Mercedes Benz 600 SWB - Pampered Originality & Patina - Long Term Ownership

1971 MERCEDES BENZ 600 SWB: --DB 906 Grey-Blue Metallic, Blue Leather Interior, Blue Carpeting, 6.3 liter V8, 4-Speed Automatic, Matching numbers, Long term ownership. The Mercedes-Benz 600 needs little introduction as the choice of motor car for countless celebrities, dignitaries, dictators and musicians. The 600 is quite simply; high-end motoring personified. Produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1963 to 1981, the short-wheel-base (SWB) models were designed to be owner-driven, whereas the formal long-wheel-base (LWB) Pullman models were often built with division glass and... driven by chauffeur. Mercedes introduced the 600 as follows: "The new car takes up the pre-war tradition of the company which was to have at least one model which would be included whenever ultra-prestige cars were considered." The 600 marked the last super-luxury model the brand produced in an unbroken line with the end of production for the model in 1981. The company would return to this concept 20 years later with the Maybach 57/62, however these cars ultimately failed to captivate to the mythical status of the 600. The cast of characters that would own one or more 600’s is legendary – from George Harrison, Coco Chanel, Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor to an ensemble of Political leaders such as Chairman Mao (reportedly owning 25 examples) The Pope, Kim Jong-un, Fidel Castro and Leonid Brezhnev. In short, it was quite a cast of characters indeed. In 1965 Road and Track tested the 600 and stated: “On the highway, the 600 will undoubtedly cruise with any traffic likely to be encountered in this or any other country. And it will do this cruising in complete comfort and relative silence and the occupants will have a far greater than average feeling of security, much of this feeling of confidence in the car comes from the suspension, as you can cruise at high speed over typically undulating highway surfaces and not experience the slightest uneasiness”. This example represents a long and pampered existence and presents with wonderful originality throughout and exhibits all the character of the mid-sequence build quality and options. Becker Grand Prix Radio and passenger seat mounted Cassette, Sunroof, console mounted refrigerator and factory passenger foot pillions, to name a few. In its most recent ownership of the past 12 years, this 600 SWB had been owned by a well-known Georgia collector where it has been well-cared for, serviced regularly and used for special occasions. All Air-Assisted and hydraulic systems operate as designed and are evidence of regular specialized maintenance. Driving impressions evoke the 600 legend and this example is compliant and powerful in daily driving situations, as well as open road touring. Presented in its original livery of grey-blue metallic over rich blue leather and carpeting, with French Walnut woodwork throughout, this 600 is a tasteful addition to any collection.