflected not only the build quality, but also how it was handled. The Mercedes-Benz was kept on the road with love and great care. The conclusion was therefore that this example ‘should be able to become a classic without much effort’. Did that work? Yes, of course. Not quite a bit. We are talking about a Klokje Rond inspection from no less than thirty years ago, but this copy is still with us to this day! It has MOT until October of this year. Another nice discovery: the car remained in the possession of the first owner until 2017. Perhaps his son took over the 450 SEL after that? We’d love to hear how it goes.
.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl