1977 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9

450SEL M100 Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

11603612003123

Gasoline

1977 450 SEL 6.9 Sedan - The "Banker's Hotrod" In its day, the 6.9 was the absolute king of the hill of sedans - both from a performance and technological standpoint. It married the classic W116 body and chassis with a bored-out version of the 600 limousine's 6.3 litre engine to produce the monstrous 6.9, which in cubic inch terms is 417ci (resulting in 250 hp and 350 lb/ft of torque for the US model). It was capable of 0-60 in just a hair over 7 seconds, quarter-mile in the mid-15s, and it topped out at about 140mph. All the while the passsengers enjoy a quiet and comfortable experience engulfed in German leather and wood, climate control, and riding on a silk-smooth yet taut hydro-pneumatic suspension. Only 1816 of these special cars were sold as US-models, and they retailed for over $40,000 in 1979 dollars! For your consideration: VIN 11603612003123 I recently brought this lovely 6.9 from Northern California where I obtained it directly from the original owner, a doctor whose wife at the time bought it new for him as a gift. After 33 years, he sold it only due to a medical condition which prevented him from continuing to drive it. He loved the car, and took excellent care of it - and he appreciated the rarity and significance of the M100 motor, and the regular maintenance it deserves. Needless to say, this car has never seen the salty roads of the snow belt, and has no signs of any rust - often the bain of a Classic Mercedes' existence. The photos of the jack points and the door bottoms speak volumes to those of you who have seen cars represented as "rust free" only to find an oxidized mess when you dig a little. The car is finished in attaractive and sought-after Anthracite Grey and has Black leather interior - most 6.9s you find tend to be dated-looking blue on blue. The exterior finish is in decent condition, having suffered a little sun baking in its day. As you can see in the pictures it looks fine from a few feet, but there are some paint flaws up close. The leather upholdtery is in excellent condition, showing a little patina but no rips, tears, or split seams. In addition, the feintuft velour carpeting is exquisite, having been covered for the entire life of the car. I only just removed the original deep pile carpet mats. The dash has a couple of cracks in it, and while I prefer to leave it off (it's minor enough not to bother me), the car will convey with a brand new, molded dash cover should the new owner elect to install it. The original burl wood is in very nice condition. The automatic climate control system functions properly, and the air conditioning blows nice and cold. The servo was recently replaced, and works as it should. All of the power options work properly - including the power windows, vacuum-actuated door locks, power sunroof, power antenna (the dash adjustment still works properly), and cruise control. The original radio was replaced with an in-dash SONY CD player that works just fine. In addition, the ignition system was overhauled in the not too distant past. The tires are ultra-rare and no longer available H-rated Firestone tires in the correct 215/70R-14 size. Additionally, the often troublesome hydraulic suspension was reconditioned recently and functions beautifully. It's kinda cool to drive over speed humps and railroad tracks! The exhaust system is in very good condition, and the brakes are firm and effective - they feel like a Mercedes should! The car comes with its original owner's manual, warranty booklet, assorted manuals, tool kit, jack, and even the RARE rubber suspension blocks which are impossible to find these days in ANY condition (last I heard, people pay upwards of $800/each for them!). The spare tire is in good condition and holds air. The trunk is clean and free of stains. All of the chrome and brightwork trim pieces are present and in very nice condition with no pitting. The glass is all original and in very good condition, with the break-in label still present on the left rear door window. On the road, the car runs and drives like a super-sedan should. The power is seamless and the transmission shifts smoothly. The cooling system was overhauled by the previous owner with new hoses and a reconditioning of the radiator. This is a car that just wants to be out on the open road - cruising all day long! That, or if you ever saw the movie Ronin, you've seen some other pretty good uses for a Mercedes 6.9 - especially the chase scene with the guy standing out the 6.9's sunroof with a rocket-launcher on his shoulder while chasing the bad guys in their little Citroen... But I digress.. The car shows just 85,276 ORIGINAL miles (as verified by the previous owner), and the overall condition of the car, the interior, and the motor support that. It also has a new Virginia safety inspection (expires in July, 2011) - and if you know our inspection program, you know that speaks well for the car! In all, this is a classy, classic super-sedan that needs and wants to be driven. It is an excellent driver, and while not a show car, is very presentable as it is. If not for another classic Mercedes in need of restoration, I would not consider selling this beauty. My loss, your gain. For more information on the 6.9, be sure to check-out www.m-100.cc. This vehicle is sold as-is, where-is, with no warranties or guarantees expressed, implied or otherwise intended. I will be happy to assist in locating a shipper, but all vehicle transportation costs will be the responsibility of the purchaser. FYI, Nearest DAS depot is Manassas, VA - about 10 miles from my home. Payment terms: A non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required within 24 hours of the close of the auction. The deposit may be made by PayPal or by bank wire transfer. The balance is due within seven days of the close of the auction or upon pick-up of the car, whichever is earlier. I will not accept the balance by PayPal. I will only accept wire transfer, cashier's check, money order or cash. IMPORTANT: Once you have won the auction you may not change your mind for any reason. If you would like to see the car (which I welcome) or have it inspected, this must all be done BEFORE the end of the auction. I reserve the right to end the auction early and cancel bids from bidders with significant negative feedback. If you have zero feedback, you must contact me by email confirming your intentions as well as providing your location.