It’s been 50 years since the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 first graced the autobahn - and it still carries itself like it owns the fast lane.
When it launched in 1975 as the top-tier model of the 116 S-Class series, the 6.9 was a revelation: a blend of muscle, luxury and sheer road presence that made it a favourite among discerning drivers and even Formula One champs.
Back then, calling it “the best car in the world” went beyond marketing. The sentiment was rightfully echoed by the press, who marvelled at its performance and refinement. Clocking 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h, this executive saloon could shame many sports cars of its era.
Power, polish and pedigree
Under the bonnet sits the M100 E 69 V8, derived from the grand 600 (W100) limousine but bored out to a thundering 6.8L. That gave the 450 SEL 6.9 a hearty 210kW and 550Nm of torque - more than enough to justify its beefed-up 215/70 VR 14 tyres and oversized dual exhausts.
It wasn’t all brute force, though. The car introduced a hydropneumatic suspension with self-levelling, giving it a smooth ride while maintaining perfect stance under load.
Inside, it was luxury incarnate for 1975: air-con, cruise control, central locking, electric windows, velour upholstery and inertia-reel belts all came standard. Rear passengers even benefited from an extra 100mm of legroom thanks to the exclusive long-wheelbase body.
Still a catch... If you can find one
Only 7380 examples were built between 1975 and 1980, and good ones are hot property. “The 450 SEL 6.9 is the top-of-the-line version of the S-Class of that time… performance and luxury are a fascinating combination,” says Patrik Gottwick of Mercedes-Benz Heritage. “As always, the rule is: the better car is almost always the better buy.”
Classic Data pegged the average price of a Grade 1 car at just over €50,000 in 2015 (around NZ$95,500). Today? That figure’s pushing past €90,000 (NZ$170,000).
Mercedes-Benz Classic keeps a robust inventory of genuine parts for the 6.9, from A/C switches to steering box assemblies, helping owners preserve authenticity with factory-backed confidence.
Half a century on, the 450 SEL 6.9 still sets the bar for what a luxury performance saloon can be: bold, elegant and unapologetically overengineered. Indeed, it has earned its title as one of the best classic cars of its time.
