Vehicle Description
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https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/op5373
Previously owned by comedian Red Skelton
Built in a collaboration between Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in
limited production
Extremely rare factory black over black specification, believed one
of five built
Extensive "Canepa Difference" servicing and mechanical
restoration
All original black paint finish, California car since new
Large collection of service documents, includes owner's manual
Canepa upgrades including BBS Aero II wheels
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 powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine came impressive performance
with 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, an 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 Mercedes-Benz 500E represents a rare example of the
collaboration between Porsche and Mercedes. Color options for 500E
were fairly limited, and many of the colors were relegated to the
usual suspects of silver, dark grey metallic and some other unusual
colors such as Spruce Green metallic. However, if you knew someone
within Porsche it was possible to request a color not available to
the public. Black is one of those colors, unavailable to the common
person without a special connection. This makes a color combination
of black over black 500E extremely rare, even more rare that this
car retains all of its original factory paint finish. A stunning
example, it only adds to its Q-ship status and retains an
aggressive presence that is lacking from the rest. Pair that with
the visceral exhaust note that encourages you to mash the throttle
at all times, this unique Mercedes-Benz 500E is the one to
have.
Purchased in October of 1993, the Mercedes was sold by Beverly
Hills Mercedes-Benz and was purchased by a high-profile supermodel
based in Los Angeles, CA. She owned the car for a few years before
the stealthy 500E was purchased by famous comedian Red Skelton and
his wife, Lothian Skelton. Red hosted the show The Red Skelton Show
from 1951 to 1970, applying his special variety of comedy to
television, film and radio. He retired from performing live in 1993
when he celebrated his 80th birthday. He and his wife, Lothian,
lived in the Los Angeles area until Red's passing in 1997. Lothian
moved to the Palm Springs area a few years later, and would drive
the car sparingly. Most of the miles on the car were amassed during
the first 8 years of ownership, with the Mercedes-Benz driven less
than 3,000 miles between 2001 and 2019. The Mercedes was maintained
regularly at the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Palm Springs,
California, ensuring that it was in proper driving order if Lothian
ever wanted to take the Mercedes out for a drive. When Lothian was
thinking about selling the Mercedes, the service manager in Palm
Springs Mercedes-Benz recommended that she call Bruce Canepa,
saying that he liked these kinds of cars and the quality that it
was currently in. Lothian and Bruce struck up a conversation, and
shortly afterwards Bruce agreed to purchase her Mercedes.
When the 500E recently arrived at Canepa, there was some disbelief
that involved the black over black specification. Supposedly with
only a few ever made, seeing one in person was a rare occasion
indeed. With not a moment to spare, Bruce Canepa had a vision with
the car and immediately entered it into Canepa's system to receive
the "Canepa Difference" process. Comprising of a complete
mechanical inspection and service with a concours-level detailing,
this process is one of the many aspects why Canepa cars are known
for their quality.
The Mercedes received a comprehensive servicing that describes the
"Canepa Difference" by the level of work done. Every individual
system was inspected and gone through if needed. This included
replacing both wiring harnesses, replacing the heater core and air
conditioning evaporator, updating the factory stereo to accept
iPhone connectivity, a new oil pan gasket and PCV tubes, exhaust
tips coated in high-temp magnesium color Keracote, fuel pump and
filter replaced, transmission pump gaskets and seals replaced, and
front shock boots and bump stops replaced.
It was then decided that a set of BBS Aero II wheels, with the
centers painted in Liquid Silver metallic with polished rim lips,
would give the car a subtle yet updated look along with other
subtle Canepa Design visual enhancements. In the meantime, it was
given a complete concours detailing, washing the underside of the
car, exterior, engine bay, and cleaning every square inch of the
interior. The factory black paint finish was polished with only
foam pads and polishes, enhancing the deep luster of the Q-ship
sedan. The 18" BBS wheels were added and completed with new
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in 255/40/ZR18, bringing the look of
the Mercedes-Benz 500E to be a one-of-a-kind bruiser. The original
set of wheels are still available with this Mercedes for those
looking to go back to the originals. In all, the complete servicing
and Canepa Design modifications tallied a total of close to
$80,000, making this car completely set and worthy of the phrase
"needing nothing."
A Mercedes-Benz 500E is a driving automotive history lesson,
showing that manufacturers weren't always in the business of
keeping to themselves. Often times collaborations formed out of
necessity for either technical or expertise needs which often
created extremely innovative and cool projects. With Mercedes-Benz
designing their 500E and the capable hands of Porsche assembling
the Q-ships, these are unique, memorable and ultimately fantastic
driving cars. With this example being one of the very few painted
by the factory in black with a black interior, owned by Red Skelton
and cared for since new by his wife, and paired with the Canepa's
tasteful upgrades to update its look, this Mercedes-Benz 500E is
one for the history books.
