This shot by WilliamRubano doesn’t say much about this property owner’s taste in cars beyond a preference for coupes, with one of the most simple American cars of the ’60s parked next to one of the most complex German cars of the ’80s. Quite the odd couple, isn’t it? I suppose the Falcon comes in handy when the Mercedes is getting one of its many vacuum operated accessories put back into commission or having its self-levelling system serviced, and that the 500SEC is perfect for those moments when a stressful drive is out of the question. Different cars suit different moods, after all, and that’s why so many of us can’t choose just one.
I deeply respect this lady or gentleman, owning what they truly want without compromise. Also this demonstrates a refined eclectic taste.
I am considering an old 914, to accompany the SC 300. Although I’m afraid that ship is sailing away, due to the crazy spike in prices of 914’s.
I like both cars for different reasons. I like German cars, and I also like Detroit cars (or should I say Dearborn?).
Considering how long ago the 126 chassis stopped production , aren’t they both Old Timers now ? .
I’m a dedicated W-123 Man my ownself , owning three now .
I still love those oldies tho’ , like my ’59 Metropolitan Nash Sports Coupe that I’m driving in this blistering humid heat wave instead of my R-12 AC equipped Mercedes Diesel Sports Coupe….
Those old Fords remain wonderful cars , I am quite partial to the conservative looking 1962 full size line .
I wasn’t aware the lowly VW/Porsche 914 was in vogue ~ really ? should I attempt to sell y original seven volume factory shop manual set of E-Bay now ? .
I had TWO 1975 2 Liter 914’s and loved them although the mangled Bosh D-Jetronic fuel injection gave me fits occasionally . my buddy’s 1.8 Liter 914 had the simpler AFC F.I. was less trouble some and easier to diagnose and fix .
DO buy one ! look closely at the rear suspension support under the battery as it loves to rot out and collapse while you’re driving .
-Nate
The last of these Falcons was built in 1970 and the SEC started production in 12/79, so less than a decade separates them.
Nate, thanks for the advice. 914’s are either basket cases or Quixotic priced garage queens. Oddly, the area under the battery is seldom displayed in the ad’s picture, unlike the usually new battery tray. Need minor tune-up= d-tronic woes, but no smog tests here, Webers for sure.
I like them for they are much like the 356. I borrowed one 914: I officially drank the Kool-aid. Such a soulful fun car, feels fast even below the speed limit. I might get in touch with you for those shop manuals, if I get lucky.
You’re welcome .
Carbys are prolly the way to go , I’m a VW Mechanic and pedantic to boot so I always resurrect the D-Jet system and I rarely have troubles with it after I sort out the mess the DPO/DPM did to it .
That being said , choose the carby carefully . ” !RACING! ” carbys usually mean too much fuel and poor off idle performance .
There are single carby kits I think are worthless , once you’ve set up and balanced twin carbys they absolutely _never_ go out of adjustment , you keep everything else in sharp tune and carry spare fuel filters in the glove box , change them as soon as the yellow micronic paper turns brown and enjoy decades of happy motoring .
One word of caution : no matter how hairy things get , never , _EVER_ let off the throttle in a 914 unless you’re going in a straight line ! I never did this but so many did and it always slides sideways into/over a curb stone and finds a sturdy pole to smack in the rear 1/4 , usually ruining the transmission .
DO THIS and have some fun ! .
-Nate
I Love the SEC – My partner and I had a ’91 560 SEC for 10 years – It remains probably the most favourite car I ever drove. Really great acceleration, awesomely comfy seats (they actually were independently sprung so they acted as shock absorbers for the already-smooth suspension.) Businesslike and very high quality interior. We’d still have it, save for the fact that gas is now twice as expensive as when we bought it in 2002. That car also had pretty lousy fuel economy – probably the only real downside!
They are comfy cars to drive and the gas mileage does suck bad.
However in defense of the car, it did retail for over $80,000 brand new in 1991 and those plunking down all that money for a brand new SEC were not worried about gas mileage or the cost of gas.
Beer taste on my beer budget. Can’t afford to own a Mercedes and like that era Falcon. I’ll take the ford.
Ironically Lee the Falcon would cost more to buy here than the Benz old Falcons are quite sought after large MBs not so much repair costs scare people away whereas anyone can fix a Falcon and very little goes wrong coz theres very little to go wrong, I prefer mine from Broadmeadows than Dearborn but hey you run what you can get.
Love my newly acquired (and antique) 560SEC. Qualifies for 25 year old or more car shows and a $500 max tax assessment. Rarely do I take it out, since I have no need for a DD. Sunday grocery getter, so no concern for MPGs. When I need gas, I buy it, about once a month.
Back in the seventies you payed for gas in cash. There were still some full service stations around.
I grew up in a thrifty family and I remember how my jaw dropped when I saw a man pull out 100DM bills to pay for the fill up. Yes, he drove a luxurious Benz. I truly enjoyed any ride I got in any Benz. That makes me a closet Benz guy.
When I was a pump jockey for Atlantic Richfield (‘ ARCO ‘) the price went up to .50 CENTS per Gallon so we had to sell it per half gallon because our antiquated Wayne pumps didn’t go that high ~ as this station was in the poorer section of town some of our Customers were dead certain I was cheating them……..
At the time I also took a lot of flack for .50 cents the Gallon regular gasoline .
This was at the Indie Peugeot Garage run by two old French Brothers .
-Nate
I swear, one of these days I’m going to start a W126 rescue dedicated to finding all good and worthy 126s good homes with understanding owners.
Good luck on that ~ there’s boat loads of fully optioned 126 Coupes being scrapped because no one can afford to feed them after the initial purchase .
Jim , if you’re out there reading this , we all LOVE yours ! .
-Nate
In that case we do need to set up a W126 rescue, at least for the coupes. To my eye one of the best-looking cars ever to wear the three-pointed star badge, and along with the E24 BMW 6-series one of the icons of 80’s prestige. Another one I hope to own one day (though I’ll have to make sure I have a good parking place for the probably significant amount of time it might spend in non-operable status!)
Agreed, the W126 coupe was in my top 10 of the eighties the other day. Even 35 years after the introduction of the W126 these cars still don’t look hopelessly out of date, now that’s a timeless design.
Agreed, Johannes. The SEC, first-gen Lexus SC, Acura Legend and BMW 8-series occupy my personal pantheon of timelessly beautiful coupes. I must confess, though, that I’m still looking for that oh-so-elusive 560SEL that’s not a garage queen and hasn’t been resto-modded and/or clapped out.
A lot of them went undercover.
Wow. 80’s flashback! Seemed so cool at the time but now it’s like MC Hammer pants and shoulder pads on a beautiful woman.
Though I’ve recently spotted a lime green 80’s Mazda pickup with this same “wannabe Testarossa” side treatment at a local garage. Odd, to say the least.
Yes, these body kits throw you right back into the “Miami Vice Era”. Koenig from Germany made some really extreme W126 kits, here are some more:
http://www.koenig-specials.com/mercedes/mb-w126sec.html
I saw what looked to be an engineless SEC a while back, I must say the phrase “LS swap” went through my mind!
I agree with Bryce that the Falcon would cost more here than a 500 or 560SEC by some margin, for equivalent condition at least.