1981 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets a bucket and becomes a luxury pickup truck for US$ 11,500

An example of the 1981 Mercedes-Benz S-Class underwent radical ‘surgery’ and transformed into a pickup, ‘poking’ the purism of the German brand’s collectors. The customization, carried out in the United States, replaced the rear of the executive sedan with a functional bed, maintaining the visual identity and luxury standard characteristic of the 280SE model.

What differentiates this unit from other automotive ‘lasagna’ is the execution: the conversion features a finish that suggests a factory design, preserving the lines of the B-pillar and integrating the bucket into the monocoque body with aesthetic coherence. Unlike the pickup trucks based on the BMW M3, which were born as sports prototypes of the automaker itself, this Mercedes is a purely handmade work, evoking the style of the Australian ‘utes’ or the classic Chevrolet El Camino.

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The look is enhanced by era-specific details: American-spec headlights, yellow fog lights, wheels with thin white stripe tires, and chrome fender flares, a popular accessory in the 1980s. The interior maintains the sober luxury of Mercedes-Benz, with no drastic modifications apparent in the images released.

Located in Washington state, the vehicle is advertised on Facebook Marketplace for US$ 11,500 (approximately R$ 66 thousand at the current price). The seller, who claims not to be the author of the modification, points out an important detail for the potential buyer: the car is not running. Equipped with the 2.8-liter six-cylinder in-line engine, the vehicle was running when it was purchased by the current owner, but after a period of stoppage, it needs a complete cleaning of the fuel system and a new battery to return to activity.

Despite the need for mechanical repairs, the body appears to be in good condition, with no visible signs of rust or serious misalignments in the adaptation of the bucket, making it a viable project for exotic vehicle enthusiasts.