In the opulent 1980s, for those with discerning tastes and deep pockets, a standard Mercedes-Benz simply wouldn’t suffice. To cater to this demand for exclusivity and personalization, a thriving aftermarket scene emerged in Germany, with companies like AMG, Duchatelet, and Lorinser leading the charge. These tuners transformed already luxurious vehicles into rolling statements of individuality, offering modifications ranging from subtle body enhancements to extravagant overhauls, incorporating cutting-edge technology like car phones and high-end stereos.
Tamiya, renowned for their precision model kits, perfectly captured this era with their 1/24 scale Mercedes 500sec kit released in 1982. This kit was a benchmark for detail and accuracy in model car construction. A year later, Tamiya re-released the kit as the Lorinser version, depicting a tastefully modified 500SEC from a tuner known for their refined approach to appearance and comfort upgrades. This Lorinser edition featured newly tooled parts including a distinctive body kit, iconic BBS “Mahle” wheels, and interior refinements such as Recaro seats and a period-correct Telefunken car phone. Regrettably, this sought-after Lorinser version has never been reissued, making original kits quite valuable on the collector’s market today. Fortunately, I managed to acquire one at a reasonable price a few years back, ready for a detailed and customized build.
For this particular Mercedes 500SEC project, I wanted to experiment with vibrant colors and diverse finishes to truly make it stand out. The body was painted in Tamiya Mica Red, applied over their pink primer to enhance the vibrancy of the red hue. To elevate the interior realism, I used Mr. Model upholstery decals for the seats and door panel inserts, adding a touch of texture and authenticity. Given the highly visible nature of the interior in this model, I went further by adding a fine cord to the car phone for added detail. I also meticulously removed the molded mesh from the headrests, replacing it with real mesh for a more refined and realistic look. The luxurious burl wood trim, a signature of high-end Mercedes interiors, was replicated using swirled Tamiya brown paints, finished with a top coat of clear orange to achieve a convincing glossy wood effect.
To add depth and realism, I applied subtle weathering effects to the chassis and engine components. The engine bay was further enhanced with a 3D-printed distributor, a small detail that significantly improves the engine’s visual accuracy. Aftermarket detailing parts for the exterior were kept minimal, focusing on key areas. A photo-etched Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star emblem was added to the trunk lid, replacing the molded plastic part with a finer, more scale-accurate representation. USCP 3D-printed valve stems were also incorporated, replacing the basic kit parts with more detailed and realistic versions. I’m still considering adding a proper antenna for the car phone to the roof, which, while potentially visually disruptive, would be period-accurate and complete the 1980s executive car aesthetic.
