1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9

It’s been a while since we saw Paul’s near perfect Silver Euro 450SEL 6.9 during V8 week last fall. These super-sedans established a trend Mercedes-Benz continues today; stuffing the largest V8 they can find into the largest sedan they can build. For many, it’s a winning combination – while the 6.9 was no slalom-assassin, there was simply nothing else that came close to this combination in the 1970s. Remember, this was the time period where the fastest Audi had around 113 horsepower in Europe. Then there was BMW, producing the 733 which made the Audi look downright slow but was still nearly 100hp shy of the Mercedes. But 1979 signaled the end of an era and the start of a new one, with two turbocharged sedans introduced signaling the future: Audi would release the 200 5T Turbo and BMW the 745i Turbo, and while both still couldn’t come close to the power output of the 6.9 they were much more efficient, modern motors. It wasn’t just the era of the giant motor that was on its way out, either, as the aging W116 was also on the verge of being retired in favor of the newer and more stylish W126 – a car that subsequently has become such a legend even in its own time. It’s easy therefore to discount the importance and significance of a car like the 6.9, but what it did was show us what would happen when engineers dared to let their hair down. Today there’s a lower mile example on Ebay:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 on eBay

Year: 1979
Model: 450SEL 6.9
Engine: 6.9 liter V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 33,000 mi
Price: $38,950 Buy It Now

Absolutely amazing condition, one of the rarest cars with 6.9 liter engine with 33,000 Miles! Only 576 was made for North America. Very strong and very fast. No rust, no issues. All original. The front dash has been replaced though. The car can be a daily drive. Own a piece of fine engineered History seemingly made for the Royalties. Here are the specs:
Specifications[edit]
Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9[8]
Manufacturer Daimler-Benz AG
Class Five-passenger, four-door luxury sedan
Body Styles Four-door sedan
Predecessor 300SEL 6.3
Successor None
Shares components with Mercedes-Benz 600, Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, other Mercedes-Benz W116 sedans
Wheelbase: 116.5 in 2960 mm
Front track 59.9 in 1521 mm
Rear track 59.3 in 1505 mm
Overall length: 210 in 5335 mm
Width: 73.6 in 1870 mm
Curb weight: 4390 lb 1985 kg
Fuel tank capacity 25.3 US gal 95 L
Trunk (boot) capacity 18.2 ft³ 0.52 m³
Battery capacity 12 V, 88 A·h
Steering wheel turns 2.7 lock-to-lock
Turning circle 40 ft 12.1 m
Head Room – Front 38.6 in 980 mm
Leg Room – Front 41.7 in 1060 mm
Hip Room – Front 57.5 in 1460 mm
Shoulder Room – Front 55.1 in 1400 mm
Head Room – Rear 37.1 in 942 mm
Leg Room – Rear 38.1 in 967 mm
Hip Room – Rear 59.5 in 1510 mm
Shoulder Room – Rear 54.9 in 1394 mm
Engine V-8, Bosch fuel injection, electronic ignition, two single overhead camshafts, five main bearings
Net power @4250 rpm
(World) 286 PS 210 kW
Net torque @3000 rpm
(World) 405 lbf·ft 549 Nm
Net power @4000 rpm
(North America) 250 hp 186 kW
Net torque @2500 rpm
(North America): 360 lbf·ft 488 Nm
Compression ratio
(World) 8.8:1
Compression ratio
(North America) 8.0:1
Bore/stroke 4.21 × 3.74 in 107 × 95 mm
Displacement 417.1 in³ 6834 cc
Maximum engine speed 5300 rpm
Transmission: Three-speed automatic with torque converter
Rear axle ratio 2.65:1
Tires and wheels Michelin XWX 215/70VR14 steel-belted radial; 6.5Jx14 light alloy
Braking system Dual-circuit, power-assisted hydraulic, four-wheel disc brakes. Front discs ventilated.
Total swept brake area 456.5 in² 2945 cm²
0-60 mph (0–96 km/h) 7.1 seconds
Top speed (World) 225 km/h (139.8 mph)
Production World North America
1975 474 0
1976 1475 0
1977 1798 462
1978 1665 437
1979 1839 576
1980 129 317
1981 4 0
Total 7380 1816

Here is a 6.9 in action in a high speed drive through Paris, The sound belong to a Ferrari:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ0_aZKWKjs
The AC and Compressor work but the buttons for mode don’t. The knob for the hydraulic is missing.
It is in original and wonderful condition for it’s age.
You won’t be disappointed. Good luck.

Compared to some of the color combinations on the W116, the dark blue with blue leather is pleasing. Unfortunately missing are some key trim pieces on the front and rear bumper which make this car look a bit oddly proportioned in the bumper area – which they were, in U.S. form. Also unfortunate is the inclusion of the chrome fender surrounds which often seem to hide rust. Otherwise, the car appears pretty well kept though not in top condition. Hagerty’s value guide puts a condition 1 6.9 at about $42,000 and condition 2 in the high $20,000 range. With that in mind, the pricing seems out of line with the current market but it does fall squarely in between the more desirable Euro-spec car that Paul posted. While the super-sedan blueprint was later followed by many, it has a limited market due to the somewhat polarizing styling and higher entry price.

-Carter