Buy Paul McCartney’s Mercedes

Beatle’s Benz for sale

Here’s something we don’t get to say very often: this week, you could buy Sir Paul McCartney’s car.

Yes, former Beatle, that McCartney.

‘Macca’ was the first owner of this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Lorinser that is currently being sold via Collecting Cars – doesn’t it look smart?

Let’s find out more about it.

Baby, you can drive his car

This 126-series Mercedes-Benz 500SEL was first registered on 14 June 1985.

It was bought by Sir Paul McCartney’s MPL Communications company, it was then sold to a Saudi prince in ’89. Its current custodian has had it 12 years.

The difference is in the detail

But as you can see, this is not a standard 500SEL.

It doesn’t shout about it, mind you, but look closely and you’ll spot telltale signs that this isn’t quite standard, such as the dark three-pointed star on its rear and the gentle bootlid spoiler rising above it.

The tuner’s touch

That’s because aftermarket Mercedes-Benz performance specialist Lorinser was called in to make this executive four-door stand out from the crowd.

But what makes it special is that it’s not been done in a shouty way, discretion is key.

Great eight

Under the bonnet is still the marvellous five-litre M117 V8 engine it had when it left the factory and with more than 200bhp, despite the long-wheelbase saloon’s not insignificant kerbweight, it can still provide swift, smooth progress.

This is teamed with a four-speed automatic gearbox.

Aural accompaniment

It doesn’t just go well, that eight-cylinder engine will mean it sounds fantastic, too.

Don’t expect the double-overhead cam unit to be too frugal, but with a classic such as this, you’d not expect that.

For you blue

That very smart, subtly different colour is called Nautical Blue – different enough to make you really appreciate it, but not so different that you stop and stare.

But this right-hand drive, premium-badged classic hasn’t always looked so appealing.

The long and winding road

Its current keeper took ownership back in 2008.

By that stage in its life, it was what auction site Collecting Cars describes as ‘severely neglected’. Luckily for this 126-series Benz, it had been acquired by someone determined to put this right.

Lots to do

The big Mercedes needed a lot of love.

So much so that a donor car had to be sourced to provide replacement items including new doors, a new bonnet and a new bootlid.

Getting a handle on it

It was important to get the details just right, so genuine Lorinser parts were sourced, too.

And to get the look spot on, the smoothed bonnet and grille were joined with lead, customised using the same skills that the specialist tuner used back in the ’80s.

Nooks and crannies

No area of the Mercedes escaped inspection.

The chassis rails, sills and floors all had to be welded by Tony Gaston of JT Classic Services.

Executive express

At over five metres long, that’s a lot of car to get right, straight and factory fresh.

The restoration took a lot of effort, but it was well worth it.

Star struck?

You’ll see that even the three-pointed star that usually rides high and proud out the front of this Stuttgart stalwart is missing, another small touch that makes it different, without being too different.

Specialist knowledge

So what are the other Lorinser-spec tweaks found on this ex-Sir Paul McCartney Mercedes-Benz?

Well, you might have noticed that it sits nearer the ground, thanks to its lowered suspension.

Kitted out

It also wears a Lorinser bodykit.

We highlighted the slight bootlid spoiler earlier. Here the more pronounced front spoiler lip is clearly visible.

Revolution

You’ll also have noticed that while these alloy wheels are very ’80s AMG-esque in appearance, these monoblock-style rims carry the specialist’s script.

They certainly give a sporty edge and are wrapped in brand-new Bridgestone rubber.

Day tripper?

It is a very well resolved appearance with differences the trained eye can catch, but that won’t draw undue attention.

And it’s good to know that this car has been enjoyed – it has done around 101,000 miles. But for a Mercedes-Benz, surely that means it is just bedded in?

The inside story

As this image shows, the steering wheel now carries the Lorinser badge at its centre.

The Mercedes’ interior is almost all original, this needing less work than other areas. A few panels needed retrimming, but otherwise it just needed to be cleaned and revived.

The wood trim on the dash is in fine condition and the switchgear is said to work.

Drink up!

Whether you need six cupholders for the rear-seat occupants is another matter, but there’s space here in this long-wheelbase saloon’s roomy interior.

Apparently Sir Paul specced the car with rear-parcel-shelf-mounted speakers, however these have been replaced because the current owner wanted a more discreet, modern audio system, with smaller speakers.

Backward glance

And there’s one other 21st-century touch that crept in during this car’s restoration.

A reversing camera has been fitted. Given its five-metre-plus length, perhaps that is no bad idea.

A decade of rest

This work was completed back in 2010, after which the SEL enjoyed a bit of time stretching its legs.

But not long. After about a year, it was placed into a secure storage facility until 2020.

I feel fine

In fact, this Mercedes-Benz has only done around 750 miles since its restoration.

And having been stored – albeit carefully – for the best part of a decade, it needed some recommissioning prior to being offered for sale through Collecting Cars.

Smooth operator

However, it passed its MoT in July 2020 – its first since 2011 – first time and with no problems, so it is clearly in very fine fettle.

And, as mentioned earlier, it has been fitted with a fresh set of tyres.

Paperback writer

All the car’s literature is in order, too, and will be sold with it.

This includes its handbook, old tax discs and a replacement service book.

Proof of ownership

Of course, copies of the DVLA’s original registration papers that show the former Beatle as the first owner, via MPL Communications, will be sold with the car, too.

Press clippings and details relating to its restoration will also be included.

No looking back

It seems like all the hard work has already been done with this undercover performance classic.

All it needs now is a new owner to love it, cherish it and, we hope, enjoy it.

All you need is love?

Well, it would help if you love it, but you’ll need a bit of money as well to call this Mercedes your own – and you have until 7:40pm on Sunday 27 September 2020 to place your bid.

You’ll probably need a fair amount set aside for petrol, too…

Four-up fun

But what you’re getting is an automotive slice of rock history, in apparently beautiful condition, inside and out.

And with good-sized rear seats, you could even argue it is family friendly, too.

Come together

It isn’t every day you see a 500SEL. And it is rarer still to see a Lorinser-specced example that has been this way since new.

Its impeccable and impressive provenance makes it an even more fascinating classic saloon.

The clock is ticking

Bidding is open now on this ’85 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Lorinser, so if you want to follow Sir Paul McCartney and add your name to its paperwork, head online and take a closer look.

Collecting Cars will close the auction at 7:40pm on Sunday 27 September 2020.