1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Series

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and Roadster of the 1950s brought the company racing victories and accolades. The well-engineered series of production 220 sedans and up-market models that included the 190SL, 300S, and 300Sc models were followed by the first Mercedes-Benz V8 engine. This engine would appear throughout the Mercedes-Benz model line, including the 300SEL which would eventually become the world's fastest production sedan. Next came the world's most luxurious limousine ever built, the Mercedes-Benz 600.

The 1963 V8 engine displaced 6,330cc and was given mechanical fuel-injection with large dual air intake tubes and a cam atop each cylinder bank. The unibody 600 was built in small quantities each year at Sindelfingen, from 1963 to 1981. The 7/8 passenger 600 sedan made its debut at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show. The design was first seen on the Paul Bracq 230SL roadster design that had debuted at the earlier Geneva Auto Show that same year and penned along the same lines of the earlier new 20 SEb Coupe penned by the director of design Bruno Sacco in 1961.

The Mercedes-Benz 600 sedan had an overall length of 218.1 inches and would eventually become known as the SWB (short-wheelbase version). The larger Pullman version was stretched to a length of 245.67 inches. The 600 SWB sedan weighed 5,300 lbs. and was capable of achieving speeds of 125 to 130 mph. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 10 seconds. Fuel consumption was rated at 9 to 12 mpg with a just under 30-gallon fuel tank fitted. Disc brakes were found on all four wheels, with dual calipers at the front with regular disc brakes at the rear that was power boosted via the air from the fully independent, self-leveling air suspension. The rear suspension was a swing axle setup along with driver-adjustable shock absorbers via a steering column three-position lever. The ground clearance height could be raised automatically through hydraulics. Five v-belts drove two alternators, the AC, a hydraulic pump, a cooling fan, and the air compressor.

There were over 50 pieces of real wood trim, a full array of blackout curtains, and 13 courtesy lights inside a standard 600. Popular factory options included the choice of velour or leather interior, a sunroof, a glass window divider between driver and rear-seat passengers, refrigerated bars, and flag mounts for the front fenders. Power-operated equipment, via hydraulics with pressures up to 300psi, including all the windows and the interior privacy glass, front and rear seats (the first in a Mercedes-Benz), the sunroof, cowl vent, fuel filler door, rear trunk lid, and doors in the early models.

The interior temperatures were operated through separate warm/cool controls, and the stereo controls were duplicated in the rear seat area. There was an intercom system with a microphone conveniently placed on the steering column. The parking brake automatically disengaged when the 600 was put into gear. The steering column was fully adjustable for angle and distance, and there were remote-control mirrors and vacuum-operated central door locks.

Over the eighteen years of production, a total of 2,667 Mercedes-Benz 600 models were built. Of these, 2,190 were the SWB cars, while another 428 were the 27.6-inch longer wheelbase versions. Some of the Pullman models were six-door versions, although the four-door model was more common. Just 59 were the custom-built 600 Landaulet versions.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 10001212001339

The 600-Series Mercedes-Benz was introduced in 1964. It was powered by an all-alloy 6.3-liter 300 horsepower engine with hydraulic and mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox. It had a comprehensive hydraulic and pneumatic system that powered the self-leveling suspension, assisted the brakes, and helped open the massive doors. It also smoothly and silently operated the windows, trunk, seats and sunroof. Standard equipment included power steering, an automatic gearbox, air conditioning and radio.

This example has been maintained both cosmetically and mechanically as needed, but is largely original. It has California black plates which, if they are original, could explain its rust-free condition. It has an AM/FM cassette, an altimeter and a chronometer.

It was part of the O'Quinn collection and has about $37,000 in recent mechanical work, including a major overhaul of heating and air conditioning systems, along with water pump, radiator, A/C compressor, a comprehensive top end engine overhaul, a rebuild of the hydraulic system including accumulator, power steering and power braking systems.

It is finished in silver with a black interior. The odometer reads just under 75,000 miles. The rear seats show some sign of minor cracking and aging. The front seats are in better condition, indicating restoration work at some point.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' event presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $66,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 100.012.12.001667

The large and luxurious Mercedes-Benz 600 was introduced in 1963 and came equipped with a hydraulic pump powered self-leveling air suspension, brakes, door locks, power seats, trunk, windows, and sunroof. Two wheelbase lengths were offered including a 'short' 126-platform and a larger 153.5-inch Pullman.

This particular example is believed to have started life as a European embassy car, before being purchased by its second owner in Minnesota. More recently, it was given a year-long overhaul that cost $80,000 to complete. During that time, the air suspension was rebuilt, new Michelin tires fitted, brakes renewed, and the hydraulic switches serviced and adjusted. Front and back windshields were replaced, along with door, window, and sunroof seals. The engine was upgraded with a breakerless ignition, new Bosch injection pump, recalibrated injectors, and cold start valves. The radiator was rebuilt, hoses replaced, and the transmission serviced.

This Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB has been re-painted in its correct color. The interior features a Becker Grand Prix stereo, whiskey glasses and container, and cherry wood trim. The car has its original spare tire, tools, and a jack.

by Dan Vaughan

Pullman Limousine
Chassis number: 100.014-12-001655

This Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman 4-Door Limousine is powered by a 6,332cc single overhead cam V8 engine fitted with a Bosch mechanically controlled Fuel Injection system. There is a four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel disc brakes. The car was delivered new on May 29th of 1970 to Mercedes-Benz USA. It was reported to have been delivered new to Michael Pipella, with options that included air conditioning, an intercom system, insulated glass, and a Becker Grand Prix radio.

The Grosser Benz eventually made its way to Japan. The current owner acquired the car from Japan and began an extensive refurbishment and restoration of the machine between 2004 and 2014. It is currently finished in DB040 schwarz (black), its original color, with beige velour cloth interior. There is a period-correct Sony television and a cooler.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

Debuting to international acclaim in 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 600 was the design of Bruno Sacco and Paul Bracq. All were hand-built to order with 2,677 produced between 1963 and 1981; the last U.S.-bound examples arriving in 1972. A 6.3-liter fuel-injected V-8 powers the 5,700-pound car to a top speed of 120 mph and a vastly complex system of hydraulics controls the sunroof, doors, seats, trunk, windows, and various other components. Most were purchased by heads of state, celebrities, and the rich and famous; including the Pope, three of the four Beatles, Fidel Castro, Pablo Escobar, and Elvis Presley.

This vehicle was in storage for 15 years and today, has little more than 18,000 miles on its odometer.

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