Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Car Design Event Classic in Germany, an event showcasing some truly remarkable automobiles. Among the highlights at the Nationales Automuseum and the Leica HQ hotel were several classic cars from OEM participants. Following a reader poll about which car to drive, I made it a mission to experience the iconic Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9.
Driving time was limited to just two afternoon sessions. However, let’s just say I maximized my time behind the wheel. This particular 450 SEL 6.9, recently acquired, sported red dealer plates. German regulations meant only the owner, or someone with the owner present, could drive. Fortunately, one of the event organizers was the owner. A bit of British charm, amplified to level 11, and I secured a couple of hours with this legend.
Three Times the Price of a Cadillac: The 450SEL 6.9’s Exclusive Appeal
Years ago, I briefly owned its less potent sibling, a 350SE. A friend, overwhelmed by its fuel consumption, traded it to me for my humble MkVI Escort 1.6S. Despite a bit of rust on the front fender, the 350SE was remarkably well-preserved for a twenty-year-old car (circa 2003). Mercedes-Benz still offered brand-new parts, which amazed me at the time. I enjoyed a few months cruising around east London in it, achieving a rather thirsty 15mpg. Even with its painted wheel trims, it was pure Mercedes class.
That 350SE encapsulated the essence of Mercedes-Benz in that era. A Mercedes was a subtle declaration of class, refinement, and understated dignity. Unlike some of today’s more ostentatious models, these were not about flashy displays. You invested in a Mercedes for its million-mile build quality and impeccable engineering. And it was an investment. When the 450SEL 6.9 debuted in 1975, it commanded a price of approximately 70,000DM in Germany. In North America, its MSRP was $38,230, roughly $190,000 in today’s money. Consider that a 1975 Cadillac Seville, Cadillac’s most expensive model at the time and a direct competitor to European luxury imports like the W116, cost $12,400. The 6.9 was about 30% more expensive than the standard models in the W116 range, like my old 350. Arriving at the country club in the top-of-the-line Mercedes 450sel 6.9 left absolutely no doubt about your financial standing.
Mercedes had a history of installing their largest V8 engines into their flagship sedans. They previously shoehorned the 6.3-liter V8 from the opulent 600 limousine into the W109 chassis, creating the 300SEL 6.3. This model, in turn, inspired the legendary AMG Rote Sau (Red Pig). However, stricter emissions regulations necessitated a larger engine for the new W116. The solution? Enlarging the engine to a massive 6.9 liters (417 cubic inches for those familiar with muscle car displacement). Equipped with Bosch mechanical K-Jetronic fuel injection, it generated 286 horsepower and, more importantly, over 400 lb-ft of torque. This prodigious torque was essential, as this 16’6″ (5-meter) long “Panzer” tipped the scales at a substantial 4400lbs (2000kg).
Driving the 450SEL 6.9: Power Like a Train, Steering Like a Boat
You definitely sense every pound of its weight on the road, but not in a negative way. Despite period reviews comparing it to a German muscle car, the 450SEL 6.9 doesn’t deliver a raw, visceral muscle car experience. Instead, it’s an unstoppable Autobahn stormer. Press the long-travel accelerator pedal to the floor, and sixty miles per hour arrives in just under eight seconds – slightly constrained by the three-speed automatic transmission. The engine, surprisingly subdued in its soundtrack, unleashes a massive wave of torque that propels you effortlessly to triple-digit speeds. Even at high speeds, it feels like it could maintain that pace all day, like the DB Intercity Express between Hannover and Berlin. You’d confidently point the 6.9 towards the unrestricted sections of the Autobahn and demonstrate to much younger cars what 400 lb-ft of torque can achieve from 80mph.
The recirculating ball power steering offers minimal feel and requires considerable effort. You turn the large steering wheel rim and trust for the best outcome. However, the all-around disc brakes effectively manage speed, preventing any near-misses when navigating corners in this German “frigate.” Body roll is present, but well-controlled, preventing seasickness. Mountain switchbacks are not its natural habitat; it’s a cruiser, not a sports car. Earlier, while driving a Lancia Delta Integrale, I had quickly caught up to someone driving this very 450SEL 6.9 and found myself mentally urging them to accelerate. After experiencing the 6.9 firsthand, I realized they likely already had the accelerator fully depressed.
“What Color Is The Boat House At Hereford?” – Ronin and the 6.9’s Stability
There’s a memorable scene in the action thriller Ronin where Robert De Niro’s character, Sam, stands through the sunroof of a 450SEL 6.9 and fires a rocket launcher at a pursuing car at high speed. This is plausible because the 6.9 was the first Mercedes-Benz equipped with a full self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension system. This innovative system eliminates nose-dive under hard braking and squat during rapid acceleration, providing exceptional stability. If your profession involves clandestine government operations, the 450SEL 6.9 offers ample space for your team and equipment, serving as a remarkably stable high-speed platform for, shall we say, “mission-critical activities.” [Ed Note: Director John Frankenheimer actually owned one of these, and I had the chance to see it at the Petersen Auto Museum. – MH]
While it might lack some of the gadgetry found in a Cadillac of the era, the standard climate control, a feature not always included in lesser models, ensures you remain cool even when the operation takes an unexpected turn.
Ownership, however, might induce some “sweating,” and not just due to its sheer size. The owner of this particular car had only driven it a couple of times before generously handing me the keys. It was a comical situation of the inexperienced leading the inexperienced as we fumbled with some of the controls. It features a US-style umbrella handle parking brake and pedal-operated emergency brake. Apparently, there’s a way to adjust the suspension height, but we couldn’t locate the controls. The climate control system also remained an enigma. These 6.9 models have numerous unique components compared to other W116s. The battery itself is substantial enough to jump-start a Lufthansa 747. The engine utilizes a dry-sump lubrication system to fit under the hood and consumes a massive 12 liters (approximately 13 quarts) of oil. The EPA fuel economy ratings are 10 mpg city and 14 mpg highway. The owner mentioned he gets around 12 mpg (imperial). Like many Germans, it enjoys a good drink.
You can imagine the Mercedes-Benz engineers might have indulged in a “breakfast beer” or two when they conceived the 6.9. It’s an audacious machine, yet executed with a characteristically measured and sensible German approach. It’s a precursor to the wave of high-performance sedans that would follow, such as the W124 500E and various AMG models. You could achieve perhaps 85% of the 6.9 experience with a standard 350 or 450, and their fuel economy isn’t significantly better. But there’s no excitement, or potential financial ruin, in sensible choices. And if there’s one thing the Germans are known for, it’s their subtle sense of humor.
