The model was effectively indistinguishable from any other 450SEL, except for the 6.9 emblem and the wider wheels and tires, and there are no important interior clues, other than wood trim across the fascia, to set it apart from any other Mercedes Benz sedan of this size. What truly set this platform apart was the 6.9-liter (417-cid) engine that produced 250 horsepower in the age of gas shortages and when performance was considered to be a dirty word.
The 450SEL 6.9 had the internal designation of W116 and was unquestionably the greatest family car of the era and remains a massively competent machine today. By installing a bored-out version of the M100 V-8 engine in the standard 450SEL - itself already crowned Car of the Year and regarded as the pre-eminent luxury saloon of the day - Stuttgart's engineers added supercar crushing performance to the W116s long list of attributes. With self-levelling hydro-pneumatic suspension, dry-sump lubrication and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, the 6.9 was not only fast, but handled and rode superbly – as seen in the heart-racing chase scene involving Robert De Niro in the cult John Frankenheimer movie “Ronin”.
Owned by a Hollywood actor for many years, this particular 6.9 is one of only 462 such vehicles destined for North American export in 1977. This is also the first model year 6.9 to meet all U.S. federal standards. From 1975 through 1981 Mercedes Benz built only 7,380 similar copies. In total, just 1,816 cars were sold into the United States over the seven-year availability period.
This 6.9 is finished in Silver metallic over blue leather and is reported to have been sparingly utilized. Along with the massively-respected 6.9-liter V-8 engine, the car features a three-speed automatic transmission and ZF limited-slip differential specific to this model. Along with four-wheel disc brakes, the 6.9 sedan features air conditioning, radio/cassette, cruise control; power windows, seats, steering and brakes. The Mercedes-Benz came with every conceivable luxury item available at that time, featuring a classy mix of leather and high-quality wood trim.
Mercedes Benz goal of producing the ultimate high speed, luxury touring sedan was accomplished with the introduction of the legendary 6.9. Collectors and enthusiasts alike still fondly refer to the 6.9 as the original "Autobahn burner". This Mercedes Benz 6.9 has been inspected and test driven by the experts in a Mercedes Benz service department that is familiar to the current owner.
This model of car has been well chronicled in many articles and books have been written about this awesome machine; Formula One drivers, business tycoons and Heads of State loved these cars; surely you will too.
The vendor does state that he has misplaced the documentation to the car and that the suspension needs some attention. Nevertheless, these rare cars are increasing rapidly in value and offers all buyers a fine opportunity with such a realistic reserve.