Sacco's super star in the star club of the 80s

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé created clear relationships. Even when he made his debut on the IAA In 1981 the V8 Mercedes with the type code SEC outshone the assembled luxury competition. And so it is not surprising that the style icon with the star in the grill was more popular in Hollywood, Nice or Berlin than Aston Martin or Bentley.

Almost every star in the status-conscious 1980s wanted this high-profile star: Whether the Formula 1 titans Niki Lauda and Ayrton Senna, rally champion Walter Röhrl, artists, kings, political celebrities or sheikhs, they all drove the V1981 coupés from Mercedes introduced in 8 the bulky lettering SEC ("S-Class-Injection Motor-Coupé") on the trunk lid. Even the rich TV heroes and bad guys in cult series such as Dallas, Magnum or Miami Vice suddenly showed up in the extravagant and extremely expensive Mercedes SEC of the C 126 series - around 35 percent more expensive than the corresponding V8 sedans (W 126) and more exclusive than the SL roadster previously preferred by celebrities. Instead of Protz, which Poser also had, for example, from tuners such as Zender and Styling Garage, the SEC types 380 to 560 were adorned with a distinguished elegance from the pen of the Italian-born star designer Bruno Sacco. This is supplemented by technical innovations such as driver and front passenger airbags, belt tensioners and belts, electronic traction control, automatic locking differential and V8 with up to 221 kW / 300 hp in the top model 1985 SEC launched in 560. "The first among the best" should be the classy two-door, according to Mercedes advertising. A claim that this challenger from Jaguar XJ-S, Bentley Continental R or Porsche 928 lived up to as a bestseller.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupés (C 126) - the first among the best

With more than 126 units, the C 74.000 series, which was built for ten years, not only surpassed all direct competitors - the BMW 6 Series Coupés played in a more affordable league, by the way - the almost five meters long and fully occupied, despite the new lightweight construction technology, still over 2,1, The 380-ton SEC made it the best-selling S-Class Coupé of all time. A career that was already hinted at at the world premiere of the 500 SEC and 1981 SEC at the IAA in autumn 280. The curtain was raised for the successor to the 500 SLC to 3,8 SLC types, and the visitors to the fair crowded closer to this new German dream car with frameless retractable windows than to any red Italian supercar. Most admirers of the new 5,0- and 8-liter V1980 coupés based on an SL roadster as before the SLC were finally back on the S-Class sedan, however, had to make do with it, one of the coveted ones Loot advertising brochures. Although the social mood at the beginning of the 350s was influenced by anti-car tendencies and social envy, Mercedes and chief designer Bruno Sacco achieved a miracle with the ultra-expensive SEC: The coupés, contoured in unobtrusive power and magnificence, were generally hailed as "the best car in the world", not least of all in the trade press. And the cinema and TV industry booked the Swabian superstar in around XNUMX films as the leading actor in an automobile.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupés (C 126) with the Sacco boards

Perhaps it was also the use of light, initially corrugated plastic for bumpers and side protection planks - popularly known as “Sacco boards” - that optically identified the SEC as an ambassador for progress, as did the S-Class sedans shown two years earlier. It was also fitting that the SEC was the first Mercedes coupé to adapt the sports radiator grille of the SL series, a design element that Sacco had enforced against the concerns of the Daimler-Benz board members. In later years Sacco once commented on the vertical design affinity at Mercedes that was important to him. With striking details such as the corrugated lower side structure (albeit now in plastic) and the face of the radiator, the C 126 clearly cited its predecessor, the SLC (C 107) with its idiosyncratic roof construction.

However, the instantly successful SEC quickly made the sports grill with a central star a top seller in the tuning industry, which soon offered the performance badge for all Swabian limousines and station wagons, including the diesel taxis, which were still phlegmatic at the time. And then there was the Brabus, Lorinser or AMG for all adrenaline junkies among the multimillionaires. While an AMG 500 SEC even competed in the 24-hour race in the Ardennes, the 6,0-liter Brabus with 283 kW / 385 hp dominated the left-hand motorway lanes. Before that, however, you had to pay twice as much money as the trusted Mercedes dealer calculated for a conventional 560 SEC. The SGS Gullwing from the Hamburg Styling Garage, whose customers included celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, were almost weighed in gold. The wing door conversion of the 500 SEC without a star (Mercedes opposed it, so it was in the glove compartment) was as expensive as two Maranello cars like a Ferrari 512 BB. Alternatively, there was a tanning studio in the form of the 560-SEC conversion SGS Marbella Cabriolet from the styling garage.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupés (C 126) - very good CW value, for then

For the vast majority of Mercedes fans, however, it was precisely the unadulterated, slim and sculptural forms of the original Sacco design, brought to a good Cd = 0,34 in the wind tunnel, that made the SEC so attractive: Among them are eight-enders, trimmed for efficiency, coupled to gently shifting four-speed automatic machines with a long rear axle ratio. According to the DIN standard, the 13,9 SEC consumed just 380 liters in the city cycle, while a Ferrari Mondial consumed 25 liters and a Jaguar XJ-S a lush 18 liters. The consumption advantage of the Stuttgart-based car on motorways was similar, above all it was available at an early stage with a regulated catalytic converter, which, however, initially cost around ten percent performance. In the Vmax, none of them, from the 380 SEC to the 1985 SEC that followed in 420 to the top types 500 SEC and 560 SEC, did not achieve any miracle values. But the 250 km / h of the 560 SEC was enough to parry the 1989 BMW 850i Coupé with V12. In any case, what was more important to the SEC buyers was the confident composure with which the luxury coupés achieved high long-distance averages.

The elite Grand Turismo also scored points with safety technology such as the world's first body that was designed for the more practical offset crash test. A concept that impressed the American security authorities, because for a long time this hardly seemed possible, especially with a coupé without a rigid B-pillar. In the USA, the SEC was definitely on the way to outclassing all more conservative competitors in terms of sales, as it fulfilled the need for safe and tasteful driving culture. The economical use of wood in the interior was a perfect match, as was the only small facelift that Mercedes found necessary to keep the SEC en vogue. Four years after its premiere, the Stuttgart-based company has given its flagship new bumpers, smooth side protection, new wheels and motorized sharpening. This kept the SEC fresh until the fall of 1991, when it handed over the helm to the gigantic W-140 Coupé. But this is a new chapter, also written by Bruno Sacco.

Tungsten Nickel / SP-X

In brief

Timeline:
1951: The starting shot for the great Mercedes Coupés of the post-war era. The new Type 220, which was also produced as a coupé until 1955, was presented at the IAA in Frankfurt in April. Unveiling of the 300 S Coupé at the Paris Motor Show
1961: Extension of the W 111 series with coupés and convertibles, the two-door model family 220 SEb to 300 SE and later also 280 SE 3.5 come into operation
1971: The SLC Coupe, which succeeds the 107 SE and 280 SE 280 Coupé, is based on the SL of the R 3.5 series
1979: The S-Class sedans of the W 126 series are presented
1981: The eight-cylinder coupés 380 SEC and 500 SEC celebrate their world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt. They replace the SLC coupés of the R 107 series. The designation SEC stands for "S-Class injection engine coupé". The SEC is based on the sedan platform, but has a shorter wheelbase. The design of the coupés - developed under the responsibility of Bruno Sacco - is also based on the sedans, but cites the typical SL radiator grille with horizontal struts and a large star in the middle. For the benefit of passive safety, the roof is reinforced with a high-strength structure and the same applies to the A-pillars. Electrically operated belt feeders, which are part of the standard scope of delivery of the SEC types, are new. Airbags for the driver and a belt tensioner for the front passenger are available on request
1982: The Hamburg tuner Styling Garage presents a wing door conversion of the 500 SEC with the model name SGS Gullwing. A total of 57 units of the SGS Gullwing, which can cost up to 200.000 marks, will be built. From 1985 onwards, the SGS Arrow C1, which was produced in around ten units, added to the portfolio; based on the Gullwing, it offered a pop-up headlight front in the style of the Mercedes-Benz C111 rotary engine sports car. In contrast, the SGS Marbella, which is manufactured in around 300 units, is a convertible conversion of the Mercedes 500SEC / 560 SEC
1983: The SEC enjoys unparalleled popularity among Formula 1 drivers, with every third driver opting for the same type of car, the 500 SEC, for the first time
1985: In August extensive model updates and new engines. There is no corrugation on the side plastic planking, and the so-called Sacco boards can now be ordered in four colors. Instead of 14-inch wheels, 15-inch aluminum wheels are now standard. Introduction of the new, then representative 250 km / h top model 560 SEC and the more powerful 500 SEC. The new 420 SEC replaces the 380 SEC. The eight-cylinder units are optionally available with a catalytic converter or as so-called "RÜF" versions, which are prepared for later catalytic converter installation
1987: Another facelift in September. The 500 SEC is once again given a boost in performance. Bodybuilder Chris Hahn, formerly Styling Garage, offers SEC convertibles at conversion prices of around 65.000 marks
1989: The side plastic planks can be ordered in 16 colors and harmonize with the paint color. The new competitor for the 560 SEC is the BMW 850i with V12 engine. An AMG 24 SEC starts at the Spa-Francorchamps 500-hour race
1991: Production ceases on August 27th. The last vehicle to roll off the production line is a 560 SEC. The successor to the C 126 is the S-Class Coupé from the C 140 series
2011: The Mercedes-Benz SEC of the C 126 series turns 30 and is therefore a candidate for the official H license plate
2021: The SEC Coupé of the C 126 series will be 40 years old and celebrated by the community

Production numbers:
A total of 74.060 units, of which
Mercedes-Benz 380 SEC: 11.267 units
Mercedes-Benz 420 SEC: 3.680 units
Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC: 30.184 units
Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC: 28.929 units

Motorizations:
Mercedes-Benz 380 SEC (1981-1985) with 3,8-liter V8 (150 kW / 204 PS)
Mercedes-Benz 420 SEC (1985-1991) with 4,2-liter V8 (RÜF 160 kW / 218 PS or KAT 150 kW / 204 PS or 165 kW / 224 PS)
Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC (1981-1991) with 5,0-liter V8 (170 kW / 231 PS or from September 1985 180 kW / 245 PS or 164 kW / 223 PS or from September 1987 195 kW / 265 PS or 185 kW / 252 PS)
Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC (1985-1991) with 5,6-liter V8 (ECE 220 kW / 300 PS or RÜF 200 kW / 272 PS or KAT 178 kW / 242 PS or 205 kW / 279 PS)