Description
Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEL Carat By Duchatelet for sale, finished in the blue-black metallic paint (199U) with black leather interior and 105, 000-miles (170, 500km).
This particular LHD car was imported from Japan in 2022 after previously being overhauled by Belgian coachbuilders Carat By Duchatelet. Carat options fitted include the steering wheel and dials, sill plates, extended centre arm-rest, walnut fold-out ‘recreational’ tables and (most importantly) a 5. 5in passenger-mounted screen complete with VHS player in the rear centre arm rest which is also trimmed by Carat By Duchatelet.
Anyone familiar with the 1000SEL era of coachbuilding will be very familiar with Carat and the unique upgrades which are now becoming increasingly more difficult and expensive to find in good condition.
In addition to the upgrades above, this particular 560SEL came from the factory in an incredibly high-spec boasting a rear electric roller blind, automatic climate control, electric rear bench, heated electric seats (front and rear) and much more.
During my ownership it’s also undergone a significant overhaul of its mechanical components by Carnaby Motors in Essex. This includes: new discs, pads and hoses all round, all suspension parts (ball joints, bushings, dampers) replaced and rebuilt, reconditioned rear differential, full transmission service including new mounts and calibration, full ignition overhaul including plugs and leads, major engine service including belts, fuse box stripped, cleaned and reassembled, new fuel pumps and hoses, new engine mounts, BILSTEIN B4 dampers with H&R springs, SLS valve linkage and KE-Jetronic calibration.
For a 34-year-old car it drives brilliantly at all speeds with the temperature stable and no leaks/ knocks or creaks. I’ve owned multiple SELs over the years and this is easily the best example so far, with the underside being completely solid and rust-free with no signs of any past accident damage or repairs.
Bad bits: There’s a few chips of paint coming off the roof rails (see pics) which could benefit from a machine polish, and the rubber seal at the bottom of the windscreen has gone brittle. The Carat By Duchatelet screen/ VHS player will need re-wiring (someone in Japan decided to use it as a reversing camera… obviously) and several bits of the wooden trim around the door handles could do with being replaced/ repaired. The rear-view mirror is loose (spare included) and the driver-side door could also do with realigning as it takes some force to shut. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need much.
Car is currently SORN and in storage but will be sold with a full year’s MOT. VIN for anyone wanting to validate it is WDB1260391A528046. My plan was to fit it with various AMG style aero/ wheels and a Clarion stack head unit all of which I still have – happy to do a deal on these if someone wants to go down the same route.
For more information please e-mail or text.
