1977 Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9, Power steering, Metal sunroof, Extensive records

1977 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 Description

1977 Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9

Owned by same man for almost 30 years! One of 462 examples imported to North America in 1977 6.9L M100 V-8 engine (250 hp) with “dry sump” lubrication W3B 050 three-speed automatic transmission ZF limited-slip differential Original Graublau Metallic exterior (Gray Blue Metallic) (Code 906) Original Pacific Blue leather over blue interior (Code 202) Power steering, four-wheel power disc brakes Metal sunroof and cruise control Self-leveling hydropneumatic, four-wheel independent suspension 14-inch Mercedes-Benz wheels on Super Star 70 tires Extensive records, with more than $8K in suspension work alone!

MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present this statuesque and rarely seen 1977 450SEL 6.9. This true European classic comes with the owner’s personal gas/oil/mileage logbook, dealer report card, service records, owner’s manuals, maintenance booklet, M-B engine/chassis/units catalog E and even a translated copy of the original German Datacard (build card) from Mercedes-Benz!

This particular Gray Blue Metallic (Code 906) example was built in August, 1977 and delivered by Keo Motor Car Corporation in Nanuet, New York on April 11, 1978 to Worth Enterprises in Verona, New Jersey, where it was driven and serviced. Records that accompany the car indicate that it was maintained through September, 1979 and 26,929 miles.

In December 1986, St. Louis City resident Fred Barrera bought the car with 64,005 miles on it. Barrera created the Aries Company, originally as a mobile disc jockey service in 1974 that grew into a sound and lighting company and ultimately, a full service party rental company.

Under the hood of this Benz 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 also 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.

The paint on this car shows extremely well with only minor imperfections visible upon close inspection but overall, it is in great shape, as are the trim pieces, bumpers, glass and lights. 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, all of the gauges work as designed and there’s even a retro Audiovox car telephone located on the console between the front seats; this car was reportedly one of the first vehicles in St. Louis to have such a device. Car comes equipped with optional metal sunroof and cruise control. For the most part, the Pacific Blue leather seats (Code 202) with blue interior are in great shape. The visible wear on the driver’s front bucket testify to what a great driver’s car this is and how much it has been enjoyed through the years. There is excellent matching carpet throughout the interior. The door panels and dashboard are matched perfectly to the rest of the interior and look fantastic.

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.

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

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

Current mileage on the odometer shows 91,274 miles. It is sold as is and on a clear and clean actual mileage title.

VIN: 116036-12-003246 EIN: 100985-12-003373 Transmission #: 000624

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