Misallocation

1988 MERCEDES-BENZ 560SEC FORMERLY OWNED BY JOHNNY CARSON

Sold at Barrett-Jackson on Jan. 22, 2025, offered with no reserve.

$31,900Confirmed

The price as reported by the house. Hammer price $29,000, before the buyer's premium. Read from the house's results Nov. 2, 2026.

The car

Year
1988
Make and model
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W111 to W126 and coupes
Generation
W126 and C126
Version
560 SEC
Gearbox
Automatic
VIN
WDBCA45D3JA393306
Condition
Good (3)Likely

Condition is our reading of the listing's description on Hagerty's 1 to 4 scale, not an inspection.

This car's full record

Against comparable sales

Inside the middle half of 61 comparable sales.

Middle half of sales$18,750 to $47,000
Median$32,551
Sales behind it61Likely

From 61 sales of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W111 to W126 and coupes 560 SEC (W126 and C126) in our data over the last 24 months. Hammer prices, before buyer's fees. Half sold between $18,750 and $47,000.

Closest sales

Closest comparable sales
CarAuctionDatePrice
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECBring a Trailer, Sept. 11, 2026Bring a TrailerSept. 11, 2026$37,000
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECMecum, June 5, 2026MecumJune 5, 2026$10,000
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECBring a Trailer, May 18, 2026Bring a TrailerMay 18, 2026$23,500
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECBring a Trailer, May 6, 2026Bring a TrailerMay 6, 2026$15,777
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECBring a Trailer, Feb. 4, 2026Bring a TrailerFeb. 4, 2026$11,500
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECBring a Trailer, Jan. 22, 2026Bring a TrailerJan. 22, 2026$28,250
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECBring a Trailer, April 12, 2025Bring a TrailerApril 12, 2025$8,600
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SECBring a Trailer, April 10, 2025Bring a TrailerApril 10, 2025$58,000

This car's historyConfirmed

Matched across sales by VIN.

DateWhat happenedWhereMilesPrice
June 4, 2024SoldBring a TrailerBring a Trailer$36,750
Jan. 22, 2025Sold (this sale)Barrett-JacksonBarrett-Jackson$31,900
Jan. 30, 2025SoldBring a TrailerBring a Trailer$32,551