This is a truly stunningly gorgeous example of a European specification Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 sedan. Finished in “Anthracite” metallic (code: 172) with black leather seats, the car presents in such a stunning condition that it would certainly rank in the top 20% examples world-wide.
The 450SEL 6.9 sedan is the almighty, high-performance version of the W116 saloon, first introduced to the world at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show. Produced in limited numbers from 1975 through to 1980 with only 1,816 such cars ever exported to North America. It sported the M100 6.9 litre V8 engine boasting a whopping 286bhp, which made it the quickest accelerating and fastest 4-door production sedan in the world at the time.
The 6.9 had the first full four-wheel hydropneumatic suspension system from Mercedes-Benz and was the world’s first passenger car to be fitted with a modern form of ABS, an electronic four-wheel multi-channel anti-lock braking system from Bosch in 1978.
The cars has a very significant place in European luxury motor-car history.
This example is a European delivery so it has higher compression engine (8.8:1) which gave her 15% more horsepower than the American version and even the Australian version which had greater power than the US cars. Visually, the most welcomed aspect to these Euro spec cars is the streamlined bumpers and rectangular headlights which are indeed a great welcome over the very obtrusive (and ugly) North American type bumpers and silly (and even more ugly) round headlights.
This 6.9 was personally imported by a “Judith Hippler” on August 13th, 1985 1980s and full documentation for the import comes with the car along with history files and service books (a whole box to include workshop service manual). The car has resided in Atlanta, Georgia ever since and only recently coming to Illinois this year. The car is without any rust anywhere, including the underside which is entirely scale free.
The car has had 2 US owners who added most of the mileage on highway running. Anyone who might be concerned with the documented 160,000 miles (260,000 klms) won’t appreciate the condition of this car and if fixated on the miles, should gracefully move on. For starters, if someone was to tell you this 6.9 had only 50,000 miles, I think you would believe it – it is THAT good! Recently serviced and all in working order. Mechanically the car is in top shape with no known issues. Just a quick look under the hood is testament to how well this Mercedes has been maintained. All windows work, sunroof, vacuum door-locks, AC is ice cold…. she’s ready to go.
Body and paint is excellent. The car is accident free and the paint appears to be mostly original. It is very shiny and consistent with only minor chips here and there but nothing glaringly so. There is no crazing or cracks in the paint. There is one blemish on the left front of the bonnet which is captured in one of the photographs. Under the engine bay, the factory paint is excellent and the radiator support panel is all original (on repaired cars the engine bay decals are either missing or you can see paint mask-off around them – there is none of this). The bright-work is without scratching of the typical “hazing” that is often seen on Mercedes aluminium mouldings. The rear tail-lights are perfect with the white reverse sections not faded to yellow. The car finishes are truly quite incredible.
The interior is in simply superb condition. She is in great shape with no unsightly wear on the seats, carpets or headliner. All the man-made materials like the dash, console, door panels, carpets, headliner, switches and controls are incredibly like new. The natural leather has just the right amount of, what I call; “early baseball glove patine”. This is very rare to see with these cars as you either have wear-thru on the leather at the squab bolsters and seat cushions, and/or the “horse-hair” padding breaks down and the entire seat upholstery becomes floppy and out of shape. The back seat is very much like new with no wear or marks. The seats themselves are in excellent condition without any degradation of the padding nor the spring bases. Overall, you can describe the interior as almost perfect and to the extent it presents close as it was brand new. It is not and indeed all original.
The dash does NOT have a single crack and is truly factory perfect. Even the steering wheel has all its full grain (they normally wear smooth over time).
The rich burl walnut wood, unique to the 6.9, on the dash is truly excellent whilst the centre console has no fading but a couple of very small clear cracks at the switches. Have a close look at the buttons and switch gear; they are all in good condition. The car has had its stereo change but the factory original Becker comes with the car.
Being a Euro spec SEL, the car comes with the factory rear seat headrests which are adjustable.
The trunk is super clean with its original carpet and additional rubber mat in good condition. The spare tyre is the factory original and has never been installed. The original tool bag comes with the car along with the jack.
She is also a non-smoker car so clean and sweet.
The car presents with all its original features; electric windows, door locks, antenna, original Becker radio, A/C, heater, interior and exterior lights.
Tyres are new old stock, Michelin XWX 215/70-14 which were the factory fitted tyre when new (Only the 6.9 had 215s whereas the standard 450 had 205s). These are mounted original presenting 6 ½ “ wide MB alloy wheels (once again, unique to the 6.9 as the standard 450 had 6” wide alloys).
Mechanically, the car is very strong. She starts without hesitation, idles well in both cold & hot, doesn’t blow any smoke, accelerates with good power, drives smooth without any bumps nor rattles, changes gears on call & smoothly and stops straight & sure. She simply drives as a Mercedes W116 should. All with the behemoth power of the almighty 6.9! (Astute Mercedes enthusiasts will note the washer bottle is missing. A correct replacement is on its way).
The hydropneumatics susopension is fully operational with no leaks.
Not much more can be said but to invite you to take a close look at the many, many photos of this great Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 sedan. Truly in excellent condition, not a show-car but very close and a beautiful example nonetheless. A very unique piece of motoring history for Mercedes Benz and becoming increasingly rare in this condition.
~~ No warnings lights showing – unusual for a Mercedes unless it has been well maintained. All original books filled in by Mercedes authorised dealers and experienced repairers. Original unused spare with proper tools. Perfect looking alloys with “Mercedes correct” Michelin XWX 215/70-14 tyres. Under the hood is like new, interior like new, wood and switch gear like new and not a spec of rust anywhere. Simply one of the nicest 6.9s you will find. ~~
~~International buyers always welcome ~ we have sold and shipped 100’s world-wide.~~
For extra photos on this fine example go to the link below.
The photos are of super high resolution so if you right click on any, you can zoom in and see every little detail and defect in considerable detail.
Click HERE to see many more additional photos!
Click HERE to see many more additional photos!
