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1972 Mercedes-Benz 600

The Mercedes-Benz 600 was in production from 1963 to 1981 in both short (126 inch) and long (153.5 inch) wheelbase models. The 600 Grosser Mercedes ('Grand Mercedes') succeeded the Type 300d 'Adenauer' as the top-of-the-line model and during its production lifespan, a total of 2,677 examples were built including 2,190 saloons, 304 Pullmans, 124 6-door Pullmans and 59 Landaulets. Pullmans were offered as four- or six-door limousines with options ranging from bullet-resistant glass to an electric razor built into the armrest.

The Model 600 is the only Mercedes-Benz that was developed and built without any regard to cost. It was the epitome of luxury and exclusivity and offered unmatched comfort and impeccable safety. They had an internally created air suspension layout and many of the amenities were hydraulically driven. Power was from a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) 6.3-liter M100 V8 fitted with Bosch mechanical fuel injection and offering 300 horsepower. The usable output was 250 horsepower, as 50 horsepower was used to power the hydraulic convenience system. The engine was a race-developed unit with dry-sump engine lubrication. The four-speed automatic transmission had a 3.2307 final drive ratio. The front air suspension had double wishbones, rubber springs, and stabilizing bars. In the back was a self-leveling air suspension with a low-pivot swing axle, radius arms, stabilizing bar, and rubber springs. Steering was by a power-assisted recirculating ball setup. Disc brakes provided the stopping power.

During 1972, Mercedes-Benz built 210 examples of the 600.

The short wheelbase platform carried four-door saloon coachwork and could be optioned with a power divider window between the front and rear bench seat. The long-wheelbase platform was built as a four-door 'Pullman' limousine which added two additional rear-facing seats. The LWB (long wheelbase) six-door limousine had two forward-facing jump seats at the middle two doors plus a rear bench seat. Some of the limousines were built as landaulets (a total of 59 examples including 26 6-door landaulets - of the 26, 9 had the long Presidential-type roof), which had a convertible top over the rear passenger compartment. These convertible roofs were built in both long and short roof configurations. The short roof version opened only above the last, third row of seats and was the more common configuration. In 1967, Mercedes built one SWB four-door landaulet for former racing driver Philipp Constantin von Berckheim.

Two examples were built as coupes, with one given to Mercedes chief designer Rudolf Uhlenhaut at his retirement, and the other went to Fritz Nallinger, head of the Mercedes research and development center in the 1950s and 1960s. Both of these cars rested on a shorter wheelbase (8.6 inches shorter than the SWB saloon).

by Dan Vaughan

Limosine

When introduced in 1963, the 600 restored a custom of offering opulent luxury and ultimate cachet of the Mercedes-Benz marque last seen with the Grosser 770 of the 1930s. Having no immediate predecessor, nearly all components were designed just for the 600 with cost being no object. The 600s feature a unique adjustable and dynamic load-leveling air suspension along with an intricate hydraulic system that powers everything from seat movement down to the fuel filler door. It was the first Mercedes-Benz to have a V-8 production engine, the M100. This 6.3-liter fuel-injected engine makes 300 horsepower providing this 5,400 pound car robust performance. Arguably the world's most luxurious car in its time, it was the preferred choice of royalty and governments around the world.

This particular car is presented in its rare - reportedly, only one was made - original color combination of moss green exterior, and red leather interior, earning the nickname at Mercedes-Benz of Die Weihnachts-Automobil, or 'The Christmas Car.' Though original provenance is uncertain, with this unique color combination and short wheelbase, it was unlikely to have seen government service. This car features low original mileage of fewer than 29,000 and was one of the last 600s imported into the USA. Past owners included a Florida industrialist and international businessman, and a California Mercedes collector prior to entering its current owner's care. After restoration, the car has won both AACA first Junior and AACA First Senior awards in addition to other awards at regional and national Concours d'Elegance.

Limosine

The Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullmans were owned by two Popes, Mao Se Tung, Idi Amin, John Lennon and Hugh Hefner. This 600 series was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz from 1963 until 1981 with the last cars being imported into the United States in 1972. The 600 was designed to be the ultimate expression of understate and refined motoring luxury and was one of, if not the most expensive cars built during any given year of production. It was probably the most visible yet most unattainable automobile anywhere in the world.

In the early 1960s, Mercedes-Benz set out to produce the ultimate grand touring car. The result was the 600 series, which were built several different ways over the period of their production, including sedan, long wheelbase limousine (Pullman), long wheelbase convertible (Landaulet), and two specially built coupes. It became the automobile favored by everyone from dignitaries to despots, captains of industry to heads of state, and everyone in between, provided you had a checkbook large enough to acquire one of these rare automobiles.

This particular 600 was bought new by Hugh Hefner in 1972 as his personal 'daily driver' (chauffeur driven) for use between his home on State Street and his headquarters on Michigan Avenue. It was acquired by its current owner in 1982, restored, and continues to be seen occasionally around the same neighborhoods.

Sedan
Chassis number: 10001212002158

For 1972, Mercedes-Benz built just 210 examples of the 600. The M100 6.3-liter engine offers 300 horsepower and has 434 ft-lbs of torque. This car has recently been given a restoration and was once owned by a Forbes billionaire, Mercedes Club president, and part of the Harrah's casino collection. It is believed to have 57,088 original miles. The car has a rare illuminated rear burl wood writing tables and rear radio controls. There is a factory Becker radio, and a hydraulic system which operates the windows, seats, sun roof, climate control, and braking.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

The Mercedes-Benz 600 was introduced in September 1963 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. This car was designed without compromise or regard for cost. Design criteria included unmatched comfort and impeccable safety; room for seven people; a superb ride and handling; fully adjustable seats; unparalleled climate control, and quiet operation. Requirements were met with a variety of technologies, including an all-new, fuel-injected V8 engine, air suspension, and an intricate hydraulic system that powered everything from seats to the fuel-filler door. A marvel in its time, today this car is menacingly complex to maintain and service.

Featuring the first production V8 ever offered by Mercedes-Benz, this 300 horsepower 6.3-liter M100 engine powered the 600 from 0-60 in less than ten seconds with a seventeen-second standing quarter mile at 80 miles per hour. This is notable as this car, in its largest form, would be over 20 feet long and weigh nearly 6,000 pounds. Everything about the 600 was bigger, better, and more unique than anything offered at the time. The hand-built cars were offered for eighteen years, with just 2,418 units made. They were the first choice of Royalty around the world.

This example is one of only 60 LWB models imported to the United States and one of 12 with the factory sunroof. It is finished in MB 920 NauticBlue with MB 265 Parchment interior and Rosewood trim. Only six of those were in dark blue, and this is the only one with parchment leather interior, validation of the car's exclusivity. After sitting for twelve years, the current owner had it driven from New York to Tennessee for sympathetic restoration. It has only 12,000 original miles.

The car has a rear factory sunroof, original factory 'special feature' flag staffs with original spare and factory tool kit. Amazingly it only has 12,000 original miles. Initially used for several years at Mercedes-Benz United States headquarters in New Jersey.

Sedan
Chassis number: 100/012-12-001938

The Mercedes-Benz 600, designed by Bruno Sacco and Paul Bracq, was introduced to international acclaim in September 1963. It was immediately recognized as one of the finest built and most advanced engineered cars in the world. Only 2,677 examples were built between 1963 and 1981, the last examples built for the U.S. market in 1972. They were custom, hand built cars for heads of state, celebrities and the rich and famous including the Pope, 3 of the 4 Beatles, Fidel Castro, Pablo Escobar, Elvis Presley and a host of famous and infamous. The 6.3-liter engine propelled the 5,700 pound car to a top speed of 120 mph. It's vastly complex hydraulic system powered the sunroof, doors, seats, trunk, windows and various other systems.

With only 32,000 original miles this example is one of the last 600s built for the U.S. market. It is a rare one-of-one in moss green with red leather interior custom built for a wealthy U.S. Alabama industrialist. It was described by Mercedes-Benz factory insiders as its 'Die Weihnachts-Automobil' or 'Christmas Car.' It has undergone a lengthy restoration.

Sedan

This magnificent motor car was built especially for singer Roy Orbison, in December of 1971. Roy used this pretty woman sparingly for special occasions. Only the lonely Mercedes had only 1800 miles when Roy died December 6th, 1988. The lonely limo remained in as new condition with 1800 miles until December, 1997, when Houstonian Charles Tate acquired it to use on special V.I.P. occasions in New York City where he maintains offices as well.

Mr. Tate is now offering this pristine celebrity car at auction in hopes that it will become part of a major automobile collection that can be enjoyed by many.

Sedan
Chassis number: 100.012.12.002131

This Mercedes-Benz 600 was sold new to an individual based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin who kept it until 1992. When it entered the care of its second owner, it had just 2,520 miles on the odometer. The owner, based in Atlanta, exclusively collected black cars and when he realized it was actually Tobacco Brown, the car was placed into storage where it remained preserved until being purchased by Karl Middelhauve in 2016. Mr. Middelhauve decided to mechanically recommission the car while preserving its original condition.

This Mercedes-Benz 600 is finished in Tobacco Brown over a Cognac leather interior. It has a factory tool kit still in the plastic wrap, jack, emergency road kit, curtains, and spare tire with protective tape overall the whitewall. The Becker radio features functional rear seat controls, and a special-order 8-track tape deck.

The current owner purchased the vehicle from Mr. Middelhauve. Since that time, the air system and hydraulics have been serviced by a former Mercedes-Benz master mechanic.

This Mercedes-Benz currently has 3,355 original miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 100.012.12.002166

This Mercedes-Benz 600 series (W100 chassis) sedan is finished in its factory-correct color combination of Silver Green Metallic over deep Pine Green Metallic with color-matched Silver Green hubcaps. The interior is done in factory-correct Cognac leather upholstery offset by Macassar wood trim. It has factory front bucket seats with a refrigerated center console cabinet with Mercedes-Benz-issued thermos and fitted glassware. In the back, there are rear thermostats and privacy curtains.

by Dan Vaughan

A representation of the absolute pinnacle of automobile engineering the Mercedes- Benz 600 was introduced in 1963. The 600 has been owned by such famous people as Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Jason Kay, Hugh Hefner, Elizabeth Taylor and Aristotle Onassis.

Produced until 1980, the Mercedes has never had a equal until the Mayback 57 and 62 models were introduced. In extremely limited numbers, the 600's M-100 engine and air suspension were fitted to the 300SEL 6.3 model in 1966. This resulted in a lighter and more affordable vehicle that was now available with more competent suspension.

A larger version of the M-100 was installed following the introduction of the 'W116'.

A vehicle that was incredibly heavy, a massive 6.3L V8 engine that came with specially developed overhead camshafts and Bosch mechanical fuel injection to move the vehicle.

The vehicle was a smooth ride with good handling that came with adjustable air suspension that improved the vehicles agility.

In 1965, production began after following two years of remodeling the 1963 model.

A large luxury automobile, it featured many prestigious features including a complex hydraulic system that powered everything from seats, windows and automatic closing doors.

The vehicle was extremely smooth with exceptional handling over any and all road surfaces, due to the adjustable air suspension.

Available in several variants, the Mercedes-Benz 600 was came in either a 4-door sedan on a short wheelbase (similar to a modern S600 sedan) or a 4-door sedan with a power window that separated the front seats from the rear bench seat.

It also was available in a 4-door limousine on a longer wheelbase that featured two rear-facing seats and a rear bench seat, or a 6-door limousine on a long wheelbase chassis. The 6-door limousine came with two forward facing jump seats that were stationed at the middle two doors and rear bench seat.

Several limousines called landaulets, came with a convertible top over the rear passenger compartment. Landaulets were taken on the market in 1971.

A total of 2,677 vehicles were produced by 1981 when product was discontinued.

by Jessican Donaldson