Muscle Car From Stuttgart

The 1978 Mercedes 450SEL 6.9L was among the fastest and most expensive sedans produced at the time, and are still regarded as one of the finest cars that they have ever produced. The 6.9L liter engine was one the largest displacement engines Mercedes ever produced, and the performance of the 450SEL 6.9L is impressive even by today’s standards.

This Cars Past

This is an original and correct 1978 U.S. (California) model 6.9L. With only 1,816 produced for the U.S., this is a rare and special car. Purchased new by Mr. Ernest Cadelago of Los Angeles, and subsequently by Mr. R. Bruce Steinheimer also of Los Angeles. Mr. Steinheimer owned the car for 16 years, only averaging 1,600 miles per year. During his tenure as owner, he had the car expertly repainted in the original anthracite grey. The car has also been completely maintained, and still has the correct Campagnolo wheels and Michelin XWX tires. The car is complete with all documents, tools and factory equipment.

History of the Model

The 450SEL 6.9L was first shown to the motoring press at the Geneva Auto Show in 1974, and produced between 1975 and 1981 in extremely limited numbers. It was billed as the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz car line, and the successor to Mercedes-Benz's original high-performance sedan, the 300SEL 6.3. The 6.9 also has the distinction of being among the first vehicles ever produced with optional electronically controlled anti-lock brakes, first introduced by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch in 1978. The engine was a cast iron V8 with single overhead camshafts operating sodium-filled valves against hardened valve seats on each aluminum alloy cylinder head. Each hand-built unit was bench-tested for 265 minutes, 40 of which were under full load. 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. The North American version, introduced in 1977, was rated with 250 horsepower and 360 LB FT. 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 twelve quarts of oil between the storage tank and the engine, as opposed to the usual four or five quarts found in V8s with a standard oil pan and oil pump.

Service History

This car was repainted in its original colors in 1996, and the interior has had slight restorations and preservation efforts performed. All parts of the car are period correct and those requiring attention have been restored or refinished.

Market Trend

With very limited supply, the 6.9 have held its value extremely well and they have continued to increase steadily.

Summary

The 450SEL 6.9 is regarded as one of the most important Mercedes Benzes produced and arguably the first “Super Sedan” to be built by any manufacturer. The combination of luxury appointments and incredible performance ensure the 6.9’s place in history.