The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most luxurious vehicles currently available worldwide. It is also one of the longest running nameplates in the industry with origins that can be traced back to the W116 line, which was first officially called the S-Class when it was launched in 1972. Some 7 years later, its successor was introduced leaving a significant mark in history of the entire automotive industry.
W126 is sold worldwide in markets including Europe, Japan, and North America. During its 12 years of production, a total of 892,123 units were sold in sedan and coupe body styles, making the W126 generation the most successful S-Class in terms of sales with the longest production run in history. This is just one of the reasons why this generation of the S-Class is still considered one of the best engineered and built cars of all time.
W126s in good condition are becoming harder to find in the United States. Team at WD details found one that had been sitting for years and decided to wash it thoroughly to make it look as good as possible. Sure, there are some minor imperfections and rust spots that can only be fixed with a professional respray, but other than that, this is one really awesome example.
The luxury sedan underwent a series of detailing procedures, including a pressure wash of the entire exterior, followed by a more detailed wash, clay bar and polishing of paint. The wheels have also received a lot of attention and it is interesting to note that the rims are only 14 inches in diameter and are one of the most sought after wheels for this model. The exact model name is Barock and while relatively popular in Europe, this alloy is rarely seen in North America.
Another interesting fact about this vehicle is that it has a diesel engine under its hood. The famous Mercedes OM617 compression ignition mill powers the silver sedan, producing a peak output of 123 horsepower (92 kilowatts) and 184 pound-feet (250 Newton-meters) of torque. Interestingly, the 3.0 liter diesel was only available in the US, Canada and Japan at that time.
