You might recall recently I enjoyed some time at the Car Design Event Classic in Germany. Among the stunning vehicles at the Nationales Automobile Museum and a stay at the Leica HQ hotel, a selection of classic cars from supporting OEMs was present. We asked you, our readers, what you wanted me to drive, and I made it my mission to fulfill those requests.
Time was limited to just two afternoon driving sessions, but being as determined as I am, I made the most of it. Thanks to a peculiar aspect of German vehicle registration, this particular Mercedes-Benz 450 Sel 6.9, recently acquired, was sporting red (dealer) plates. This meant only the owner could drive it, or someone else (like myself) if the owner was on board.
Alt text: Close up of a red dealer plate on a classic Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9, highlighting German vehicle registration.
The owner was also one of the event organizers, so convincing him to spare a couple of hours for a drive required deploying my best British charm.
A Price Tag Three Times Higher Than a Cadillac: The Exclusive Appeal of the 450 SEL 6.9
In the past, I had a taste of this lineage with a 350SE, the 450 SEL 6.9’s less powerful sibling. A friend, overwhelmed by its fuel consumption, traded it to me for my MkVI Escort 1.6S. Despite a bit of rust on the front fender, I was surprised to find genuine Mercedes-Benz parts still readily available around 2003, even for a car over two decades old. That 350SE, largely immaculate, provided months of smoky fun around east London, achieving about 15mpg. It even featured painted wheel trims, a far cry from today’s alloy styles.
Back then, Mercedes-Benz represented understated class, refinement, and inherent dignity. Unlike the ostentatious Benzes seen in modern luxury hotspots, a classic Mercedes was a statement of substance. You weren’t just paying for features; you were investing in million-mile build quality and impeccable engineering. And that investment was significant. Upon its debut in 1975, the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 commanded a price of approximately 70,000DM in Germany. In North America, the sticker price was around $38,230 (roughly $190,000 in today’s money), according to sources like Wikipedia. Consider that the 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 variant was about 30% more expensive than its smaller-engined siblings in the range, like my old 350SE. Arriving at the country club in one of these grand Benzes left no doubt about your financial standing.
This wasn’t Mercedes-Benz’s first foray into fitting their largest V8 into their flagship sedan. They had previously shoehorned the 6.3-liter V8 from the opulent 600 limousine into the W109 chassis, creating the 300SEL 6.3, which later inspired the legendary AMG Rote Sau (Red Pig). However, stricter emissions regulations demanded more for the new model, leading to the engine’s enlargement to a staggering 6.9 liters (417 cubic inches for muscle car enthusiasts). Equipped with a Bosch mechanical K-Jetronic fuel injection system, it generated 286bhp and, more crucially, over 400 lb-ft of torque. This power was essential, as this 16’6″ (5-meter) long Panzer of a car weighed a substantial – brace yourself – approximately 4400lbs (2000kg).
Train-Like Pull and Boat-Like Steering: Driving Dynamics of the 450 SEL 6.9
You feel every ounce of its weight on the road, but not in a negative sense. Despite contemporary reviews comparing it to a German muscle car, the experience isn’t purely visceral. Instead, it’s an unstoppable Autobahn stormer. Plant your foot on the long-travel accelerator, and 60 mph arrives in just under eight seconds – slightly hampered by the three-speed automatic transmission. The engine, surprisingly subtle in its sound, unleashes a massive surge of torque that propels you effortlessly to triple-digit speeds. Even then, it continues pulling like the DB Intercity Express between Hannover and Berlin. The big Mercedes feels like it could maintain this pace indefinitely. You’d confidently point the 450 SEL 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 somewhat vague, power-assisted steering offers both effort and feel-free operation. You turn the large steering wheel and trust for the best outcome. However, the all-around disc brakes effectively manage the speed, preventing you from scraping door handles while navigating corners in this German land yacht. Body roll is present, but controlled, preventing seasickness. Mountain hairpins aren’t its natural habitat; it’s more of a refined cruiser than a sports car. Earlier, while driving the Integrale, I quickly caught up to someone driving this very 450 SEL 6.9 and was mentally urging them to accelerate. After experiencing the 6.9 firsthand, I realized they were likely already at full throttle.
“What Color Is The Boat House At Hereford?”: Ronin and the 450 SEL 6.9’s Pop Culture Moment
There’s a memorable scene in John Frankenheimer’s iconic car chase thriller Ronin, where De Niro’s character, Sam, stands through the sunroof of a 450 SEL 6.9 and fires a rocket launcher at their high-speed target. This audacious act was possible because the 6.9 was the first Mercedes-Benz equipped with a full self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension system. This innovative system prevented nose-dive under heavy braking and squat during hard acceleration, providing a stable platform. If your profession involved covert government operations, the 450 SEL 6.9 offered ample space for your team and equipment, serving as a remarkably stable high-speed weapons platform. [Ed Note: John Frankenheimer, the director, owned one of these, and I had the chance to see it at the Petersen Auto Museum. – MH]
While it might not boast the sheer gadgetry of a Cadillac of the era, the standard climate control, a feature not always included in lesser models, ensured you remained cool even when the mission went awry.
However, owning a 450 SEL 6.9 might induce sweating for different reasons, and not just due to its sheer size. The owner had only driven this particular car a couple of times before generously handing over the keys. Consequently, it was a learning experience for both of us as we deciphered some of the controls – it features a US-style umbrella handle parking brake and pedal, for instance. There’s supposedly a way to adjust the suspension, but we couldn’t locate it. The climate controls also remained an enigma. These 6.9 models have numerous unique components compared to other W116s. The battery alone is substantial enough to jump-start a Lufthansa 747. The engine incorporates a dry-sump lubrication system to fit under the hood – consuming a hefty 12 liters (about 13 quarts) of oil. The EPA fuel economy ratings are 10/14 mpg city/highway. The owner mentioned he achieves around 12 mpg (imperial). So, much like many Germans, it enjoys a good drink.
One can imagine the Mercedes-Benz engineers might have indulged in a hearty breakfast beer when conceiving the 6.9. It’s an audacious vehicle, yet executed with typically measured, sensible German engineering. It stands as a precursor to the numerous high-performance sedans that would follow, such as the W124 500E and various AMG models. You could achieve 85% of the experience with a standard 350 or 450, with marginally better fuel economy, but where’s the fun, or financial ruin, in that? If there’s one thing the Germans are known for, it’s their subtle sense of humor.
Top graphic: Robert De Niro in Ronin via YouTube screen grab
