1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet

Mercedes-Benz built a total of 2,677 examples of the 'W100' series 600 between 1963 and 1981. Most examples were built on the short-wheelbase platform, accounting for 2,189 cars, followed by the Pullman limousine with 429, with the remaining 59 being Pullman Landaulets. Of the 59 Pullman Landaulets, 33 examples were built with four doors. Each of these had various seating layouts, body designs, interior configurations, and options/amenities, including telephones, televisions, and radios. Some examples received a hydraulically operated glass partition with an intercom system, or a a pair of forward facing fold away jump seats.

The final delivery inspections of this particular 600 Pullman Landaulet were performed on September 29, 1966. According to the original 'Kraftfahrzeugbrief,' this Pullman Landaulet was originally owned by Daimler-Benz A.G. and left the factory wearing formal 040 Black over a Cognac leather interior and a black landaulet roof. It had the partitioning glass divider option with an intercom system, seating for seven, with a fixed position middle row facing the rear of the vehicle, Becker Grand Prix radio with remote controls for the rear passengers, and front flag holders for both the front left and right fenders.

Mercedes-Benz used this 600 for internal use, and it also loaned it, most notably to several European governments, including both Germany and Austria, to transport guests of the state during their official visits. In April 1967, it was used when the Vice President of the United States, Hubert Humphrey, visited Germany to stress the importance of The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Later that month, German Chancellor Kurt Georg Kiesinger used the car during a reelection tour. The Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi used it during a visit to Germany in May 1967. Next, it was used by the President of the Ivory Coast, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, and His Serene Highness, The Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein Hans-Adam II, in July. The last official use by the German government that year was during a visit by the King Olav V of Norway.

In 1968, this Mercedes-Benz was used to transport the Secretary General of NATO, Manlio Brosio, and later, it was used by the President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko's week-long tour of Germany in March 1969.

In early May 1969, it was used by the Austrian government. President Franz Jonas hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. It was then sent back to Germany, where it was used during the arrival of the Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin in Bonn in October 1969.

The car's next use was in Munich during a visit by Baudouin, King of the Belgians, in September 1971. Jullian, Queen of the Netherlands, and her husband, Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld, were the next guests of honor to be transported in the car in October 1971. It then went to Luxembourg in May 1972 for use by French President Georges Pompidou. The last official use of this car was later in May during a visit by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, during the first edition of the Fédération Équestre Internationale Driving World Championship in Münster, Germany.

On April 29, 1974, the car was sold to Berthold Rückwarth of Germany and remained in his care until his passing. His family sold the car in November 2015 to the current owner.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023