Vehicle Description
1979 Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9 Flagship Mercedes Sedan for 1979 One
of 576 examples imported to North America in 1979 6.9L M100 V-8
engine (250 hp) with "dry sump" lubrication W3B 050 three-speed
automatic transmission ZF limited-slip differential Original brown
exterior Original tan leather seats with tan interior Among the
first cars to feature anti-lock brakes Power steering, four-wheel
power disc brakes with ABS Metal sunroof, �Hella driving lights
Self-leveling hydropneumatic, four-wheel independent suspension
14-inch Mercedes-Benz wheels on Michelin tires Becker AM/FM stereo
with cassette MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present this
powerful and almost overlooked 1979 450SEL 6.9. The 6.9 was the
first Mercedes-Benz to be fitted with the "hydropneumatic"
self-leveling system. The 6.9 also has the distinction of being
among the first vehicles ever produced with optional electronically
controlled�anti-lock brakes (ABS), first introduced by
Mercedes-Benz and�Bosch�in 1978. This 6.9 was one of 576 cars
imported to the U.S. for 1979. Under the hood of this Benz and
behind the Hella driving lights 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 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. Car also has four-wheel disc brakes�and
four-wheel independent suspension standard and it has Bosch fog
lights. The brown paint on this car shows well with only minor
blemishes visible upon close inspection but overall, it is in good
shape, as are the trim pieces, bumpers, glass and lights. The car
has stock Mercedes-Benz wheels within 205/70R14 tires. 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, the tan leather seats with tan interior are in great shape.
It features a Becker AM/FM stereo with cassette deck. The door
panels and dashboard, which shows some blemishes, are matched
perfectly to the�rest of the interior, look fantastic and car comes
with optional metal sunroof. All of the gauges work as designed.
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. Examples of this
car's competition in 1977 included the Aston Martin Lagonda, the
BMW 3.0 Si and the Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas. This example of a
Mercedes 6.9 will delight even the most discerning collector or
enthusiast...GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!!! Current mileage on the odometer
shows 63,123 miles. The car is being sold as is, where is, on a
clean and clear mileage exempt title. VIN: 116036-12-006913
