Mercedes-Benz S-Class Converted Into A Pickup

Built by SGS Styling Garage for its own founder, this 500SEK-based pickup remains one of the strangest and rarest W126 conversions ever made!
 

From Luxury Sedan to Shop Truck
In the 1980s, few cars symbolized German luxury better than the Mercedes-Benz 500SEL, the long-wheelbase flagship of the W126 S-Class. But one example, built by SGS Styling Garage in Hamburg, defied that image entirely. SGS founder Chris Hahn commissioned the conversion of a 500SEL into a working pickup, intending to use it as a company delivery vehicle for hauling parts and promotional purposes. Only a single unit was ever built, making it a true one-off.
 
The Builder Behind the Oddity
SGS Styling Garage was one of several German tuning houses during the 1980s that specialized in bespoke Mercedes-Benz creations. Known for extravagant interiors and custom bodywork, the company operated in the same space as firms like Koenig Specials and Carat Duchatelet. Yet this particular project served a more practical role than the company’s usual clientele demanded. It was Hahn’s own idea to create a stylish utility vehicle capable of carrying parts while showcasing SGS’s craftsmanship.
 

Engineering a Pickup Out of an S-Class
Transforming a W126 sedan into a pickup was no small feat. SGS had to reinforce the chassis and reengineer the rear section to support a functional cargo bed, all while ensuring compliance with Germany’s stringent TüV safety standards. The resulting design retained the 500SEL’s long hood and four-door proportions up front but featured a custom rear bed lined in metal, merging elegance with utility. Despite its workhorse intent, the truck maintained the refined look expected of a Mercedes, finished in Lapis Blue Metallic with a gray leather interior and original wood trim.
 
Power and Performance
Under the hood, the car keeps its Euro-spec M117 5.0-liter light-alloy V8, rated at over 260 horsepower in its most potent form. This engine, paired with a factory rear limited-slip differential, provided smooth and capable performance typical of late-1980s Mercedes engineering. Period data placed the 500SEL’s top speed at around 235 km/h (146 mph) in similar configurations, with acceleration to 100 km/h in just over eight seconds, figures that would have made this the fastest delivery vehicle in Hamburg.
 
The W126 Legacy
When Mercedes launched the W126 in 1979, it represented a leap forward in aerodynamics, efficiency, and passive safety. Chief designer Bruno Sacco’s restrained styling aged gracefully, while the sedan’s structural integrity and attention to detail set new benchmarks for executive cars. The 500SEL, introduced at the upper end of the range, paired a stretched chassis with V8 power, offering a quiet but commanding ride favored by heads of state and corporate elites. Over its production run, Mercedes built nearly 900,000 W126s, making it the most successful S-Class generation in history.
 

A Well-Preserved Relic
The SGS-built pickup retains much of its original appeal today. Its Lapis Blue finish remains in good condition, and the metal-lined bed shows only minimal wear, impressive for a vehicle originally intended for cargo duty. The interior still features upgraded leather upholstery and intact wood trim. It rides on period-correct 17-inch Borbet Type A wheels wrapped in Michelin tires, though minor curb rash hints at decades of use.
 
From Hamburg to Florida
After spending its life in Germany, the unique 500SEL pickup was imported to the United States in 2022. It is currently located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has been listed for sale on eBay with an asking price of $39,000. The car is said to be in solid running condition, with strong throttle response and the same poised drivability that made the W126 platform famous.
 
A Singular Piece of Mercedes History
As far as anyone knows, this is the only Mercedes-Benz 500SEL ever transformed into a pickup by SGS Styling Garage. What began as a practical company tool now stands as a testament to a curious chapter in 1980s automotive creativity, when tuners weren’t afraid to push the boundaries of what a luxury car could be.