In the world of collectible Mercedes-Benz sedans there is one car that is legendary in the Mercedes lineup, and that car is our Pick of the Day, this Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 for sale on ClassicCars.com.
The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, which is known among collectors as simply the 6.9, was introduced in 1974 at the Geneva Auto Show as the successor to the now legendary Mercedes 300SEL 6.3 high performance sedan. Like the 300SEL 6.3, the 6.9 had its displacement number (6.9) affixed to the right side of the trunk lid to differentiate itself from the standard 450SEL. The 450SEL 6.9 was a very limited production car with a total of only 7,380 cars built 1975 to 1981.
The car was a true high performance car and was for years both the quickest and the fastest European sedan in the world. It was capable of 0-60 time of seven seconds flat and had a top speed of 149 mph. This was noticed immediately by enthusiasts and in 1979 a 6.9 finished second in the epic Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash.
Not only is the 6.9 fast it was also built with literally every available option of the time including a full four-wheel hydropneumatic suspension system, as well as the world’s first passenger car to be fitted with ABS brakes. In addition, the options for these cars included heated seats (for driver and all passengers), an electric sunroof, an automatic climate control system, seats in leather or cloth, and wood trim finished in burled walnut veneer on the dash and console. This was exclusive to the 6.9 in place of the Zebrano wood veneer found in other 450SEL models.
The 1979 450SEL 6.9 featured here is described as a European market car that is finished in Anthracite metallic (code: 172) paint with a factory black leather interior.
The seller provides a tremendous amount of information about this 6.9 stating that is a European delivery that has the higher compression engine (8.8:1) with 15% more horsepower than the American version. Also being a Euro spec car, it has the streamlined bumpers and rectangular headlights which look a lot nicer than the huge North American type bumpers the US market round headlights.
They add that this 6.9 was personally imported by a “Judith Hippler” on August 13, 1985, and full documentation for the import comes with the car along with history files and service books. They state that the car has resided in Atlanta, Georgia, ever since it was imported, only recently coming to the seller in Illinois this year. The car is stated to be absolutely and completely rust free. This 6.9 has had only two US owners since it was imported and has covered 160,000 miles. That may seem high, but the seller states that if someone was to tell you this 6.9 had only 50,000 miles, I think you would believe it – it is THAT good!
They go on to state that the 6.9 has been recently serviced and everything is in perfect working order. They state that mechanically the car is in top shape with no known issues. All windows work, sunroof, vacuum door-locks, AC is ice cold. They state that the body and paint is excellent, that the car is accident free and the paint appears to be mostly original with no crazing or cracks in the paint.
Under the hood, the factory paint is excellent and the radiator support panel is all original. You can tell because on repaired cars the engine bay decals are either missing or you can see paint mask-off around them. They add that the bright-work is without scratching or the typical “hazing” that is often seen on Mercedes aluminum mouldings. The rear taillights are perfect, with the white reverse sections not faded to yellow. The Mercedes M100 engine is a 6,834 cc/417 cubic inch dry sump V8 with 286 bhp at 4,250 rpm and 403 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm and looks and sounds to be in amazing condition.
The seller says that the interior is in simply superb condition, 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 the seller calls “early baseball glove patina.”
If you are looking to drive a truly legendary Mercedes sedan and want one that looks to be one of the best preservation examples I have seen of one of these legendary high performance sedans, this 1979 6.9 with a market correct asking price of $55,000 would certainly look to fit the bill.
To view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com, navigate to the listing here.
Have had some beauties! Really want the 68 AMX, 73 GTO and GS Stage , 68 mustang conv,, 69 Stang Coup, 97 Cougar XR7 30th ann/ sport pack. Then theirs……..
The mecanical sunroofs are much better to have on old benzes. The auto one turns mechanical when you have to “help it” close because the cable gums up. Very nice car.