"When ambitious industrialist and entrepreneur George Mortimer Pullman patented the ‘Pioneer’ sleeping car in 1868, he wanted to revolutionise – first and foremost – rail travel. From that time on, the Pullman Palace Car Company transferred the concept of spaciousness and luxury to the automotive industry, which they also supplied with vehicle bodies.
Introduced in 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 600, internally designated the W100, had few peers apart from the new Rolls-Royce Phantom V. It featured a new 6,332cc, overhead-cam V8, a dry-sump design with Bosch mechanical fuel injection that developed 245hp, as well as air suspension for a wonderful ‘boulevard ride’ and a high-pressure hydraulic system that provided every power assist imaginable. There was a limited slip differential, servo steering and hydraulic disc brakes with vacuum servo assist at both ends. Other amenities included hydraulically operated windows, sunroof, glass partition, boot lit, horizontal/vertical movement and backrest angles of seats as well as fully automatic controlled air conditioning. There were two wheelbases, 126 and 153. The shorter wheelbase versions were both saloons, a division was optional. Long wheelbase cars were called ‘Pullman’ and included a four-door division limousine, a six-door version with additional jump seats and a Landaulette. A mere 487 Pullmans were manufactured through to 1981, although only a few were built, all to individual special order, from 1972. Many were delivered new to various rulers and heads of state worldwide and some of them remain, well-maintained and still highly impressive, in government fleets to this day, even ‘The King’, Elvis Presley, had a Pullman.
Finished in Raven Black with light tan interior, this Mercedes-Benz is in superb condition. Built as a four-door Pullman limousine with division, this is only one of 304 cars built in this configuration. Benefitting from conference seating configuration which is possibly one of the rarest options available. The twin facing rear seats are divided by a neatly housed cocktail requisites. A powered partition allows for additional privacy from the chauffeur. This magnificent car has benefitted from significant investment in recent times including a full repaint, the woodwork (of which there is lots) removed, stripped and refurbished. The chromework has also been removed and re-chromed, however perhaps the most time, attention and expense went into the interior trim which has been completely re-trimmed in the correct OEM style. This example of one of the most imposing of all post-war cars; smooth, quiet, and ridiculously comfortable, it is a magnificent machine in every way."