The Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 is 45 years old
A PH Hero of the very finest order hits a minor anniversary - time to celebrate!
To most people, marking 45 years since the launch of a fairly plain-looking Mercedes saloon would sound ridiculous. But then we're not most people, and the 450 SEL 6.9 is not any old Mercedes saloon. Granted, 45 is hardly the most significant anniversary - but Mercedes itself is 120 years old this month, and we hardly need an excuse to write about one of the most interesting cars it has ever built.
Why's it so interesting? Beyond the obvious appeal of stuffing 6,834 cubic centimetres into a four-door luxury car - and you thought Mercedes' misnomers were a new thing - it's the SEL's timing that makes it so remarkable. Its launch was in fact delayed from 1973, but the last thing 1975 needed, surely, with that fuel crisis in very recent memory, was an enormous V8 Mercedes. One that, according to the official Mercedes figures, did 17.7mpg. At a cruise.
We're sure as hell glad they did though. By combining that monstrously powerful M100 V8 (286hp isn't the big number, 405lb ft is) with the class and sophistication of the W116-era S-Class, Mercedes had an instant icon on its hands. The engine had actually seen service in the mighty old 600 before the SEL, only tweaked with an increased bore (107mm, from 103) for the additional capacity. The three-speed auto was carried over from the lesser 4.5-litre S-Class, albeit toughened up for the extra strain.
Despite everything against it - the 1,935kg kerbweight, just three gears and just 215-section tyres, the 450SEL 6.9 was capable of hitting 62mph in 7.4 seconds. The claimed top speed of 140mph was "often exceeded in tests by the specialist press." The SEL, by all accounts, was a titan of the mid-70s; bear in mind the Ferrari 308 was launched the same year, with 30hp and 196lb ft less than the mega Merc.
Allied to the hydropneumatic suspension technology, giving what was described at the time as "an optimal combination of excellent driving characteristics and maximum comfort in all speed ranges", the SEL made for quite the exec express. Indeed more than 7,000 6.9s were made in its five years on sale, even though it cost comfortably more than twice what the entry-level W116 did (69,930 Deutsche Marks, against 28,848). Buyers could also option in a Becker AT 160 S car phone, for company director decisions on the move; it cost an incredible 13,543 Deutsche Marks as an extra.
Today, or at least when the SEL was given its Hero's welcome in 2012, it had lost none of its impact, the 6.9 said to be capable of "discreet yet startling pace". Back then, it was still possible to pick up serviceable SELs for less than £20k, though no such luck nowadays, with even lesser 4.5s commanding that sort of money. Still, the 6.9s reputation guaranteed classic status at some point, and richly deserved it is, too. With Mercedes-Benz making the most of its impressive legacy this month, don't be surprised to see its icons lauded in the coming weeks. For a vehicle like the W116 450 SEL 6.9, where more of everything seemed the only possible option, the spotlight is well deserved.
That’s the main visual exterior clue to it being a 6.9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%27%C3%A9tait_un_re...
Surprised I’m the first to post an image of James Hunts one up on bricks.
A wonderful thing, from a time when ‘luxury’ didn’t automatically mean having moo as the default upholstery. Personally I prefer the cloth of these over the MB leather (which even now to me feels like high class plastic).
I may be wrong but I’m sure I read a while ago that if the engine needs rebuilding it costs a fortune, pistons are no longer available (although I believe Mahle will make replacements) etc.
And I know it would be a personal choice but this over a modern MB equivalent? Hell yeah!
That’s the main visual exterior clue to it being a 6.9
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