**Please note: The private registration number shown in these photographs is not included with the sale of the vehicle, it will revert to its original age-related registration number as referred to below.**
Highlights
• Incredible original condition • Under 18,000 miles • Fabulous V12 engine • Continuous history • Fastidious owner • Spotless interior
The Background
When Mercedes-Benz needed to replace the W126 S Class, it posed a problem. You see, the W126 was an incredible machine, on the reinvented the definition of what a luxury saloon could be. To top that would be near impossible, surely? Well, for a lesser carmaker, maybe. But for the boffins at Benz, it was no issue at all. The new S, namely the W140 as it was known internally, would take the luxury torch without question.
The W140 is regarded my many to the last of the truly over-engineered Mercedes-Benz models. A product of the Sacco era, it took the reputation of the W126 and brought it into the '90s. It was a brutal, imposing machine, but one that managed to be sleek and sophisticated at the same time. And of course, it was laden with technology and luxury kit. Air conditioning, ABS, airbags, side airbags on later models, double glazing, electric... everything.
It was a flagship car. A celebration of what Mercedes-Benz could do. The car we have here is a glowing example of that. A truly rare find, it's an incredibly early 1992 version, it's the more desirable long wheelbase SEL model and it's only covered a mere 18,000 miles over the last twenty-nine years. Oh, and if all that doesn't have you reaching for the 'bid' button, it's also a V12.
First registered on the 1st of March 1992, this W140 600 SEL was supplied new by Mercedes-Benz dealers Lancaster Europa Cars of Sheffield. The lucky purchaser being Sheffield resident a Mr. Brownhill, who worked within Sheffield’s famous steel and engineering industries. A solid, big Mercedes-Benz was most definitely a car befitting such a position!
Originally registered J373AWF, from 1996 to 2008 it carried Mr. Brownhills personalised plate before reverting back to its J373 number. Its current keeper fitted his own personalised plate, UCC 1, in 2009, but this will not be sold with the car ( & will not be available to purchase ) so will therefore revert back to J373AWF upon sale.
When acquired in 2008 by the vendor, the Mercedes had a little over 12,000 miles under its belt, and in his 13 years of ownership, this has only crept up to 18,000 which equates to an average of only 460 miles a year. Given these cars normally rack up hundreds of thousands of miles, we simply can't stress how incredible of a find this is. The vendor believes this to be just about enough to keep everything functioning properly without spoiling things, and going off the condition in which the car is today, we would be inclined to agree.
It won 'Best in Show' at the Mercedes-Benz Club’s S Class Fest at Gaydon in 2014, subsequently featuring in Mercedes Enthusiast Magazine in July 2015. Then in 2016 at S Fest at the Coventry Transport Museum, the car again won best in show and has probably covered less than a 1000 miles since. It's not every day you're presented with the opportunity to buy a literal award winner!
There is a complete service history with this car in of course it’s original Maintenance Booklet. The dates of servicing are as follows:
02/92 PDI
07/93 352mls
03/95 677
07/99 6998
02/08 10,700
02/10 14,002
04/12 15,377
04/13 15,777
04/14 16,025
04/15 16,765
04/17 17,359
06/19 17,823
Present are all receipts for routine maintenance, parts etc since being acquired by the vendor, with one notable bill from 2009 relating to sorting out a few small issues in his quest for perfection. Every MOT certificate is present apart from two, and there is a V5c with the current keeper’s name and address.
There are also copies of previous registration documents as well as original sales brochures, radio handbook and other leaflets supplied with the car from new and contained in the original folder.
The Mushroom Velour is in, frankly, outstanding condition. Were you to transport this car back to 1992 and plonk it in a Mercedes-Benz showroom, nobody would bat an eyelid. It is utterly astounding how well it has held up. Everything is so incredibly fresh and clean. The door cards, for example, don't have a single mark on them. The kick plates are all mint. Look into the hinges and pillar areas and all that stares back at you is paint cleaner than when it left the factory. This car has clearly never had a hard day in its life. It has certainly never seen dirt. The only issue of note is that the 12V socket doesn't seem to function. But that's about it.
Around the back, in the boot, the light colouring should be a magnet for dirt and marks. It seems, however, that this W140 has never carried anything heavy enough to leave a trace. The carpets are fresh and clean. The warning triangle has never been used, nor has the spare by the looks of it. Speaking of which, with the boot floor raised and the spare on show, a look around it reveals nothing but clean paintwork. No dirt, no damage, no moisture.
Every button works, every switch lights up as it should. Everything is still tight and crisp. There is nothing in the way of significant wear to be observed. Nothing has faded, nothing is broken, even the original Becker stereo is still in place. The rubbers for all the doors are excellent, and each door shuts with a pleasing 'thunk' as you would anticipate from such a car. These cars were built to do hundreds of thousands of miles. At just 18k, this is in effect brand new. There simply can't be a better one available right now.
Presented in Crystal Green metallic, it's believed (and the history and mileage would certainly attest) that the paint is as it left the factory. As you can see though, the colour across the car is uniform from panel to panel. Not only that, but look down the flanks, and there are no ripples or imperfections to observe. It's arrow straight. The panel gaps are all uniform.
Is it 100% perfect? No, of course not. It's twenty-nine years old, but arguably as close to perfect as one can get. There is one very small scrape on the nearside front corner bumper, but apart from this there are no stone chips on the front and the remainder of the bodywork is in great condition. And sadly, the headlight wash/wipe function is inoperative. There are cars twenty-nine weeks old that have more imperfections. Remarkable.
Underneath is just as spotless, but then it does of course currently live in a heated garage. Add to the low miles and it's hard to see how it could be anything but immaculate underneath. It's just a staggering find. One that surely won't be repeated, until you cash your chips in and sell this again in five years, maybe?
Again, here is a car that has been closeted all of its life, especially by it’s current owner. Under the bonnet is a shining example of the powerful Mercedes-Benz V12, putting out just over 400bhp. Not that it shouts about it, of course. The engine is near silent in operation, only daring to shout should you really lean into Sport Mode. Of course, the silence makes the speed of the thing even more surprising. It's a big old machine, but it can hustle. And thanks to a well-engineered chassis, it's surprisingly fun to press on with. It's no SLS, but it responds well to whatever the road ahead should throw at you. And it feels safe, secure and surefooted as it does.
The engine revs cleanly, it maintains temperature without question and it pulls well. The transmission is silky smooth and shifts without hesitation, and all modes work as they should. The brakes are in good health, the tyres too, and this when combined with the silent but still supportive suspension makes for a drive akin to a new car. But, with 18k, it pretty much is a new car, isn't it?
A couple of small jobs, and this car will be quite literally perfect. It is a credit to its past and current owners just how well it has survived. The sad reality of large, luxury cars like this is that for that brief moment when they hit the bottom of the depreciation curve, they're abused and neglected. Come on, we've all seen that tatty 7 Series, or rough old Jag. A lot of luxury saloons don't come out of the other side of that curve. The W140 has though. It is a truly rare survivor. Rarer than some sporty exotica, that's for sure. Not a day has passed where this car hasn't been the pride of someone's collection. To be presented with the opportunity own it is rare.
You're not going to get this chance again. It's a flagship car from a flagship brand in show-winning condition. And given it's one of the most well engineered cars to ever be built, and has only covered 18k, there are many, many years of motoring left in it. Broken in? Being broken in isn't even a twinkle in this W140's headlight yet. Its journey is only just starting, and that journey can only be with you if you get bidding. Oh lord, won't you buy this Mercedes-Benz...
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
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More about buying with us
1992 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL ( W140 )
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