From the days Mercedes were over-engineered and had proverbial German build quality, combined with their excellent parts supply they will last forever. Magnificent.

This was the car Patrick Swazey drove in movie Road House. The director bought two of them for filming, one was wrecked in the final scenes of the movie and the other was given to Swazey who drove it for years after. Beautiful car.

The horn switch at 4.50 i think allows you to change the sound of the horn from an urban to a countryside setting… I think it’s an extra feature you could purchase on any W126 model.

Benz is the father of the automotive industry. Greetings from Jamaica 🇯🇲

Nothing says you have arrived like a pillarless coupe

I'm happy visiting my local Petrol station weekly, I like the person behind the counter and we have a chat most times....but I don't think our relationship is at thatsee each other every day stage yet 😂😂😂

Hubnut is my favorite KZfaq channel I watch many car channels and as thier audiences grew they forget thier roots. I end up unsubscibing. Hubnut has never abandoned his roots. Ian has evolved the channel without loosing its foundation. Thank you Ian.

Made in the days when Mercedes knew how to make stylish and elegant cars which performed reliably. Thanks for this one, Ian.

When Mercedes weren't run by accountant's!! What a beautiful car👍 another wonderful review Ian and a headlight wiper moment 😊

Looks like a lovely example in Lapis Blue with Parchment leather. Bruno Sacco started working in the styling department at Mercedes in 1959, but the overall design of the W116 is generally credited to his predecessor Friedrich Geiger. Sacco took over as head of design in 1975. The controls on the sides of the seats control the powered adjustable orthopedic lumbar support. The toggle adds or removes air from the bladder in the backrest, and the numbers determine the desired pressure. There is a "one button does everything" to close the windows and sunroof, but it's only for when you're parking and leaving the car. You hold the key in the door lock turned in the lock position for a couple of seconds, and it will close everything up.

I absolutely ADORE the old school SEC models. Amazing Coupe. Proper motorway mile muncher. Supremely comfortable. And that pillarless design.. Oh my...

You nailed it pal. I'm in Australia and have 2 W126, and they are just sensational machines. The over engineering of everything has proven worthwhile now. I love them, and the C126 is the perfect coupe equivalent. Nice job mate 👍

Mercedes of this era were superb. An SEC is on my shortlist.

The horn button will be Town and Country horn-quiet for city and loud fir fast open roads-very cool option only on the top cars (my crazy spec w123 has it too)

Glad you enjoyed the car and thanks for the kind words. 👌

I remember these...the coupe model was a rare beast on our side of the pond. I saw a lot more 560SEL's on the road back in the day. It was the era of the Yuppie here in America, and I think that the crowd that would have liked a big German coupe was drawn to the likes of the BMW 635CSi...

My favorite car of all time! I had a 1990 model in the same exterior color, however mine had Ash interior (light Gray). Those seat controls are for the pneumatic adjustable seats, lumbar support and adjustability. The quintessential road car. The seats were perfect for extended trips. I routinely did long trips between San Diego and Northern California. Performance was superb and ride comfort was second to none.

The Merc transmission of those days was the best in the business, super smooth shifts... I'd say much better than the current ZF boxes... Nice review!

You are 100% correct, this SEC is by far the best design off Mercedes. I miss my 560, amazing car in all ways.

It looks amazing. It might just be the best car ever made

My all-time dream car would be one of the last 500SECs in Nautikblau and with a light grey interior. The Sacco styling reached its absolute peak chic. Just perfect. And that traditional robust M-B running gear underneath… Love it!

My late dad had a 300SE W126 in the same colour. It was a magnificent car .

Love that wiper pattern. The Peugeot 604 also had them, and they really did get your attention.

This Mercedes Benz car still looks absolutely beautiful after all these years. The quality of the engineering and build quality are at a totally different level compared to the latest Mercedes cars

My old W210 E280 V6 was like this car in some ways. So quiet, refined and so easy to eat up the miles on a long trip. But had a nice growly bassline, and a reasonable turn of speed when you planted the long travel loud pedal into the thick, plush carpet.

i drove a brand spanking new one from Birmingham to Leeds. it was an experience i will never forget. i couldnt get over the fact it was worth 3 times what my house was worth.

Stunning car, especially in that interior exterior combo..

A lot of the traits you describe in these SEC’s Is what I have in my 2006 CLK 320cdi Only SEC that I drove was a very neglected example but even with that one you could feel the car it once was

One of the most elegant and qualitative car ever built by Benz. Ive owned in the mid 80's ( briefly) a 1980 280 SEL ( W116), in gold. Also a majestic car to drive. That touch and feel of quality, was even great .

The adjuster you're looking at around 08:05 is for lumbar support/firmness and positioning up/down in the seatback, I believe. My parent's 190 2.5TD (lovely car!) had it fitted, as it used to be a sales rep car for someone who did a lot of motorway driving. On theirs, the adjustment was pneumatic with a small electric air pump under the seat.

The sheer amount of tech in that car is astounding! Laughed out loud when I saw that seatbelt positioner. Great video!

i think the mistery button switches between horn--tones. theres a town and country horn that sounds hilarious

Never drove the 560 SEC, only the saloon 560SEL , electric rear curtains, and electric reclining rear seats, the engine felt like a nuclear reactor torque wise 👌🏻😎

I spent some time driving one when it was couple years old. A magnificent vehicle in it’s era, a German muscle coupe, far ahead of it’s contemporaries in it’s day. A real iron fist in a velvet glove. Never forget it.

I recently bought an immaculate 1983 380SEC and absolutely love it; an awesome weekend cruiser which turns heads whenever I take it out and also effortlessly eats up the miles on the freeway for longer trips. My mum had the 380SE sedan version when I was a teenager (which was passed down to me in later years) but I always lusted after the coupes, as the sedans always seemed a bit upright and stodgy in comparison. And now I finally have one!

I had a W124 (88 300E) myself and loved it. I bought it when it was 20 years old and thought it was as current as any American vehicle for its tech

My Dad's cousin had the 500SEL which he bought new in 1984, in a metallic green. He never had children so was very particular about it but didn't mind opening up up when he could. It absolutely flew compared to my Dad's 1.6 mk2 Cavalier!

Fantastic car, modern Mercs don't hold a candle to this beast.

I LOVE these! I have always wanted one. I used to have a Saturday job cleaning cars in the early 90's and we had one in the garage I worked at. I used to leave that car 'til last and take my time over cleaning it and dreaming that I would own one someday!

Stunning looking car, always had a soft spot for these since watching Roadhouse as an impressionable teenager. I believe Patrick Swayze bought the 560 from the studio after filming & used it as his daily driver for years after.

The switch on the central console with the horn icon is for switching to the long- distance air horns. The W126 and C126 are my all-time favorite big Benzes. I had an '86 420 SEL and the idle on that V8 was so smooth that the only way you could tell the engine was running was to look at the tachometer. Bruno Sacco is my hero. Even his interiors were phenomenally minimalist, unfussy yet so functional.

I work on them every day and still never tire of them.

I’ve never driven a more comfortable powerful car ever even to this day. Drove Dallas to Chicago and it felt like two hours versus in every other car easily a day’s drive but not in the SEC which was smooth as silk and left the driver with enough energy to do anything. These cars are solid and this was the last of the glorious Mercedes ever made.

Lovely car. I owned a W126 once, but parts are now so scarce. Never again, not at a daily. Edit to add - horn button should be for the town and country horn. Also the dials at the side of the seats I believe are lumbar support adjustment.

This is how a Mercedes is supposed to be. Current lineup is flashy and in your face to appeal the new wealthy Chinese and Russian customers. The days of good taste are gone for ever.

1:27 Deleting the badges is by far the most popular option for any new Mercedes in Germany. Doesn't cost anything and Germans love sleepers. 1st aid kits and warning triangles are compulsory in Germany so every car there has them fitted. You have to come to the aid of any stricken person by law so it makes sense. You also have to pass a 1st aid course before you can do your driving test. Failing to aid a person in distress can land you in jail but if you try to help to the best of your ability and it turns out you accidentally did some harm you can NOT be held legally responsible.

From what I like to call the “Golden Age of Mercedes” - 123/126/201/124; BMW had a similar period (in my opinion) from the E21 3-series to the E39 5-series

The most beautiful car ever !!!

This is my most favourite model of Mercedes-Benz.. Everything about them is gorgeous.. Wish i bought one before the values went up...

I always hoped my dad would get a w126 as the family car back in the day, even a 300SE would have done, but a 560SEL was the dream. His budget was more Ford Sierra though….

Certainly one of the best, built-to-last Mercedes ❤

The perfect vlog Ian, Beautiful car, stunning view and wonderful passengers

These are truly great cars. I would love to have the 560 engine in my w124

Loving your enthusiasm for the 126!

I idolised these as a child, stunning cars, perfection!

I had a 500SEC, a University graduation gift, it was Champagne with a black interior, I loved that car.

It's the best car in the world. Drove one 20 years ago and have been saving ever since. Cool video!

That giggle when you said ironically economy with 5,6-litre V8 😂 In this car that economy-button maybe don't have that big effect... But what a beauty, one of the best looking MB's ever, great colour for that car as well 😎

Gorgeous! I have to agree, I had one (yes a 560SEC) in white on an H back in the mid '90s and chopped it in for my E320 Sportline Cabriolet (that I still have) - one I would love to get back into!

Oh yes, love these beasts. Always admired them from afar.

I had a boss in Germany who owned one. It was years old then, but he basically flew back into Munich, got in his Merc and blasted up an autobahn at ludicrous speed, in perfect safety. The road handling was great, albeit he just pointed it and floored the throttle. I cannot imagine the fuel ‘economy’. But he didn’t care.

These cars always remind me of JR in Dallas😂 you probably had to be an oil baron to afford one new.

One of my neighbours had one if these in black in AMG form. Beautiful car shame Mercs don't make cars like this anymore.

Hotwheels just brought back this all time favorite…it’s impossible to find one. 💙 !

Totally agree Ian, an utterly gorgeous design, I can thoroughly understand you fondling those indicators! Probably has the self leveling suspension being the 560? Great camera work Mrs. Hubnut as usual, lovely seeing the SEC on the move and turning, looked very majestic indeed. 😎👍

Thanks for the ride. Luxury and power an obvious advantage. Much appreciated.

My dad has the 420sec and he wants a 560, the 420 is such a good car, only ever seen 1 on the road and the sound of the V8 is just out of this world. It's faster than it looks, once gapped an Evo x!

Excellent review as always, Peak Mercedes era of cars, sounds fantastic when the loud pedal is pushed.

The sort of car that, even today, you can roll up outside a London Park Lane hotel, and the doorman will come out to open your door and assist you. The rear lights were always a favourite of mine as a nerdy kid. Alongside the M635CSi and Ur-Quattro, German motors were at their peak around this time.

Fabulous car! One of my top cars, lovely colour combination, thanks for filming it!

My cousin had an oldsmobile cuttlus fitted with 500SEL cooling fan, the sound was so high that we always thought a Mercedes was coming home but it the cuttlus

Perhaps next time you read the handbook first 😀 The seat thing is to adjust the lumbar on the seat and to blow the back ( orthopaedic seat function ) The horn button : this car has two horns the idea was one in city less loud and the other on motorways ( flip the switch and use horn and you will hear the second horn ) Jiggly wipers debuted 1985 first in W201 and then W124 and finally in W140 !!! This C126 was a late car around 1988/89 I assume but the series was launched 1979! Which is why they didn’t have it yet …. The seat belt assist would have worked even after starting engine if you’d reopen doors !!! The power is also incorrect 560’s came with Cat ( 279 bhp ) and without cat ( Euro sports option ) with 300bhp !!

Owned a 560sel since 1992. Feels a tad dated compared to modern stuff I drive.. however, floor it at about 40mph! And it’s so addictive.. Sounds like a plane ✈️ taking off.. Plus points. If you’ve never sat in one of these inside a garage and shut the door. You don’t know what build quality is. It’s worth whatever you paid just to hear that thump! The switches feel ridiculously solid, it’s got an electric rear bench seat which still impresses now. The leather is thick, at least on the early ones, and there’s a certain smell of an older Merc that is unquantifiable.. those who know, know. Downsides.. People asking silly prices for spares.. 18 mpg on a good day, 12 mpg on a bad 🙄 Interior doesn’t have that luxury feel of a Jag or Roller.. but then again, it does last apart from some plastic parts becoming brittle with age. But hey, it’s nearly 40 years old car. Will only be parted when I have to go visit that big guy with the beard in the sky.

The horn switch is for town and country horns.

Great review of a superb car. I saw a web page some time ago where an owner had retro-fitted the individual power seat option from the SEL into an SEC.

i drove a 1986 model between 1988-90 when I worked as a bodyguard driving my boss with-it. unbelievably silent when window is up and super smooth drive....car cost price was $118.000 Canadian

Having owned and enjoyed 4 different W126's , you got that review absolutely spot on about the sheer class these cars have. You'd need more than £50k to buy this though at the end of production. I think the 560 SEC topped out in 1991 at around £65k. About the price of a 4 bed detached house in northern England at the time. The switch that mystified you was for the twin horns, standard only on the 560 models I think. I only got as far as the 500 SEL and don't remember having that. Superb cars and rightly voted the Best Car In The World just after launch

Lovley car....great video, keep up the great work Ian

Great review Ian, probably your best yet. I felt like I was wafting along sat at home.

Great looking car. My father had the 280ce and it's nostalgic to see some of the features those cars share.

I remember a partner in the firm I worked for had one of these; he bought it with a bonus from a very lucrative year of work. Nice to see something that's not very Hubnut but subject to the same allround review. It is amazing how ordinary cars even superminis have as standard the sort of equipment that would have been a pricey extra on a 560SEC. That car would have cost about the same as a nice house in large chunks of the country.

I dropped one of these into my beautiful W109 300SEL. It was an original early AMG with massive twin IHI turbos. 290kw in a classic W109 with stacked headlights. I also had a 560SEC like this, but gold colour.

I had a 1984 500 SEC for six years and it was a truly wonderful car but it also cost a small fortune to run. If you’re looking to buy one now you need to check for the usual culprits of rust, corrosion under the rear parcel shelf (only visible if you stick your head deep into the boot!) , rust under the massive doors ( get down on your hands & knees) , water ingress under the floor mats & boot carpet and the sagging headlining ( which this car is suffering from quite badly ). The sunroof drainage channels need to be cleaned regularly and the more you drive the car the fewer problems you will have. Also get a spare fuel pump relay and an EZL ignition module. The serviceable items that I remember buying were all surprisingly reasonably priced for what you were getting.

Always wanted one of those, but never could afford it (still can't 😢). Got my 4 door W126 though which always brings a smile when I drive it

Very enjoyable review Ian which brought back good memories. 👍 I was wondering if you were going to mention the rear self levelling suspension with accumulators that are nitrogen gas filled spheres. I think the 560 SEL had them too. Fabulous cars.

I have a 1983. 380SEC Mercedes, that is in great condition. Has a blown head gasket. Starts right up. All power windows, locks, and sunroof works

What a fantastic old BIG Coupé for going out & about for blast in 80's style. Mercedes Benz Coupé is certainly a timeless classic and can still be enjoyed in these modern times & what a great episode it was as well.

Had a w116 back in the 90s and loved it. Can only imagine how much better the c126 is.

I own a 86 560SEC in smoke silver with medium red leather. They are quite the coupe. Has a difference feel than my 87 560SEL even though they are mechanically the same. Can’t wait to drive it this summer again.

I've never seen one of these before. A beautiful car and and a brilliant review. 👏

In London we just called it 300,420…500 or 560 se,sec etc… Beautiful cars

Nice video. This car, as all of Mercedes Benz in that era is simply superb.

Horn button is for city horn and country horn, very cool!!

A dream I unfortunately never fore filled, at the dealer the decession went to a 420 SE and not a 420 SEC 4 doors being more practical as two.A Gorgeous vehicle the SEC and they don't build them like they used to.

Ah childhood memories! There was a grumpy rich old chap in my village who took his SEC to town twice a week to spend money on drinks and naked women. When he was finished he called a cab to pick up my dad who chauffeured the Mercedes and the old man back to our village. My dad really loved this Mercedes but he´s allways been paid very generous too.

Most beautiful coupe from Germany, ever! 1:14 the ribbed lights had a reason behind it; Mercedes' stated these were so that while driving in dusty regions (Middle East etc) rear lights will not entirely be covered in dust and will still be visible due to the ribbed design. In those days, they really had a purpose behind the styling. The foldable rear-view mirrors were developed by Mercedes; they will automatically return to their shape if hit by something passing in either direction. The idea was that drivers should have full visibility even when driving in the chaotic streets of Beirut during their turmoil years.

these old cars have a soul and a longevity you can only dream off in finding in newer cars

Fabulous review on this beautiful classic, pure class 👍😃

In early 1990 ii was delivering car's for a major executive car company in one week I drove a 911 turbo and a 560 SEC I love old 911s but I'll never forget the way the Merc eat the road up effortlessly. A proper gentleman's dragster.

Finally a proper mo-ah on 'his channel! 😉 Excellent car, thanks for this great video, Ian!