Story Mike Spicer
Photos Mike Spicer and Mercedes-Benz Media Archives
Growing up the Mercedes-Benz W126 was at the top of the food chain for luxury cars and seeing one cruise down the road made a very memorable impression on me. If you drove one you were a “big deal”. When a smoke silver 1989 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL came across my radar for sale in the early-2000s it was a no brainer to grab it. Just an old car in everyone’s eyes, but in my mind I was a dignitary/captain of industry using it for daily activities. Taking my kids to school in the morning I felt like I was driving royalty as they sat in the back being chauffeured around. I was driving in style.
Designed by Bruno Sacco and built from 1979-91 it was one the sleekest designs on the road when introduced, hiding the windshield wipers under the hood etc. It also housed many technological advances like anti-lock brakes and airbags to name a few. The 1973 fuel crisis was still fresh in customer’s minds so the car was built with better fuel economy than pervious flagship Mercedes-Benz models. Engineers were able to make it lighter, stronger and safer all at the same time.
Mercedes-Benz engineers would make the best possible car they could and the accountants would price it accordingly. Sales were cruising along great, the United States economy was doing extremely well, then in 1986-87 other car manufactures wanted to ensure their piece of the luxury car pie. Honda’s Acura division was successfully started. Practically all luxury carmakers foreign and domestic were enjoying record sales. Now it was time for Mercedes-Benz to focus on competitors so they discreetly started advertising campaigns leaning on their heritage and pedigree. This worked until 90-91 when luxury cars became a harder to sell. At this point they pivoted their campaigns toward selling points of dependability, crashworthiness, and resale value.
That’s why my thinking is 1991 is the last year of a Mercedes-Benz where they did not have to cut corners in any way (exception w124 500E 90-95). Mercedes-Benz built the W126 with the goal of making the best car possible while exuding power and sophistication, the styling and design in my eyes has aged quite well. I go to German car shows and use to park in the parking lot, now these cars are in the show!
Over time some parts for these cars have become hard to find so I squirreled away a few parts cars as donors in case I need something that is no longer available from conventional suppliers. Another factor to successful ownership is having a good Mercedes-Benz mechanic that knows these cars backward and forward is key to ownership.
I love the feel on the road and the smooth ride. It’s a classic I have held onto over the years and if it wasn’t clear to me at the time it sure is now, these cars are special and the tag line used by Mercedes-Benz “The Best or Nothing” still rings very true for me today.
