1978 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9

This example of the mighty 450 SEL 6.9 is one of 7,380 built on a special production line at Sindelfingen between 1975 and 1981. It is a UK specified and supplied example being first registered in November 1978. Being the range topping SEL and costing close to three times as much in 1978 as the equivalent Jaguar XJ, the SEL 6.9 was very well equipped. Air conditioning and four electric windows were standard. This example, however, was specified with the few optional extras that were available. These include the MB-Tex leather upholstery (velour was still a thing in 1978), the heated front seats and the electric tilt and slide sunroof.

This majestic Mercedes was acquired by the current owner in 2019. The car was supplied by London based classic car specialists, Graeme Hunt Limited, with a shade over 100,000 miles on the odometer at that stage. In his ownership he has added around a further 8,500 miles to that total. The owner has had the SEL fastidiously maintained during his ownership and reports having spent “around £15,000 to £20,000” on it during that time. This combines with a reported full service history, stamped MB service book and a lever arch file of invoices back to 1978 to result in an exciting ownership prospect.

The W116 was legendary Mercedes designer Friedrich Geiger's swansong to a career that started in 1933. In the W116, especially in this long wheelbase iteration he produced a design which is subtle and understated and a perfect foil to that muscular 6.9L V8 under the bonnet.

This example is presented in Astral Silver Metallic paintwork (735) which, judging by the smoothness of the application and the sharpness of the panel gaps, may well be its original finish. If so the condition appears excellent and fully belies the car’s age. There is an appropriate shine emitting form all panels and the modest amounts of chrome embellishments look bright and well finished.

The bodywork appears equally well resolved with no notable dents or dings in evidence. Shut lines look “Sindelfingen-appropriate” and our photographic package reveals nothing worrisome. The only slight imperfections noted are some minor bubbling and discolouration to one door bottom and a stone-chipped headlamp lens.

The SEL version of the W116 added four inches to the basic car’s wheelbase and gifted all four of them to the rear passengers. Although that doesn’t sound much it does make an obvious and welcome difference to the rear passenger compartment and is also easily noticeable in the length of the rear doors.

So, starting in the back it is that unusually generous legroom that you possibly first notice. Suitable for the tallest captains of 1978 industry. Our car benefits from the preferable for most, MB-Tex perorated “leather” upholstery in a Blue (702) hue. The full width rear bench features a fold down central armrest and, unusually and notably for the time, rear head restraints. A pair of forward-facing map lights ensure that the report and accounts can be interrogated even in the dead of night.

The front seats are identically trimmed and their condition equally fine. The vertical, perforated box pleats and “eared” headrests proving reassuringly familiar, somehow. A chunky, folding centre armrest provides support for both front occupants. The front seats are electrically heated – another sublime decadence in 1978. The only noted issue here is a missing hinge cover on the driver’s seat.

Carpets are edge-bound and in a complementary blue shade. Their condition, front and back, is very good. The door cards are finished in two slightly differing shades of blue, feature large storage pockets and are bereft of furnishings bar the chromed door handles. The dashboard features a hooded nacelle housing the three VDO white on black gauges. The blue top and bottom dash rolls are dissected by a full-width panel of walnut veneer. This extends down into the centre console where a retro style modern head unit is fitted. Anthony reports that the only non-functioning feature in here is the clock.

The large boot is sensibly sized and trimmed in hardwearing grey carpet. This provides a home for the boot mounted warning triangle, spare wheel (a slow puncture reported), jack and tools.

In many ways this is a car built around an engine. In an age of ever smaller engines with less and less cylinders the 6.9L V8 M-100 unit stands as a proud beacon of 1970’s excess. The big V8 was originally rated at 282bhp and a heady 406 Ib-ft of torque. To put that in perspective, that is a handful more bhp that the Ferrari 275 GTB Monsieur Lelouche tried too kid us he was using in Paris……and a lot more torque.  Power is fed to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic gearbox. This configuration was originally good for 145mph and a 0-60 mph time starting with a seven.

Lifting the big bonnet reveals a nest of pipes and wires from this pre-engine faring time. Fascinating details like huge distributor caps and trumpeted air filter housings are there for all to see. It is very original looking under here and retaining some potential for further cleaning and fettling if that’s your thing. The original data plates are front and (almost) centre. The underside of the car looks straight and well preserved. The matching Pirelli Cinturato 205/70 tyres exhibit plenty of remaining tread from this perspective, also.

There is little to describe from our photographic package here with just the V5 registration document and our car check report with us on file. The V5 classifies the SEL as an Historic Vehicle. As such it is MoT exempt and zero rated for VED in the UK. It is also ULEZ exempt. The car was last MoT’d in 2020 at 102,000 miles.

Courtesy of the vendor, however, we know that a lever arch file of paperwork dating back to 1978 will be provided with the car. The original Mercedes Benz stamped service book is also reportedly on hand.

Whilst the 300 SEL 6.3 may have been the first of the Mercedes world-beating Q-car saloons, the 450 SEL 6.9 is a more rounded offering without doubt. The inclusion of the sophisticated hydropneumatic suspension and long wheelbase configuration added a couple more aces to the pack. The essence of the car remained that behemoth of an engine, however, and all the heady mix of speed and refinement that it was able to deliver.

This is a fine example of what is now a very hard car to find. Although they built a surprising number, the ravages of time have done their thing to reduce the number registered today in the UK to under 30. This is surely one of the best of those given its highly original and beautifully presented condition. With the market for big, and powerful, classic saloons seemingly in rude health this is surely an excellent time to put a 450 SEL 6.9 on your drive.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £30,000 - £35,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.