1971 Mercedes-Benz 600 LWB Landaulet

The Mercedes-Benz 600, nicknamed, 'Der Grosse Mercedes' (The Big Mercedes) was the company's flagship vehicle and was available in a number of standard forms with each of these customizable. The 6.3-liter fuel-injected V8 engine produced 250 horsepower and all four wheels featured disc brakes arranged on a dual-circuit system. They had air suspension adjusted from under the dash and many other standard items including door central locking, multi-zone electronic heating and air conditioning, and a hydraulic system replacing many electrical components. The hydraulic system assists in most aspects of adjustment during vehicle operation including opening and closing of all windows, all movements of the front and rear seats, and if optioned, the partition divider, and landaulet top. Hydraulically assistance was even applied to the fuel filler door, trunk, and (on early versions) the doors.

Mercedes-Benz built 2,677 examples of the 'W100' Series 600s between 1963 and 1981. 2,189 examples wore sedan coachwork, 429 were Pullman limousines, and 59 were Pullman landaulets. Of these 59 Pullman landaulets, Mercedes produced 32 four-door and only 26 six-door variants. The 'Short Top' landaulet was optioned on just 16 of these 26 six-door landaulets.

This Mercedes-Benz 600 was ordered in early 1971 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more specifically, the Presidential palace in the DRC's capital city of Kinshasa. It was specified with Behr Air conditioning, tropical battery, forward-facing fold-down chairs, partitioning glass divider option with intercom system, a Becker Grand Prix TR radio, heat-insulating glass, and a fire extinguisher, all finished in 'DB 040' Black. Additional features included a microphone intercom in front trays, radio remote control system in rear, Grundig 'AC220' tape recorder with microphone and connection to Becker radio, two separate loudspeaker systems with 14 total speakers, extra safety belts, rear armrest with cosmetic case and Braun 'Sixtant' electric razor, 'SEL FuG 9' public services radio, a 'Moba 8050' antenna, a Sony '9-90 UM' television and front flag holders, left and right.

This Mercedes-Benz was used by President Mobutu for social events and parades before it was retired from presidential duties around the mid-190s. Its history from that point forward is unclear but it is believed that it resided in Zaire for some time. The current caretaker acquired it in 2015 in an unrestored state. At the time, it was a solid, accident-free, unmodified, matching numbers car.

The car was sent to Kienle Automobiltechnik in 2016 for a total ground-up restoration. The unibody shell was taken down to bare metal and all panels and parts were prepared for its new coat of Black paint. Hundreds of exterior trim pieces were stripped of their plating, straightened, metal finished and re-plated. The 6.3-liter 250 hp 'M00' V8 engine was mechanically brought back to life, the four-speed automatic transmission was fully rebuilt, and the under-dash adjustable air suspension system was restored. All of the mechanical components was cleaned, polished, plated, rebuilt, and inspected. The interior was completely retrimmed with new MB Cognac leather and perfect walnut wood trim.

The restoration took four years to complete.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2022