I’m no experienced Mercedes-Benz technician or professional mechanic by trade ... Photo by Chris Chin for Gear Patrol But despite that extra hassle, the W126 remains incredibly rewarding to drive and ...

Last on our list is the most successful S-Class generation to have ever been created; the W126. Produced for a total of 12 years, Mercedes-Benz managed to sell 892,123 W126 sedans and coupes.

Mercedes-Benz had three different platforms that utilized this engine base: Namely the 1978-1980 W116, 1981-1985 W126 S-Class sedans, as well as some of the 1978-1986 W123-platform cars.

The then-independent tuner took 300E and 300CE models, removed the factory straight-six, and replaced it with its own version of the Mercedes-Benz 5.6-liter V6 that powered the W126 560 SEC model.

It’s impossible not to think of the previous six generations of Mercedes S-Class as you approach ... or airbags (1981’s W126). Remember the awe you experienced the first time you saw a car ...