ABC-Exclusive from Bonn in Germany was one of the companies who, together with the likes of Koenig-Specials and Gemballa, did an attempt to create a seriously ultimate wide version of the Mercedes-Benz SEC (W126). Although ABC already came up with a widebodied 500SEC Convertible at the 1983 IAA Frankfurt (with flared fenders but without any of the spoilers and streaks), the definitive style ABC-Exclusive SEC Widebody was introduced in 1985.
The ABC-Exclusive version of the widebody W126 SEC featured Testarossa-type streaks just like the Koenig-Specials SEC, but in a more crude fashion remeniscent of the Koenig SL (R107). Wheel arches front- and rear were widened, a hood scoop was added (Koenig-Specials item?), front bumper with a sort of extended grille (different versions exist), rear wing (again, Koenig?) and the obvious wide 15" Gotti wheels with 285/40 VR15 front and 345/35 VR15 tyres at the rear which were sort of an ABC-Exclusive standard option.
The complete conversion was available for 39.000 DM back in '85 (more than half of the price of a new 500SEC), which was without any further options (interior, engine, convertible-conversion).
The original ABC-Exclusive widebody S-class coupe: this 500SEC convertible was presented at the 1983 Frankfurt Motorshow (IAA) and was not only roofless but also fitted with flared fenders completely different from what the definitive design would become that ABC-Exclusive introduced two years later. Note the completely unfinished product with fake fog lights and (not visible in the photo) non-existent convertible roof.
This 1985 white 500SEC Widebody by ABC-Exclusive is quite likely a very early (first?) model, possibly even a prototype since it has a different style of front bumper with a more protuding airintake (compare to photos below).
This apears to be the same car, for sale in Japan in early 1990s (same unique front bumper, white custom dashboard, seats with white leather and red piping).
This black 500SEC Widebody by ABC was a car from Sweden, built for/by the Swedish ABC-Exclusive dealer and bodyshop Automode. This car has the "production version" of the front bumper, which has a different arrangement of vents compared to the above white car. On the photos the Mercedes-Benz star has been removed and remplaced by an ABC logo which was a clear statement of Mercedes-Benz' dissaproval of conversions like this one.
The back end of the black 500SEC widebody shows a combination of a bootlid spoiler and the mandatory "Koenig-type" rear wing. Also interesting to note is the full-width rear lights.
This 560SEC ABC Wide Body was shown at the 1990 Tokyo Auto Salon at the stand of Yokohama based tuning shop "Bentley Co. Ltd". This ABC Exclusive widebody is of special interest because it has received a special treatment for the shape of the trunk spoiler, posibly using parts of ABC's widebody kit for the BMW E24 6-series which used a similar design.
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Two red ABC-Exclusive widebodies in front of the Bentley shops in Yokohama; a W126 500/560SEC and a W124 300E. In the background a white SEC Convertible can be seen as well. Bentley Co Ltd was a tuning shop that represented ABC-Exclusive, Schulz Tuning, GFG, Koenig-Specials and various other German tuning- and coachbuilt specialists.
The same red 560SEC widebody seen from an aerial view.
Another 500SEC with ABC-Exclusive treatment for sale in late 1980s Japan. The 24k gold plated accesoiries make it stand out, and especially the trunk badge reading "Wide Version" is very telling.
An ABC-Exclusive W126 SEC widebody as presented by GFL Sportline, a company from the south of Germany which among other things was also representative for ABC-Exclusive products in that region. That has been fitted with all kinds of interesting features including a gold-plated grille and a roofspoiler.
Based on a 380SEC this white-gold ABC-Exclusive widebody was for sale in the USA in the late 80s.
A candy apple red 500SEC Widebody Convertible by ABC-Exclusive. This car thicks all the boxes of 1980s extreme tuning; besides the widebody conversion the C126 convertible, which was made roofless by different coachbuilder, was fitted with an interior that sports four white leather covered Recaro seats with red piping and through the front windshield a custom dashboard can be seen (the much wider buldge points to a dash with extra stereo components or possibly even a TV monitor).
Another C126 convertible widebody by ABC-Exclusive, a white one this time. This one is fitted with standard Mercedes seats in white leather with black piping. Compared to the candy-apple red car it becomes clear that fitting the four Recaros in an SEC must have been a real pain, seeing them sticking out much more than the standard seating.
Text: copyright Bram Corts
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