1979 Mercedes-Benz 400 Series 450 SEL 6.9

Description

A clean 6.9L with just slightly over 86,000 original miles. 1979 was the final year for the USA market, representing one of only 576 imported in 1979.

No rust. All features work well except the AC (which was working recently). Dash is cracked, but can be repaired. Over $14,000 spent during last 24 months on:

-New exhaust, front and rear brakes, transmission seals and servicing, tie rods/ball joints, fuel and air filters, fuel tank cleaning, major tune-up including spark plugs/wires/warm up regulator, new Michelin XWX tires ($400 each) from Coker, exterior painting (all invoices will come with sale)

Mercedes 6.9 History

Many automotive manufacturers had little help from federal regulators when it can to making horsepower in the mid-1970 into the 1980’s. Stemming from the oil embargo of 1973-1974; fuel consumption, lower emission& highway speeds, along with oil conservation efforts were now all mandated. Apparently over in Germany, Mercedes-Benz didn’t get the memo! They set out to produce the world’s fastest, most powerful sedan. Only available in the USA from 1977 through 1979, the M100 6.9L engine option was exceptional! Its 417 cubic inch displacement was powered by Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, forged crankshaft, connecting rods, & pistons; aluminum heads, sodium filled valves, nitrated intake valve stems, chromed exhaust stems, hydraulic lifters, and a 12-quart dry sump engine lubrication system. Even with a low 8.0:1 compression ratio, it still managed to produce 250bhp and a massive 360 ft lbs. of torque! To put this into perspective in 1979, this meant more power than a Ferrari 308 GTS, Porsche 930 Turbo, Corvette L82, or a Pontiac Trans Am SE. Although this bragging right came with a very hefty price tag meaning MSRP’s breeching $50,000 by 1979! This would be equivalent to about $175,000 in today’s dollars. This also meant very low production totals, and an exceptional opportunity to collect a tremendous piece of Mercedes history! Only 1,816 were ever imported and just 576 of those found garages in 1979.

Finished in its original color of Astral Silver (DB735) over Blue interior, this low mileage example has traveled only 86,130 miles from new! Loaded from the factory with M100 6.9L engine, 3-speed automatic transmission, hydro-pneumatic self-leveling suspension, power windows, central door locking system, Becker Mexico AM/FM/cassette radio with power antenna, cruise control, power steering, power 4-wheel disc brakes, front fog lamps with rock guards, automatic climate control, electric sunroof, VDO instrumentation, remote chrome mirrors, passenger vanity mirror, heated rear window, 14” light alloy wheels, and rear first aid kit. The car is an excellent survivor featuring original window glass, all original seat upholstery & floor carpeting, original owner’s manual, and the factory supplied set of 4 emergency rubber buffers should the suspension system fail.