1978 Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9

Vehicle Overview

Ended on Bring a Trailer Auctions : 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9


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This 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 is one of 1,816 examples produced for the US market, was listed on BaT in February 2020, and was acquired by the current owner in 2022. It is powered by a 6.8-liter V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and finished in silver over gray velour upholstery. Equipment includes 14? Bundt wheels, fog lights, European-specification headlights, headlight wipers and washers, a power sunroof, an automatic antenna, heated front seats, automatic climate control, power windows, and a Becker Mexico AM/FM/cassette stereo. This W116 is now offered on dealer consignment with 2022 service records and a clean California title.

The car left the factory finished in Astral Silver Metallic (735G) and is believed to have been repainted. Features include chrome trim, European-specification headlights, headlight wipers and washers, fog lights, an automatic antenna, a power sunroof, and a Mercedes-Benz European Delivery Program badge affixed to the grille. The selling dealer reports that the right-rear outer door release does not work. Paint meter readings are shown in the photo gallery below.

Alloy 14? Bundt wheels are mounted with 215/70 Michelin XWX tires, and a full-size spare is stowed in the trunk. The car is equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and a self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension system. An alignment was performed and the tires were balanced in July 2022.

The cabin features heated front seats upholstered in gray velour cloth, while burl wood accents the dashboard and center console. Equipment includes automatic climate control, power windows, and a Becker Mexico AM/FM/cassette stereo.

A four-spoke steering wheel fronts a 170-mph speedometer, a tachometer with an inset analog clock, and a combination gauge. The six-digit odometer shows 81k miles.

The 6.8-liter M100 V8 features Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication, and was rated at 250 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque when new. The car most recently passed a California emissions test in July 2022.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. Additional photos of the underside are presented in the gallery.

The under-hood data plate decodes as follows:

• 735G – Astral Silver Metallic paint
• 531 – Automatic antenna
• 581 – Automatic climate control
• 592 – Heat-insulating glass
• 870 – Heated driver’s seat
• 871 – Heated passenger’s seat
• 410 – Electric sliding roof
• 494 – California U.S. version
• 518 – Becker Mexico stereo