Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Car Design Event Classic in Germany, an event that allowed me to immerse myself in the world of automotive history. Among the stunning vehicles on display at the Nationales Automuseum and those brought by supporting OEMs, one particular model stood out and captured my attention – the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9. Following a poll asking our readers which car they’d like me to drive, the 450 SEL 6.9 was a clear favorite, and I was more than happy to oblige.
Driving opportunities were limited to just two afternoon sessions, making time a precious commodity. However, driven by a bit of rebellious spirit and a thirst for experience, I made sure to savor every moment behind the wheel. Adding to the unique circumstances, this particular 450 SEL 6.9, recently acquired, was still sporting red dealer plates. German registration quirks meant that only the owner could drive it, or someone else (like myself) if the owner was present.
Fortunately, one of the event organizers was the owner, and convincing him to join me for an extended drive required deploying my full arsenal of British charm. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse, and I was soon to discover why this car holds such a legendary status.
A Price Tag Three Times That of a Cadillac
My history with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or Sonderklasse, goes back some time. Years ago, I owned a 350SE, the ‘baby’ of the W116 range. A friend, on a whim, had purchased it but was quickly deterred by its less-than-stellar fuel consumption. In a moment of automotive madness, I traded my trusty Ford Escort 1.6S for it. This was around 2003, and while the front fender showed some rust, I was amazed to find that genuine Mercedes-Benz parts were still readily available. Despite being over two decades old, the rest of the car was in remarkable condition. For a few glorious months, I cruised around East London, enjoying the smooth ride and the distinctive presence of the S-Class, albeit at a fuel cost of around 15mpg. Even with its painted wheel trims instead of the more desirable alloy wheels, it oozed a certain understated class.
That experience encapsulated the essence of Mercedes-Benz in that era. A Mercedes was a statement of quiet confidence, refined taste, and inherent dignity. They weren’t about ostentatious displays of wealth, unlike some of today’s more flamboyant luxury cars. You weren’t just paying for features; you were investing in unparalleled build quality and impeccable engineering, designed to last for hundreds of thousands of miles. And this quality came at a price. When the 450 SEL 6.9 debuted in 1975, it commanded a price of approximately 70,000DM in Germany. In North America, the MSRP was around $38,230, which translates to roughly $190,000 in today’s money. Consider this: a 1975 Cadillac Seville, then Cadillac’s most expensive model and a direct competitor to European luxury imports like the W116, cost $12,400. The 6.9 was significantly more expensive than even the smaller-engined S-Class models, like my old 350. Arriving at any exclusive venue in the 450 SEL 6.9 left absolutely no doubt about your financial standing.
This wasn’t Mercedes-Benz’s first foray into fitting their largest V8 engine into their flagship sedan. They had previously shoehorned the 6.3-liter V8 from the prestigious 600 limousine into the W109 chassis, creating the 300 SEL 6.3, which in turn inspired the legendary AMG “Rote Sau” (Red Pig) racing sedan. However, with increasingly stringent emissions regulations, the 6.3-liter unit was deemed insufficient for the new W116 model. The solution? Increase the displacement to a massive 6.9 liters (417 cubic inches for those familiar with American muscle car terminology). Equipped with Bosch mechanical K-Jetronic fuel injection, this engine produced a respectable 286 horsepower, but more importantly, a colossal 405 lb-ft of torque. And it needed every bit of it, because this imposing 16-foot-6-inch (5-meter) long sedan weighed in at a substantial 4400 lbs (2000kg).
Power Like a Locomotive, Steering Like a Liner
Out on the road, you are acutely aware of every pound of this car, but not in a negative way. Despite contemporary road tests drawing comparisons to German muscle cars, the 450 SEL 6.9 doesn’t deliver that raw, visceral muscle car experience. Instead, it is the ultimate Autobahn stormer, a vehicle engineered for effortless high-speed cruising. Press the long-travel accelerator pedal firmly, and sixty miles per hour arrives in just under eight seconds – slightly hampered by the three-speed automatic transmission. The engine, surprisingly muted in its sound, unleashes a tidal wave of torque that propels you relentlessly towards triple-digit speeds. Even at high velocity, the 450 SEL 6.9 feels like it could maintain that pace indefinitely, akin to a German Intercity Express train effortlessly gliding between major cities. You would have no hesitation in pointing this Mercedes towards an unrestricted section of the Autobahn and demonstrating to much younger, ostensibly faster cars just what 400+ lb-ft of torque can achieve from 80 mph upwards.
The power-assisted recirculating ball steering, while requiring effort, offers minimal feedback, demanding a degree of faith as you turn the large steering wheel and hope for the best. However, the all-around disc brakes are more than capable of shedding speed effectively, preventing any undignified scraping of door handles when navigating corners in this German land yacht. Body roll is present, but well-controlled, preventing any seasickness amongst passengers. Mountain passes with tight hairpins are not its natural habitat; the 450 SEL 6.9 is a refined wafter, not a nimble carver. Earlier in the day, while driving a Lancia Delta Integrale, I had rapidly closed in on someone driving this very 450 SEL 6.9 and, in my enthusiasm, was mentally urging them to accelerate. After experiencing the 6.9’s performance firsthand, I realized they likely already had the accelerator pedal buried in the carpet.
“What Color Is The Boat House At Hereford?” – Ronin Moment
There’s a memorable scene in the iconic John Frankenheimer car chase thriller Ronin where Robert De Niro’s character, Sam, stands through the sunroof of a 450 SEL 6.9 and fires a rocket launcher at a pursuing vehicle at high speed. This cinematic feat is plausible because the 6.9 was the first Mercedes-Benz to feature a full self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension system. This innovative system effectively eliminates dive under heavy braking and squat during hard acceleration, providing exceptional stability. For those whose profession might involve clandestine government operations, the 450 SEL 6.9 offers ample space for a team and equipment, and it serves as a remarkably stable high-speed platform – [Ed Note: Director John Frankenheimer actually owned one of these, and I had the chance to see it at the Petersen Automotive Museum. – MH]
While it might not boast the sheer gadgetry of a contemporary Cadillac, the 450 SEL 6.9 came standard with climate control, a feature not always found on lesser models in the range. This ensured that even if your covert operation took an unexpected turn, you could at least remain cool and composed.
However, ownership might induce a different kind of sweat, and not just due to its sheer size. The owner of this particular car admitted to having driven it only a couple of times before generously handing me the keys. Consequently, it was a somewhat comical scenario of the blind leading the blind as we attempted to decipher some of the controls. It features a US-style umbrella handle parking brake and a pedal-operated parking brake, adding to the initial confusion. There’s apparently a method for adjusting the self-leveling suspension, but we couldn’t locate it during our limited time. The climate controls also remained an impenetrable enigma. Furthermore, the 6.9 model incorporates many unique components compared to other W116 variants. The battery, for instance, is reportedly large enough to jump-start a Boeing 747. The engine utilizes a dry-sump lubrication system to achieve a lower profile and fit under the hood, and it requires a substantial 12 liters (approximately 13 quarts) of oil. The EPA fuel economy figures are a rather thirsty 10 mpg city and 14 mpg highway. The owner mentioned achieving around 12 imperial mpg, confirming its penchant for fuel consumption. It’s clear the Mercedes engineers might have indulged in a hearty breakfast beer (or two) when they conceived the 6.9.
The Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 is, in essence, a wonderfully excessive creation, yet executed with typical German precision and engineering integrity. It stands as a precursor to the lineage of high-performance luxury sedans that followed, such as the W124 500E and the various AMG models. While a standard 350 or 450 SEL might offer 85% of the experience with marginally better fuel economy, they lack the sheer thrill and potential financial imprudence of the 6.9. And if there is one thing the Germans are known for, it is their subtle, often self-deprecating, sense of humor.
