Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to experience the Car Design Event Classic in Germany, a truly memorable few days. The event showcased stunning vehicles at the Nationales Automobile Museum, and even the hotel was part of the Leica HQ, adding a touch of prestige to the stay. Among a curated collection of classic cars brought by supporting OEMs, we asked our audience which vehicle they’d like to see driven, and I aimed to fulfill those requests to the best of my ability.
Driving time was limited to just two afternoon sessions. However, driven by a bit of rebellious spirit, I made sure to take my time regardless. Due to a peculiar aspect of German car registration, this particular Mercedes Benz 450 Sel 6.9, recently acquired, was sporting red (dealer) plates. This meant only the owner, or someone driving with the owner present (like myself), could operate the vehicle.
The owner happened to be one of the event organizers. Convincing him to spare a couple of hours for a drive required deploying my most persuasive charm.
A Price Tag Three Times That of a Cadillac
In the past, I owned a smaller sibling of this automotive giant, a 350SE. A friend, on a sudden impulse, had bought it but found the fuel consumption too much to handle. We ended up swapping it for my MkVI Escort 1.6S. While the front fender had some rust, I was amazed to find that, around 2003, parts were still readily available brand new from Mercedes Benz. Despite being over twenty years old, the rest of the car was in excellent condition, and I enjoyed a few months cruising around east London, albeit with a fuel economy of around 15mpg. It even had painted wheel trims – no fancy alloy wheels for me back then.
That experience encapsulated the essence of Mercedes-Benz at the time. A Mercedes was a subtle declaration of class, refinement, and dignity. They weren’t about flashy displays, unlike some of today’s more ostentatious luxury cars. You weren’t just paying for features; you were investing in unparalleled build quality and impeccable engineering. And it was indeed an investment. When the Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9 debuted in 1975, it commanded a price of approximately 70,000DM in Germany. In North America, its list price was around $38,230 (roughly $190,000 in today’s money), according to Wikipedia. To put this in perspective, a 1975 Seville, Cadillac’s most expensive model at the time and aimed at competing with European luxury imports like the W116, cost $12,400. The 6.9 was about 30% more expensive than the smaller-engined versions within the same range, such as my old 350. Arriving at the country club in one of these grand Mercedes 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 installed the 6.3-liter V8 from the 600 limousine into the W109 to create the 300SEL 6.3, which later became the foundation for the legendary AMG Rote Sau (Red Pig). However, stricter emissions regulations necessitated a larger engine for the new model, leading to the displacement increase to 6.9 liters (417 cubic inches for those familiar with muscle car measurements). Equipped with a Bosch mechanical K-Jetronic fuel injection system, it produced 286 horsepower and, more impressively, over 400 lb-ft of torque. And it needed every bit of it, considering this 16’6″ (5-meter) long and substantial vehicle weighed around 4400lbs (2000kg).
Performance and Handling: Power Like a Train, Steering Like a Boat
You definitely feel every pound of its weight on the road, but not in a negative way. Despite contemporary reviews comparing it to a German muscle car, it doesn’t offer that raw, visceral sensation. Instead, it’s an unstoppable Autobahn cruiser. Press the long-travel accelerator pedal to the floor, and sixty miles per hour arrives in just under eight seconds – slightly restrained by the three-speed automatic transmission. The engine, somewhat surprisingly subtle in its sound, unleashes a massive surge of torque that propels you effortlessly to highway speeds and beyond. Even at higher speeds, it continues to pull with the force of a German Intercity Express train. The Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9 feels like it could maintain this pace all day, without faltering. You’d confidently point this car towards the unrestricted sections of the Autobahn and demonstrate to much younger vehicles what 400 lb-ft of torque can achieve from 80 mph.
The power steering, utilizing a recirculating ball system, is both heavy and somewhat devoid of feedback. You turn the large steering wheel rim and hope for the best outcome. However, the all-around disc brakes are sufficiently effective at shedding speed, preventing any close calls when navigating corners in this German land yacht. Body roll is present, but body movements are well-controlled, preventing any seasickness. Mountainous hairpin turns aren’t its natural habitat; it’s a comfortable cruiser, not a sports car. Earlier, while driving the Integrale, I quickly approached another driver in this Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9 and was mentally urging them to accelerate. After experiencing the 6.9 from behind the wheel myself, I realized they were likely already pushing it to its limit.
“Ronin” Ready: Stability and Features
There’s a memorable scene in the iconic John Frankenheimer car chase thriller Ronin where De Niro’s character, Sam, stands through the sunroof of a Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9 and fires a rocket launcher at a pursuing vehicle at high speed. This was feasible because the 6.9 was the first Mercedes equipped with a full self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension system. This innovative system prevented nose-dive during hard braking and rear-squat during acceleration, providing exceptional stability. If your profession involves clandestine government operations, the 6.9 offers ample space for your team and equipment, serving as a remarkably stable, high-speed platform [Ed Note: John Frankenheimer, the director of Ronin, owned one of these, and I had the chance to see it at the Petersen Auto Museum. – MH].
While it might not have been packed with gadgets compared to a Cadillac of the era, standard climate control, a feature not always found in lesser models, ensured you wouldn’t break a sweat even when the mission took a turn for the worse.
However, ownership might induce some sweating, and not just due to its sheer size. The owner had only driven this particular car a couple of times before generously handing me the keys. It was a bit of a “blind leading the blind” situation as we tried to decipher some of the controls – it features a US-style umbrella handle and pedal parking brake, for example. There’s supposedly a way to adjust the suspension, but we couldn’t locate it. The climate controls remained an enigma. And these Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9 models have numerous unique parts compared to other W116s. The battery alone is large enough to jump-start a Lufthansa 747. The engine utilizes a dry-sump lubrication system to fit under the hood – and requires a hefty 12 liters (about 13 quarts) of oil. The EPA fuel economy ratings are 10/14 mpg city/highway. The owner mentioned he gets around 12 mpg (imperial). So, like many Germans, it enjoys a good drink.
One can imagine the Mercedes engineers might have indulged in some breakfast beers when they conceived the 6.9. It’s a somewhat outrageous creation, yet executed in a very measured, sensible German manner. It’s a precursor to the numerous high-performance sedans that would follow, like the W124 500E and the various AMG models. You could achieve 85% of the same 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 that. If there’s one thing the Germans are known for, it’s their sense of humor.
