MB World forum member’s classic Mercedes sedan is a sinister cruiser with a dropped stance and big, fat whitewalls.
The W126 300 SDL shown here was shared to the forum by MBWorld member “jumph4x” and as customized Mercedes-Benz sedans from the 1980s go, this one is unique and beautiful. Most people who fix up a W124 are looking to emphasize the luxurious nature of this huge European sedan, but this owner has gone a very different route. The result is a sort of mild rat rod build with matte black paint and thick whitewall stripes, a combination that is popular in the antique hot rod world.
Making a rat rod out of a W126 Mercedes-Benz 300 SDL might sound ridiculous to some people, but we love the look of this 30-year old German sedan.
Menacing Exterior
On the outside, this wicked W126 Mercedes has been painted matte black from top to bottom, but all of the factory chrome around the windows, across the front end and through the middle of the doors has been retained. The large center opening of the grille has been painted black, some unique badging has been added and the colored corner markers have been replaced with clear units.
We don’t have any details on the build, but this 300 SDL has clearly been lowered, and while it isn’t exactly slammed, this Mercedes sits quite a bit lower than a stock version of the same car. Frankly, we think that the stance is just about perfect for a cool daily driver.
Finally, the wheels have been painted black as well, but providing stark contrast to the rest of the Benz sedan is a set of whitewall tireswith the thickest stripes that you can get. The entire sidewall is white, which really pops on this murdered-out Mercedes.
Plush Factory Interior
While the exterior of this W126 Mercedes-Benz 300 SDL has been modified quite a bit, the interior appears to be pretty much stock, but that isn’t a bad thing. This big sedan has cushy-looking seats in the front and rear, wrapped in brown leather that has discolored a bit over the last three decades, but the material appears to be in great condition.
The front and rear seating positions are huge and we can imagine that this Mercedes interior is comfortable enough for a long trip across the country.
Stock Engine
The engine looks to be stock and fairly untouched, but the rest of this W126 Mercedes-Benz 300 SDL is cool enough to get by with 110 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. After all, this car is about looking cool and enjoying the ride, not going fast.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
