Every so often, internet collector car auction sites turn up something that’s simply off the chain. Something awe-inspiring, something tailored particularly for one person’s taste, something that embodies the spirit of ‘find another.’ This is one of those cars. If modern Mercedes-Benzes aren’t doing anything for you, how about a V12 W140 S600 station wagon with an absurdly green interior? Oh yeah, this hits the spot, alright.
This rather unusual Sonderklasse is being put up for auction by British specialists DK Engineering. Yes, the same company that was selling the absolutely bonkers Heuliez Intruder. They’re also the exclusive U.K. distributor for McMurtry Automotive, so it’s not a huge surprise a car of this caliber is coming through them.
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Needless to say, coachbuilt S600 wagons aren’t exactly common, so what’s the story with this one? Is it an immaculately preserved example sourced from a deeply private collection? Well, according to the auction listing, it’s but a tribute, albeit a rather good one.
Taking inspiration from each of these cars, Falcon Design was tasked with creating the S600 estate that was never built. Sourcing a long-wheelbase S600L from Japan, Falcon undertook the same process that AMG would have. The complex process including grafting on the extended roof line and rear hatchback of an S210 E-Class estate to the rear of the S-Class. Opting for fixed back rear seats instead of folding for optimum comfort and space, the build of this example did not necessitate the movement of the fuel tank.
Mating that S210 E-Class wagon roofline and rear glass to the form of a W140 results in a package that looks simultaneously somewhat awkward yet oddly compelling. Details like the fuel filler flap sitting partially above the window line and the oddly short and pinched lower edge of the hatch really highlight how much of the coachbuilding was a make-do project, and the non-folding rear seats seem like another compromise for feasibility.
However, it’s hard to deny that a white S600 wagon has presence, especially on a set of period-correct color-matched AMG wheels. It’s a huge statement piece, and that’s before we get into the really shocking part of this car — you might’ve seen green interiors before, but there’s a chance you haven’t seen a green interior quite like this.
Wild, right? Sure, the carpets, seat consoles, and seat belts are black, but everything else including the wood is an absolutely magnificent shade of emerald. It genuinely takes a minute or two for the eyes to adjust, but once that happens, you wish that this sort of bravery would happen more often.
Oh, and lets not forget that this thing’s an S600, meaning it the same sort of six-liter M120 V12 as was used in the Pagani Zonda C12. With the right set of pipes, this legendary V12 can sound absolutely absurd, but even in stock form, 402 horsepower isn’t anything to sneeze at.
As for exactly what this S600 estate conversion will go for, it’s really anyone’s guess. These sort of coachbuilt machines could bring relatively modest money, or they could absolutely smash it out of the park if two people get into a bidding war. We’ll know for sure soon, since this auction kicks off on July 31, and closes on Aug. 7.
(Photo credits: DK Engineering)
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The green is fantastic, but that D pillar is all kinds of upsetting. I don’t like it.
A google search shows there have been some decent W140 wagon conversions. This isn’t one of them.
Not sure where I stand on the green though. Looks hideous in the first photo, but decent in the second photo. Not a fan of a the colour-matched woodgrain either.
That thing is hideous. I hope he plans on keeping it forever.
I like green usually, but holy moly.
It says it is Designo Jade Green interior. That was a factory option from M-B?
My biggest beef with this is the “wall” in the trunk area behind the rear seats. Not sure what that is, I guess it needed it stay to keep the car from falling apart?
“Guide price (hammer) £225k – £250k”. For that money, I’ll just stick with an E-class.
Mercedes puts the fuel tank there
This interior aside; an S class wagon should have and still be a thing. Long wheel base + rwd = who wants to do donuts kids and dogs?
Weirdly, my first involuntary thought was not how bad it looks but to remember the flavor of some horrific green cough syrup from the 70s.
“…402 horsepower isn’t anything to sneeze at.”
Mercedes-Benz reduced the horsepower figure from 402 bhp (300 kW/408 PS) to 388 bhp (290 kW/394 PS) in 1993. This featured car is 1996 model.
Another reason to have the proofreaders at The Autopian…
that is fact checking, slightly different task
And based on this comment, you’re qualified. : )
Ha! thanks
Perfect car for taking the nieces and nephews out for ice cream as the “fun uncle” and explaining that the green upholstery is made from the skins of Kermit the Frog and all of his family members.
Generational trauma does not transmit itself, you know.
Or be a truly cool uncle, and tell ’em it’s the Wizard’s car from the Emerald City.
Well done.
New car of my dreams, here I come. Didn’t know it existed.
Atrocious green though. Amazing bodywork.
This is very 1000SEL, and reminds me of the Zender 280TE:
blob:https://www.theautopian.com/b748c893-6a51-4112-bcc9-58412c00b8a0
The green is great. But I can’t get behind that body work. It looks like exactly what it is. The long roof from a very different car grafted on, but not with quite enough gumption to overcome any of the hurdles, like the tiny odd looking lift gate, the crazy thick C pillars, the very high fuel door, the non folding seats in the rear, etc. There was far too much compromise here for the final product to work for me. But the dedication to green is pretty impressive.
yeah, who could live with a very high fuel door… i like it
How about a very green 1974 Chevy Monte Carlo! Green inside and out!
https://autohunter.com/Listing/Details/23767284/1974-Chevrolet-Monte-Carlo
You know, we mourn the loss of green cars in modern times, then come across this…
I almost bought a deep emerald green Mk V Lincoln, inside and out a decade ago but chickened out. We need more green.
It’s the best color by far!
I’ll say the same thing I said the first time I laid eyes on this thing. I love the green, I love the white, I have no issue with the hatch or the fixed seats. I just hate that the greenhouse slopes ever so slightly downward at the back. If it was perfectly boxy like the Stagea, it’d look a million times better.
But the green interior? Amazing, it’s so silly and that’s the point. 6 into 1 headers are a must!
Amazing. Truly amazing.
That interior looks like either the wrong filter on the lens or REALLY bad lighting. I think driving it has to hurt your eyes in the long term.
If I were taking the order, I would probably have the same look on my face as Porsche did when Matt Farah ordered his Frozenberry over Red Boxster. Shame my face has subtitles sometimes…
Someone should green screen a real interior into this car.
Or like a pizza texture.
The possibilities are endless.
Bacon. Bacon interior for sure.
You really have to wonder if the guy at the coachbuilder taking down this order was able to keep a straight face. I picture him as the long suffering but ever professional butler nodding respectfully at this wealthy (but utterly devoid of taste) employer’s whims, “Emerald green steering wheel, seats, carpets, headline and dashboard. Yes, very good sir.” “
This is why I couldn’t be in sales… my face has subtitles.
I think it’s the contrast, Cream, not white paint and a deeper green. Like my aunt’s ’73 New Yorker. Bonus points for paisley.
Last car I saw this green inside was a Lincoln Mk V I looked at a few years ago. I sometimes kick myself but liquidity is good.
I was thinking the same thing.
1970s Ford called and they want their interior upholstery dye back.
My one aunt had a cream ’70s New Yorker with a green paisley interior if I recall. I hated it as kid but want it now. Want my uncles squarebody Scottsdale pickup too.
Honda has dabbled green interiors with the rare olive color interior in the first gen pilot. They even followed up with an even rarer blue interior in the second gen pilot. I don’t know who was making decisions at that time but I applaud them for pushing these colors through even if for a very limited run.
It’s a bit over the top, but this could still sell for a lot of green.
The green interior will ultimately keep the price down. There will be few people who would seriously want to own a car with this interior. And of that group, only a fraction would accept the good idea but strange execution of the wagon backside that doesn’t quite fit.
green interiors are awesome
Vivid
Top shot immediately made me shout in my mind: “You gotta tell ’em! It’s pee-plllle!!”
Its only competition, really.
https://www.autoblog.com/2021/01/13/very-green-lincoln-continental/
I almost bought one of these for fun during the pandemic and regret not doing it. Green velour, how can you resist?!
Lincoln really does green well, doesn’t it? This one even has a green spare wheel!
https://carsonline.bonhams.com/en/listings/lincoln/continental-mkii/dfd6cdfe-bc66-4c19-8a71-6813ceba7aac
That is gorgeous, love the Mark IIs
Like the interior of this better than V10omous’ 70’s Continental, which in turn, I like better than the single hue of the the subject article. The two-shades of green combined with the textured metal isn’t too shabby. Automakers really need to get back to multi-shades of color and textured metals in interiors.
Wow! Love that pillowed velor greenness!
I’m rather partial to this Irish State Limousine:
https://www.rsande.co.uk/product/rolls-royce-silver-shadow-1968
I like some green but in this case I agree it isn’t easy loving green