Classic: the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9
Posted on 16-04-2016 to 18:00 by larssb – 49 Comments”
The biggest and baddest Benz, which was the best car in the world. Point. And it takes a few decades for the monumental 450 SEL 6.9 its shine loses. If ever.
When he came out and had the big oil crisis the west already quite in his grip. The plans for this absolute top model were already forged, but in the middle of a fuel crisis may not be the most suitable time for a 6.9 litre V8 to introduce. On the other hand, the world was very poor without the best car and so was in 1975, this absolute top model is revealed. And except all expectations exceeded he also his predecessor, the 300 SEL 6.3 and its competitors. Actually faded, everything rolling terminus in its vicinity. The opposite Maxima and Willem effect.
This W116 with a 14 cm longer wheelbase was in fact a 5.3-meter-long lead by technology, regardless of what a competitor was already claimed. That began with the handcrafted M100 V8 in the cabin. This block was just like that of its predecessor derived from the achtcilinder from the 600, with aluminum cylinder heads, Bosch K-jetronic fuel injection system, yet absolutely no common in that time. To make it more compact and fit got this powerhouse also dry-sump lubrication, in the meantime, the content increased to nearly 6.9 litres. So macht man das, and once tested and assembled there were through the automatic driebak about 285 HP generated to be to any other topsedan conceited to kakken. In all areas.
To begin at the traffic light. In a time of 7.4 seconds, tapped the uber-Benz to 100 km/h, on the road to an official top speed of 225 km/h. But faster could also, if desired, as remarked, one does not. Faster you could not from the feet, with four doors and a trunk. Cheap. You bought two 280 SE’s for. Or a Maserati Kyalami. That you could still have a lot to keep track of also, by its sophisticated, independent suspension and standard air-over-hydraulic suspension system had the 6.9 and an above-average good road holding for such a beautifully carved fortress. That was also a merit, the violent looked anything but loud, and ran not to purchase with its superiority. Slightly wider rims and the indicator 6.9 on the right of the rear door were the only indications that the creation is now truly complete.
Still more complete was his equipment, but at a price. The usual luxury in this class was mostly standard on board, but could still be expanded, for example with heated and electrically adjustable rear seats. When al. And recently called our own William still with the optional car phone from this Luxus-Liner. That cost had the dear sum of DM 18.000,-. Verdammt expensive Schnickschnack. But money played in these circles no role. Comfort the more. So had this Benz climate control, the dashboard is finished with walnut wood and there were reading lamps in the rear. But there were no alloy wheels, leather trim, or from the inside adjustable mirrors free of charge included. The germans and the standard packed, it was, and never will.
Also not standard, but unique was the optional ABS. The 6.9 was the first to be equipped with this revolutionary invention. Less unique, but still standard, it was referred to hydro-pneumatic suspension system. In essence, the same as Citroën used, with liquid and veerbollen, and with the same features as automatic level control and adjustable ride height. Typical German was once again the fact that a failing suspension system is not immediately a stranded car meant, such as when Citroën was the case. Mercedes-Benz provided their flagship model, also of rubber nooddempers, so there is always a garage could be reached. Because what a blamage would that be: a lame 450 SEL 6.9 on the hard shoulder with warning triangle behind it. Mein Gott….
That was also pretty much the only celebrity that no one had. For understandable reasons. The rest of the well-known and less well-known global happy few, there was wild. Of course, you could also have a Rolls to buy, but that was nowhere better. Except in flirt and capital skimming. The 6.9 was simply the best car that was for sale and that was until 1981, so about 7300 times as proven by the buyers who already knew what a true enthusiast and have recently rightly noted: more Mercedes will not.
Gallery: 450 SEL
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