PKW4281 126 series S-Class Coupés, 1981 - 1985

126 series S-Class Coupés, 1981 - 1985

At the Frankfurt International Motor Show IAA, in September 1981, models 380 SEC and 500 SEC were presented. They were coupé variants of series 126, succeeding the previous SLC models. In concept, the new coupé generation once again was based on the S-Class saloons and not, as their direct predecessor, on an SL model. A 6-cylinder variant analogous to the 280 SLC was not available. The V8-engines, already know in principal from the saloons and the SLC models, had been thoroughly redesigned within the "Mercedes-Benz Energy Concept" in order to reduce consumption and pollutants.

Next to an increase of compression, a camshaft with changed timing, air-circulated injection valves and an electronic idle-speed control device stood on the list of improvements. Due to the changed cam shift adaptation the torque maximum could be shifted towards lower numbers of revolution. In case of the 3.8-liter engine it was even increased. This aggregate was thoroughly changed. In order to obtain a more favourable volume-surface ratio the bore was reduced and the stroke increased. Thus the modified 3.8-liter V8 showed a slightly increased displacement. In both 8-cylinders slight power reductions had to be taken into account, compensated, however, by a considerably improved economic efficiency. In both cases the rear axle transmission ratio was adapted to the changed characteristics of the engine. Thanks to all these measures the fuel consumption of the SEC coupés were drastically reduced in comparison to their preceding Types.

Except for a few details the chassis corresponded to the saloons on which the vehicle was based. Like those the coupés were also provided with a twin-control arm front axle as well as a semi-trailing arm rear axle with anti-squat control. For the first time the front wheels of the SEC coupés were equipped with floating calliper disk brakes. Thus larger brake disks could be used and the brake cylinder was located at the better cooled interior side of the wheel.

In principal the platform, too, came from the saloon. It was, however, reduced by 85 mm. Thus the wheelbase was 30 mm higher than in the preceding model. The passenger cabin was also much broader as in the SLC models. The body had been constructed according to the newest insights of safety research and the construction principles, already applied at the saloons, were reinforced by further measures. In order to compensate for the missing centre pillar the roof frame constructions had been improved and the A-pillars provided with welded-in high-strength pipes. Thus the coupés also corresponded to the high safety standards of the S-Class saloons. Electrically operated belt hand-overs were an interesting detail of equipment. They belonged to the standard version of the SEC models and had the task to bring the seat-belt at all four seats into the field of vision and to be easily obtainable for driver and passengers alike. On demand, an air bag for the driver and a seat-belt pretensioning device for the front passenger was available.

The design of the new coupés was also based on the four-door cars. A relict of the SLC episode was the horizontal front grill typical for the SL. From the very beginning, the most elegant and harmonic shape was a great success. It made the SEC coupé one of the most beautiful cars after the war. The two bumpers as well as the side protection strips were shaped analogous to the saloons. The front apron, however, was pulled further down, In it fog lamps were integrated. A remarkable construction detail were the aerodynamically optimised door handle recesses which prevented them from getting dirty.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé, 126 series, on the test track in Untertürkheim, 1981
81F150
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81F174
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81F180
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81F190
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81F191
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81F198
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81F207
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Coupé of the 126 series on the driveway in Untertürkheim,
1981
81F225
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126 auf der Einfahrbahn in Untertürkheim
1981
81F226
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Coupé of the 126 series on the driveway in Untertürkheim,
1981
81F227
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
House in Schorndorf where Gottlieb Daimler was born. 
Daimler motor carriage of 1886 and a Mercedes-Benz 126 series S-Class coupe, 1980
81F234
Birthplace of Gottlieb Daimler
Mercedes-Benz 380 SEC
S-Klasse Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
C31886
Mercedes-Benz 380 SEC
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Coupé
Baureihe 126
1981
C33523
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Coupé
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81167-91
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81282-17
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81282-73
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC
Coupé der Baureihe 126
1981
81283-115
Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC
20.000. Mercedes für interRent
Am 24. Januar 1983 erhielt die Firma interRent ihren 20000. Mercedes in der Daimler-Benz Niederlassung Hamburg.
190 E, C 126 und ein Transporter T 1
InterRent ist der größte Einzelkunde von Daimler-Benz.
00152911
20.000. Mercedes für interRent
Gottlieb Daimlers Geburtshaus in Schorndorf
Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse-Coupé der Baureihe 126 und Daimler-Motorwagen aus dem Jahre 1886.
1979
C38031A
Daimler-Geburtshaus in Schorndorf
Mercedes-Benz 380 SEC / 500 SEC
1981
00114304
Mercedes-Benz 380 SEC / 500 SEC
Mercedes-Benz 380 / 500 SEC 
C 126, Rechtslenker
00151327
Mercedes-Benz 380 / 500 SEC
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