1979 Mercedes-Benz 400-Series

Hand built 6.9 liter dry sump V8

Automatic

116036-12-006675

Clear

Gasoline

This was Mercedes Benz' "Bankers Hot Rod" of the late 1970s. Only 7,380 were built, and only 1,816 officially sold in the USA. It was the world's fastest luxury sedan, driven to 147 mph by Automobil Revue as reported in their July 1976 edition. Car and Driver magazine called it "The Greatest Mercedes Ever." It cost as much as a house - adjusted for inflation, today its sticker would be around $160,000. This was truly the pinnacle of 1979's German engineering. Two years ago the car was a solid 'condition 3.' Then it was clipped by a falling tree branch. It has a fist-sized dent on the right front fender, a tiny dent and paint scratches on the roof, and a small dent (caused by the jack) on the driver's door. Other than a cracked dash pad, the interior is original and in very good condition. Included is the factory original price sticker ($51,694), original owner's manual and maintenance booklet, even the original first aid kit. The paint is original, as is the glass, in fact, other than 'wear items' it is all original. This car could be the basis for a near-original restoration. First sold in Florida, it acquired its second owner in 1989 at 45,420 miles and moved to Oregon. It acquired its third owner in 1996 at 138,440 miles and remained in the salt-free Pacific northwest. In the last 2,000 miles it has had new brake pads, calipers and rotors all around, new spark plugs, OEM ignition wires, cap and rotor, new fuel hoses beneath the gas tank, new steering rods, drag link and alignment, new rear glass sealing rubber, and a 12 quart oil change and filter. The windshield sealing rubber was replaced a few years ago. The power windows and door locks, exterior lights, turn signals and windshield wipers work normally, the suspension inflates and does not leak, it starts and runs fine, and I would have no hesitation in driving it cross country. It does need some TLC. The A/C, heater and rear window defroster are not working. The door sealing rubbers are original and cracked. It could use minor bodywork and a repaint. The shift selector lever needs adjustment to allow the 'park' position to fully engage. The current Haggerty valuation for a condition 4 daily driver is $13,000. See Wikipedia 'Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9' for detailed description.