OVERVIEW
1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E
VIN: WDBEA36E4NB686187
Excellent award-winning example
Built in a collaboration between Porsche and Mercedes
One of approximately 1,528 imported into the United States
Spruce Green Metallic Paint over Mushroom leather
Two decade-long ownerships until previous noted collector’s ownership
326 horsepower, 354lb/ft torque 5.0-liter V8 engine with 4-speed automatic transmission
One of the best under-the-radar cars in the automotive world is the Mercedes-Benz 500E. Built in collaboration with Porsche in the early 90s, it is one of the greatest Q-ship sedans ever created. Using parts from the SL sports car and accessing Porsche’s handmade expertise, these special cars took an average of 18 days to build. With the immensely powerful 326 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine came impressive performance, clocking 0-60mph in under 6 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph, all while maintaining the Mercedes-Benz level of quality and comfort.
A few clues gave away that this was not your ordinary W124 was its aggressive stance that has 1.5-inch wider track, 0.9-inch lower profile, flared fenders, side skirts, and a front air dam. Thankfully the final package, to the untrained eye, was subtle enough to not attract unwarranted attention from law enforcement.
This excellent example was shipped the Sindelfingen production plant on January 14th, 1992 and was destined for the United States. One of the approximately 1,528 examples imported to the U.S. from 1992 to 1995, the 500E was a rare automobile to see out on the streets especially at the price point of $82,000 in 1992. Purchased new by Anthony and Jane Hi of New Jersey on March 18th, 1992, they managed to only put on 25,872 miles to the odometer during their 10-year ownership. Ernie Fancy became the second owner on August 24th, 2002 with 25,900 miles on the odometer and kept the car in his collection for 13 years. He took the 500E to its regular safety inspections in West Boylston, MA and drove the car regularly. On August 30th, 2015, Ernie would sell the Mercedes to its most recent owner, a notable collector on the East Coast, with the 500E showing 62,000 miles.
Being in such excellent condition, the most recent owner decided that she wanted to show the car at multiple events and that she did. During her ownership of a little more than 3 years, she took home no less than 3 awards with the 500E from the Mercedes-Benz Club of America events, including the President’s Award at the June Jamboree MBCA in Riverdale, New Jersey in 2018. When not driving and showing the Mercedes, she kept the car stored indoors as a part of a larger collection of 30 cars and maintained the car regularly to ensure it was mechanically sorted.
Upon its recent arrival at Canepa, the Mercedes-Benz 500E was meticulously inspected from front to rear. With the Spruce Green metallic paint in excellent condition and the Mushroom leather in a condition that would have you believe the car had half the miles that it does, the 500E was immediately entered into Canepa’s system. Going through the detail-oriented process of the “Canepa Difference”, the car received a full mechanical inspection to ensure that all systems were in their correct working order. Once completed, the car was taken to Canepa’s in-house detailing department where it received one of Canepa’s signature concours-level details. The underside was cleaned to remove anything that didn’t belong, revealing the factory finishes and very apparent care the car received from its owners in the past. The exterior was hand washed carefully to preserve the Spruce Green metallic paint, then polished only with foam pads that revealed a luster and shine that usually only accompanies showroom cars. The interior, engine and trunk were treated to an equal level of cleaning, ensuring nothing was left untouched.
With the “Canepa Difference” now complete on this 500E, the car is nothing short of stunning. The paint finish shines brightly, the interior presents as a car more than half its age and the Mercedes performs as it did in 1993. Ready for its next owner to drive under the radar while hiding a sledgehammer underneath the hood, this 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E will keep you grinning at 50mph or 150mph.
