The Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 has been an icon of durability for decades. The premium carmaker revealed it in Geneva in 1991 and kept production rolling until 1998. Over 430,000 examples drove through the gates of the factory, with around 22,000 of them being the S 500. One of them is now getting a second chance at life.
The S 500 sold for approximately $70,000 when new. That price really made sense back then.
A 1996 Mercedes-Benz S 500 had been abandoned for around a decade. The bodywork is hardly visible under the layer of dirt and dust. Throughout all these years, the W140 has not once set wheels on the road. The owner was planning on taking it to the crusher. But now the time has come for its fate to change.
The WD Detailing team has other plans for the sedan. A few spots of rust every here and there, on the wheel arches and doors, would be the only visible issues this car sports. And of course, there is the normal wear and tear on board, which is fixable as well. The black leather that covers the seats and the dashboard wood trim still look in great condition. Furthermore, all electronics work..
But there is a whole new problem under the hood. The 5.0-liter V8 doesn’t show any sign of life in there. First, they have to get rid of the bad smell that comes from underneath, before they start washing the car. It’s the first wash in ten years. Twelve hours later, when the dirt is gone, the Mercedes looks as good as new. But it’s gonna take more than that for that V8 to start. They need to change the fuel pump and plug all the wires back together. Will it start or it needs more than that? Watch the video below to find out.
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