1971 Mercedes-Benz 600

The Mercedes-Benz 600 was built for the most important, affluent, and accomplished individuals, including those who ruled the world. Between 1963 and 1981, Mercedes-Benz built 2,677 examples of the (W100) 600 including 428 Long Wheelbase (LWB) Pullman limousines, 59 Landaulet's, and 2,190 of the short-wheelbase (SWB). The LWB versions were often chauffeur-driven while the shorter versions were designed as owner-driven cars. The 600 succeeded the Type 300d 'Adenauer' as the company's top-of-the-line model, competing with the best on the market, including models from Rolls-Royce, Imperial, and Bentley.

The Mercedes-Benz 600 was first put on display in September of 1963 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. In just about every department, it represented the start-of-the-art automotive engineering, equipped with an overhead-camshaft, fuel-injected, 6.3-liter V8 engine - Mercedes' first - air suspension with variable ride control, four-speed automatic transmission, all-round disc brakes, power-assisted steering, central locking, and separate air conditioning systems for front and rear compartments. Its multi-way adjustable seating was powered by a sophisticated system of hydraulics that also operated the windows and assisted in opening and closing the doors and boot lid.

The SWB Saloon, resting on a 3,200mm wheelbase platform, had seating for up to six passengers while the LWB Pullman limousine, with a length that exceeded 20-feet, could accommodate up to eight individuals. Despite its size and weight, the 600 was capable of reaching 60 mph in ten seconds with top speeds that exceeded 125 mph.
Among the list of celebrity-owners include Elvis Presley, John Lennon, George Harrison, Jack Nicholson, Coco Chanel, Hugh Hefner, Ronnie Wood, Aristotle Onassis and Rowan Atkinson. Dictators who owned the 600 include Nicolae Ceauşescu, Marshal Tito, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Enver Hoxha, Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021