1985 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL Sedan

 Mercedes Limousine (46 inch stretch) built new by Executive Coachworks of Springfield Missouri. They were one of the few that Mercedes authorized as convertors at the time. It was built in 1985 from a fully loaded US model 500SEL. The car was Anthracite gray with special ordered Gray European velour. This is not some cheap cloth but a "wear like iron" material that is super comfortable both in winter or
summer and still looks like new. This car is fully loaded with electric seats front and rear, heated seats front and rear, rear reclining seats, dual heat/AC units that work great, power windows, locks etc. The car was purchased new by a company president from western Indiana june 1985. The car always lived in his airplane hanger with his private plane. It was used twice a week to drive his wife into Chicago to get her hair done...For real !!!!  Alittle over 12 years ago, the owners partner became disabled so she used the Limo with a driver to take her locally to the office. The car was also used over the years to pick up clients at O'hare airport. The car always was maintained on a "no expense spared" basis.  The car was in great condition but was looking abit dated. I always felt that the plastic side body cladding was way too 80s looking and not smooth like a car would be today, so I had my restoration shop fabricate new , all metal panels to replace the plastic ones. I wanted a seamless line that was crisp. There was and is No rust in the car. After this was done, we stripped the car and did a $7000 paint job with all panels, side mirrors, bumpers the same color. Bonatti Gray met (a 2006 Range Rover color very close to Anthracite but a little more lively and modern). At that time we also stripped the old cheesy vinyl roof off and my upholstery man redid the roof in $800 worth of Gray German cloth convertible top material with double stitched seams. It looks stunning. Also replaced the chipped windscreen at that time. The car ran and drove great and only needed some new bushings, plug wires,exhaust,brakes etc to be freshened up for daily use, which we did. Inside , the car never had a division so we bought the components from a limo mfg and constructed a modern, electric division that the up and down division is the TV screen, then we put in a new DVD/Stereo unit, speakers  and also relaced the old intercom with a modern one. We also put on larger chrome Mercedes wheels and 15in whitewall radials and a set of European headlamps to give it that smoother line I was seeking. The car really is perfect now and very comfortable to drive or ride in, Of course it has rear facing center seat so 4 are ccomfortable in the rear. It is a beautiful car.