This 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 was bought new through Martin AMC out of Warren, Ohio. The previous owner took stewardship of the car for 15 years out of Georgia and owned it until 2025 when the current owner purchased the vehicle who now keeps the vehicle in Marietta, Georgia. 1,839 units were produced worldwide in 1979 and this example is finished in Astral Silver Metallic (735) over Blue Leather (232) and it shows just under 103k miles. Power is provided by a 6.8-liter V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Amenities include a limited-slip differential, a power sunroof, ACC II automatic climate control, factory green tinted heat rejecting glass, European glass headlights with European slim bumpers, bluetooth headunit, and 14″ alloy wheels. Recent services under the current owner include an oil service, new water pump, accessory belts, brake lines, antenna rebuild, brake fluid flush, custom Coco-Mats, four new rebuilt hydro-pneumatic shocks, e-brake cable, rebuilt cruise control amplifier, and tires. This 450SEL 6.9 is now offered on behalf of the current owner out of Marietta, Georgia and includes recent service records, custom Coco-Mats, 1 key, and a clean Georgia title.
The body is finished in Astral Silver Metallic (735) and is accented by original brightwork and black body trim. Front and rear bumpers are slim European market parts along with the glass European headlights. All glass shows the original green tint from the factory and has no damage. Close ups of the windows, window trim, brightwork, and lighting can be seen in the gallery below. This example carries original glass as shown in the gallery with the white Sekurit decals and a Pilkington from MB windshield. Exterior features include a fully operating power sliding sunroof, a rebuilt Hirschmann antenna, and independently adjustable rear view mirrors. The car received a repaint in the factory color at some point during the previous ownership and presents well. Some areas of bubbling paint are noted in the door jambs, sunroof opening, and below the battery in the engine bay.
14” Fuchs manufactured light-alloy Bundt wheels are mounted with 205/70 Michelin XWX tires that show 2024 date codes which were mounted in the summer of 2025 and have a few hundred miles logged. The car was equipped at the factory with a hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension in addition to four-wheel disc brakes with ventilated front rotors. Four rebuilt struts were installed by a 6.9 specialty shop. Pictures from the seller show new brake calipers for the front and rear have been installed at some point recently and brake pads and rotors show virtually no wear. Rear rotors were installed under the current ownership along with front brake lines, driver side emergency brake cable, and an ATE DOT4 fluid flush.
The interior is trimmed in Blue Leather (232) with blue carpets and blue plastics along the interior pillars, dashboard, and center console. The ivory perforated headliner shows in excellent condition without tears or stains typical in W116s. The blue carpets show virtually no UV damage and the dashboard does not exhibit any cracks. Burl Walnut was standard on the 6.9 and is seen on the dashboard and center console along with a shifter knob. Two small hairline cracks are shown around the climate control panel. GAHH reupholstered front seats and arm rest were done by the previous owner while the rear seats remain in good original condition. The long wheelbase W116 provides 4” of additional rear leg room and offers working reading lights integrated into the C-pillar. ACC II climate control blows cold air, a Bluetooth-capable Pyle head unit provides audio, the retractable antenna has been rebuilt by the current owner, and the cruise control amplifier was sent out for service and now functions. Custom made Black & Blue Coco-mats were installed by the current owner. The front passenger window is inoperative.
The four-spoke steering wheel frames a 170-mph speedometer as well as a tachometer, an analog clock, and gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows just under 103k miles, ~700 of which were added under current ownership.
Power is provided by a dry-sump 6,834cc M100 V8 which was factory rated at 250 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque which is sent to the rear wheels through a strengthened three-speed 722.0 automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The 6.9 was hailed as the fastest production sedan in the world and could reach a top speed of 145-mph with a 0-60 time of 7-seconds. Mechanical work done through the current owner in preparation for the sale was a water pump, all new accessory belts, oil service with OEM filter, new hoses in the engine compartment, and shifter bushings.
This W116 450SEL 6.9 now shows just under 103k miles and is offered on behalf of the current owner with recent suspension services, new Michelin tires, Coco-Mats, spare parts, recent service records, and a clean Georgia title.
A detailed walk-around and driving video is provided by the seller.
The 450SEL 6.9 quite honestly shouldn’t exist. The Fuel Crisis was at full surge and Mercedes-Benz decided to make a nearly 7-liter four door super saloon to usurp the venerable 300SEL 6.3. Using the same engine from the 6.3, they upped displacement which was needed to get similar power figures as the 6.3 in an age where emissions restrictions ruled everything. Mercedes-Benz replaced the air suspension for a hydro-pneumatic, Citroën derived suspension system that was timing chain driven and then gave it a blistering top speed of over 140-mph. This is when the Cadillac Deville had a 7-liter engine that made only 180-horsepower and 320 ft/lbs. It just goes to show how far ahead Mercedes-Benz was compared to the U.S. flagship brand. The dry sump M100 engine was so big it needed to be lowered to fit under the newly Geiger designed M116 aerodynamic hood. This 6.9 appears to be a great survivor that has been maintained and cosmetically improved over the years. It’s important to note that 6.9 with some miles is a huge green flag. These cars can become ferocious projects when they sit. The new suspension is a huge plus paired with the period correct new Michelins on the right wheels. We’re happy to see Euro bumpers and head lights complete with a stunning interior color that makes this an exciting and enticing car. The seller said this was a daily driven car around Marietta, Georgia over the summer after it got a clean bill of health by Atlanta’s local 6.9 whisperer. Along with the lengthy driving video, what other proof do you need to show this was the best sedan in the late ‘70s?
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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3 Comments
I would suggest seller address non-functioning window prior to final bid....just a thought.. BestDo you have original US components; headlight/bumpers, steel hubcaps/rims etc.. repainted, new front leather seat covers. Any further service records other than you have listed ? File/binder etc "thru the years"....nice car Thank you, JNWelcome to this special auction of the legendary 450SEL 6.9! I got to spend a lot of time helping my friend and owner dial this one in along with the help of DC MotorWerks doing some work as well. The owner has actually been daily driving this car around Atlanta for months now to pressure test the rest of the systems and the repairs to make sure it is ready to hit the market. The 6.9 is a decently complicated car and if the difficult to service systems are not up to snuff, they can lead to hard ownership experiences. I’m happy to say we’re confident this car can hit the market and the next owner can regularly use this flagship Mercedes-Benz sedan. The ACC II climate control system works, the hydraulic suspension has four rebuilt struts, it drives wonderfully, new Michelin tires were installed on a beautiful set of Bundts I had stashed away for a special occasion, and the blue interior is complete and in great condition. Plus it has Euro bumpers and headlights! All of this means it drives really well. Please view everything in the gallery and watch my thorough driving video. I will be getting it up in the air for some undersides here in a few days, so stay tuned. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’m out of the country until Tuesday next week, so my responses will be met with a few hours of crickets until I can get back to my hotel to respond. Thank you and good luck!