1979 Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9 Description

1979 Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9

Flagship Mercedes Sedan for 1979 One of 576 examples imported to North America in 1979 6.9L M100 V-8 engine (250 hp) with “dry sump” lubrication W3B 050 three-speed automatic transmission ZF limited-slip differential Original brown exterior Original tan leather seats with tan interior Among the first cars to feature anti-lock brakes Power steering, four-wheel power disc brakes with ABS Metal sunroof, Hella driving lights Self-leveling hydropneumatic, four-wheel independent suspension 14-inch Mercedes-Benz wheels on Michelin tires Becker AM/FM stereo with cassette

MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present this powerful and almost overlooked 1979 450SEL 6.9. The 6.9 was the first Mercedes-Benz to be fitted with the “hydropneumatic” self-leveling system. The 6.9 also has the distinction of being among the first vehicles ever produced with optional electronically controlled anti-lock brakes (ABS), first introduced by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch in 1978. This 6.9 was one of 576 cars imported to the U.S. for 1979.

Under the hood of this Benz and behind the Hella driving lights lies a 6.9L V-8 engine, rated at 250 horsepower and 360 lbs-ft of torque. The engine was a cast iron V-8 with single overhead camshafts operating sodium-filled valves against hardened valve seats on each aluminum alloy cylinder head. Bosch K-Jetronic electromechanical fuel injection was standard at a time when fuel-injected cars were uncommon. As in all Mercedes-Benz automobile engines, the crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons were forged instead of cast. In the interest of both engine longevity as well as creating some extra space under the hood, a “dry sump” engine lubrication system was used. The system circulated 12 quarts of oil between the storage tank and the engine, as opposed to the usual four or five quarts found in V-8s with a standard oil pan and oil pump.

As a result, the engine itself had no dipstick for checking the oil level. Instead, the dipstick was attached to the inside of the tank’s filler cap (accessible from the engine bay) and the oil level was checked with the engine running and at operating temperature. This system also had the benefit of extending the oil change interval to 12,500 miles. This, along with hydraulic valve lifters, which required no adjusting, and special cylinder head gaskets which eliminated the need for periodic re-torquing of the head bolts, made the 6.9 nearly maintenance-free for its first 50,000 miles. The 6.9 required little basic service other than coolant, minor tune-ups, oil changes and replacement of the air, fuel, oil and power steering filters.

This car features a model W3B 050 three-speed automatic transmission unique to the 6.9 and a standard ZF limited-slip differential both for enhanced roadholding performance on dry pavement and enhanced traction in inclement weather. Car also has four-wheel disc brakes and four-wheel independent suspension standard and it has Bosch fog lights.

The brown paint on this car shows well with only minor blemishes visible upon close inspection but overall, it is in good shape, as are the trim pieces, bumpers, glass and lights. The car has stock Mercedes-Benz wheels within 205/70R14 tires. The doors close with bank vault-like solidity and the car looks as imposing in someone else’s rearview mirror as it did when it was new.

Inside, the tan leather seats with tan interior are in great shape. It features a Becker AM/FM stereo with cassette deck. The door panels and dashboard, which shows some blemishes, are matched perfectly to the rest of the interior, look fantastic and car comes with optional metal sunroof. All of the gauges work as designed.

The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 is the high-performance, top-of-the-line version of the W116 model S-Class luxury sedan. Generally referred to in the company’s literature as the “6.9,” to separate it from the regular 450SEL, it featured the largest engine of any non-American production car post-WWII.

Examples of this car’s competition in 1977 included the Aston Martin Lagonda, the BMW 3.0 Si and the Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas.

This example of a Mercedes 6.9 will delight even the most discerning collector or enthusiast…GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!!!

Current mileage on the odometer shows 63,123 miles. The car is being sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear mileage exempt title.

VIN: 116036-12-006913