For Sale at Auction: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL in Scottsdale, Arizona

According to Car and Driver magazine in July 1977, the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 was the fastest European sedan. This particular expample is previously collector owned. With a curb weight of almost 4,400 pounds, it still went 0-60 in 7.1 seconds. Of the 7,380 units built, 1,816 were officially sold in the United States, making this car one of 1,816 cars sold in the U.S. When the car was introduced into the North American market for the 1977 model year, the price was well past $40,000 and was $52,995 by the end of production. The 6.9 was rather austere compared to the opulence in competitors like the Rolls-Royce or Cadillac. The most expensive Cadillacs, the midsized Seville and full-sized Cadillac Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five limousine each listed for about $16,000. The 6.9 listed for around $40,000, when the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow sold for $43,200. The 6.9's variable height suspension was illegal in the United States at the time, so North American specification cars deleted the knob that allowed the driver to raise the car. The North American version was rated with 36 fewer horsepower and 45 fewer ft/lbs of torque (250 and 360, respectively), due to differing emission standards. It also came equipped with "park bench" impact absorbing bumpers, although the variant used on the 6.9 differed from that on the rest of the W116 lineup; the North American-spec 6.9's bumpers had smooth black rubber covering their outward-facing sections, while the other North American-spec W116 models had exposed chrome with small black rubber bumperettes. North American models were fitted with four fixed round exposed lamps. Buyers outside North America could also opt for headlight wipers and washers and/or headlights with a special vacuum-operated linkage whose aim could be adjusted at the dash depending on vehicle load. This car is powered by a 6.9-liter V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission and shows 114,908 actual miles on the odometer. (the title reads mileage exempt). It is finished in black over a brown interior.