1969 Mercedes-Benz 600

The Mercedes-Benz 600 (internally designated the W100) was introduced at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show and built until 1981. They were smooth, quiet, and ridiculously comfortable, and most were sold to royalty, government officials, and celebrities. The 600, named for the size of its engine, came in two wheelbases under three designs, including a four-door limousine version with a 126-inch (3.20m) wheelbase and a 153.5-inch Pullman model, available with either four or six doors and a 'conversation pit'-style rear compartment. The most popular body style was the short-wheelbase sedan of which 2,190 were built. 304 Pullmans (Pullmans represented long-wheelbase), 124 six-door Pullmans, and 59 Landaulets were produced through 1981.

The options list on the well-equipped 600 was minimal and included a sunroof, flag standards, refrigerated bars, and divided window. Standard amenities included automatic heating and ventilation control (dual-zone), leather upholstery, varnished wood consoles in the front and rear, and chromed embellishments.

All of the windows, doors, seats, sunroof, cowl vent, and trunk were hydraulically power-assisted, and this was the first of the Mercedes to be equipped with a V-8 engine. The Bosch mechanical fuel-injected, 6,330cc, overhead-cam engine with dry-sump lubrication produced 250 horsepower (DIN) and 360 ft-lbs of torque. Stopping power was by four-wheel disc brakes. The advertised top speed was 127 mph.

Some noteworthy names include Hugh Hefner, Elizabeth Taylor, John Lennon, George Harrison, Aristotle Onassis, and Elvis Presley. The Mercedes 600 was also popularly used in film, featured most famously in James Bonds On Her Majestys Service and Diamonds Are Forever.

by Dan Vaughan

SWB Limousine

This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB Limousine was originally ordered by King Hassan II of Morocco. It is one of only 50 short wheelbase 600 Limos with the divider partition. The car currently has 17,000 original miles and is in unrestored condition except for the re-spray.

Presidential Landaulet

The 600 Mercedes debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1963, where it caused a sensation. Its luxurious power and design far outclassed other cars. The top-of-the-range Presidential Landaulets were the most exclusive; just 10 were built for heads of state and royalty. This car was built for the Romanian Government and was used by Nicolae Ceausecu until the late 1970s.

SWB Limousine

The 600 was the world's most luxurious car in its time: The preferred choice of royalty and wealthy people around the globe. This particular car is the short wheelbase model in sedate black with a black leather interior. Just 279 were built in 1969 when they cost around $25,000. Despite the rarity and cost, little is known about the provenance of this example. Its first home was the United Sates, but it was later purchased by a Canadian who began a restoration. This languished for more than a decade, forgotten in the corner of a new defunct upholstery shop.

The current owner has spent over two years continuing this restoration. The paint was stripped to bare metal and all parts removed for a pristine finish. Most parts were re-chromed, re-plated, restored or replaced as necessary. The drive train and complete air suspension was restored. A period Becker radio was sourced. The car features high-security keys and a shift-lick anti-theft system. The factory air conditioning cools a small space holding the factory-installed mini-bar, and even cools a cooper plate beneath the carpet to keep the passenger's feet cool.

The 600 had no immediate predecessor thus nearly all components were designed just for this car. An engineer's dream with cost being no object. It was the first Mercedes-Benz to have a V8 production engine, the M100. The 6.3 liter, fuel injected engine makes 300 horsepower. It can send this car from 0-60 in 12 seconds, and boasts a top speed of over 120 mph. Impressive for a car weighing over 5,000 pounds!

Sedan

This vehicle was originally delivered to the president of Mexico as a gift and was only driven 6,000 miles before being placed in a warehouse for storage for 15 years. Currently, the vehicle has only 18,318 original miles, and it has been faithfully maintained by Merces throughout its lifetime. Only 2,677 of these vehicles were produced between 1963 and 1981, and its M-100 engine and pneumatic suspension assisted in creating the world's fastest four-door saloon. The 600 had been owned by countless celebrities and it has made its way onto many television shows and movies, including several James Bond films, Falcon Crest, The Princess Diaries, and many others.

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