The stellar looking two tone 1978 European specification Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 with unique Ronal Racing 3 piece Turbos is back on eBay, this time with a “Buy It Now” of $30,000. That puts it about about a condition 2 price level by Hagerty’s valuation guide, which overall seems pretty appropriate. Appreciation of these big Benz models is growing and it’s expensive to repair one to properly sorted level. Period mods can go very wrong, but somehow I really love the look of this car – it may be the coolest 6.9 I’ve ever seen. What do you think?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 on eBay
The below post originally appeared on our site July 2, 2014:
I’ll get this right out of the way, and I’m sure that it won’t be the most popular statement: I’m not a big fan of the Ronal Turbo wheels. It’s strange, because I like many, many wheels, but something about the recent editions of the Ronal Turbo just leave me flat. Perhaps its the racing look put onto cars that aren’t racing cars, or the wrong offset, or the wrong finish – I’m not sure. But whenever I see a set pop up on a newer Audi, Volkswagen or BMW I’m just not impressed. However, throw an original set of 3-piece Ronal Turbos on an iconic car from the late 1970s and suddenly they work. Oh, how they work!
Year: 1978
Model: 450SEL 6.9
Engine: 6.9 liter V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 109,000 mi
Price: $30,000 Buy It Now
1978 Mercedes 6.9. I bought this car from the original owners estate. Southern California car its whole life. No rust. Euro spec. Original owner installed full custom exhaust & headers, wheels, and body kit. This car was meticulously maintained its entire life by passionate owner and it shows. Just gone through by MB 6.9 specialist Star Motors. Drives like new. Mechanically it is in excellent condition. Suspension, AC, brakes, transmission, electrical, all in excellent working condition. Paperwork going back to bill of sale and importation documents. This car is turn-key ready to be driven. Cosmetically there are few issues. Due to California sun dash is cracked (I have a replacement dash), also small crack on interior driver’s side door panel where you rest your arm, small rip in passenger front seat, small scrape in rear rubber bumper and rear window regulator needs to be rebuilt. Overall this is an excellent, well maintained, fast, unique, euro spec 6.9 that you can drive and enjoy or take to the next level and make it perfect. I have driven it 500 miles in just the last week!
On Jun-28-14 at 12:00:14 PDT, seller added the following information:
To answer a few questions: The tires are brand new with about 500 miles on them, they were installed about three weeks ago. The car drives perfectly, no vibrations or anything. Like I said it drives like a new car. There a ZERO leaks. Yes I will sell to buyers in Germany, but buyer is responsible for having it picked up and for delivery. thank you.
It’s been a good couple of weeks for Euro 6.9 models at GCFSB; we had the Euro-spec, period modified silver 1978 last week and a bit prior the all-green Euro-spec 1979. This car is slightly different from those two but equally compelling, with some period modifications and in great shape overall. The two-tone silver looks great, the fat wheels really work here and remind me of some of the 1970s Mercedes-Benz high-speed record cars, and the blacked-out bumpers give a menacing stance. I love the Euro lights and the interior looks very inviting. Backed up by good records and mechanical soundness, this certainly looks like a stellar example of the W116 and the modifications set it enough apart that it looks ready to either have the rear seat passenger call in a bomb strike or set the pole-position at Monaco. To me, it’s just about perfectly done, and makes me wonder why anyone would want a newer Benz in the way special cars can do that for you. Of course, newer Benz models will have more speed, comfort, electronic gadgetry and safety – but presence? No, the 450SEL 6.9 wins there, hands down. Or, perhaps, hands up if the bomb strike is being called in.
-Carter
