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Mercedes 560SECW126 coupeS-Class coupeclassic Mercedes

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Hello. The car we are enjoying in today’s Legendary Moment is:

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC

In automotive history, “coupé” has come to mean more than a two-door, three-box car. It represents a trade: sporting character and luxury in exchange for many advantages of more practical forms. Audi has no large coupé; BMW has the 8 Series, and Mercedes the S-Class Coupé. Without the success of the W126 coupé range, including today's 560SEC, there would have been no modern S-Class Coupé. If you haven't watched the review, take a look.

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Few carmakers are instantly recognizable even from far away.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 6.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Mercedes-Benz is a leading example. Its flagship coupés, from the current S-Class Coupé through three previous CL generations, resemble smaller coupés but look grander through their width.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 8.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

The well-defined corners of the front make it look wider.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 10.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Move just slightly to the side and its length becomes immediately apparent.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 12.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Flagship equals success.

This car seems to gather every word in that equation. If it still evokes that feeling in 2020, imagine its impact in its own era.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 15.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Perhaps that is why we can meet a car like this on LEGENDARY today.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 17.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Its exterior color complements a traditional Korean house. Where the 560SEL sedan is chauffeur-driven, this is owner-driven. Simply removing the hood-top star gives even the side profile a sharper feel.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 19.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

It almost transports you back to the time when this car was current.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 21.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph
Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 22.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

When swapping badges was fashionable, people could copy a large-engined flagship's badge, yet the imitations always seemed to lack something. I still cannot explain that subtle difference.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 24.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

It is unmistakably wide.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 26.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Just then, a W222 sedan passed by.

The shape has changed greatly; the dignity has not.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 29.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

The broad, long C-pillar, rear fender line and gentle wheel arches convey the ease of a luxury coupé.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 31.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Frameless doors,

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 33.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

and chrome-finished door interiors—satin-finished on current cars—have continued to this day.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 35.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

It certainly looks plain, yet the original article records 28,929 sales for the “560SEL.” What did owners of the time consider essential in a top-class coupé? [The model designation is retained as written in the original.]

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 37.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph
Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 38.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph
Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 39.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

There are inexpensive details here and there, of course. Cost reduction is a production manufacturer's inescapable reality.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 41.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph
Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 42.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Still, the necessary functions and embellishments are all present.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 44.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Had a car like this arrived at the wrong time and failed, today's model lineups might look different.

Mercedes-Benz W126 560SEC — archive photograph 46.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

I hope LEGENDARY100 can one day bring it together with later S-Class Coupés. What is your dream car? We will be here until it appears on LEGENDARY100. Thank you.

Photos and words: 주보균 (http://instagram.com/nonameblanka)

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Photos and words: 주보균 (http://instagram.com/nonameblanka)

LEGENDARY YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dayone82

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