09-26-2009, 07:08 AM
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| The Photo Phanatic
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| ***Saved from Destruction: Two S-Class Testcars***
This particular article in this months Mercedes Classic tells the story of two Mercedes S-Class, a W116 and a W126, that were used as testbeds by Daimler-Benz for testing new technologies.
The W116 featured here is very special indeed as it has the M117 5.0 V8 engine that would later find its way into the successor model, the W126 500SE (SEL). The W116 S-Class was never offered with a 5.0 engine, the 450SE (SEL) and 450SE (SEL) 6.9 being the respective top models. Aside from this, the massive steel "bumper" upfront was added because the car was also used to train VIP chauffeurs of the US Army in the arts of smashing through heavy barriers. The W116 has experienced over 500 ramming attacks - and has held up very well.
The W126 500SEL has the M119 V8 under its bonnet, which would later see active service in models such as the R129 SL and W140 S-Class.
Eventually these cars were destined to be scrapped. It would have come to this sad end had a few members from a local Mercedes-Benz Club not intervened. They manage to acquire the cars from Mercedes-Benz and have been using them ever since.  The Scans    
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