I can understand that there are at times various doubts that could be levelled at a car such as this 500SEC. As JohnS says, it could well be a grey car and, as such, there will, or I should say could, be a stigma attached to it when it comes to re-selling time. Mind you though, is that stigma really justified when, in fact, it could be a bonus to have a 'smogged' 500 engine that will outrun just about any 560, as well as, wait for it, a 6.9.
The four speed box helps it, of course, but the engine would be a high compression unit, and it would not be strangled by exhaust emission controls. In addition, it'd be more economical fuel wise than a 560 or, for that matter, a 6.9.
Gleaming Beauty's heritage and upbringing are somewhat open to question and raised eyebrows - why, the poor thing lived in Kenya when new, plus she had originally been painted in Taxi White - surely a recipe for disaster for subsequent owners ? So again, a grey import and to be treated with caution. Well, luckily enough for me, it did not turn out badly for me. She's been exemplary from a reliability point of view. So we get back to this 126 Coupe - I reckon if it would pass a thorough and knowledgeable inspection, it could well be an excellent buy. 500s (on account of that stigma) normally don't sell for a lot of money - in this instance, if the car stacks up okay after the inspection, $A7K. maximum should give you a nice car that one could be very proud of.
The other aspect, of course, relates to the minor tune - what is a minor tune ? It could be anything, it could be negligible, it could be very costly, thus caution must prevail. Still, certainly worth looking at. Regards Styria