Mercedes Benz 450SEL

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Mercedes

Mercedes Benz 450SEL

1975 - 1980
Country:
Germany
Engine:
V8
Capacity:
6.835L
Power:
286hp
Transmission:
3spd auto
Top Speed:
unknown
Number Built:
7380
Collectability:
2 star
Mercedes 450SEL 6.3
by Nathan Vujcich

First offered in 1975, it shared the grand 600s 6.3 liter V8 but had it bored out to 417ci/6.835Ltrs to produce an appreciable 286hp and highway pounding 550Nm of torque.

It was and remains the biggest postwar engine mercedes ever made.  A 0-100 figure in the low 7's made it the quickest luxury 4 door in the world at the time, but it was its freeway abilities past 100kmh which really impressed and left all in its wake. 

Times could have been more impressive but Mercedes Benz decided a 3 speed was adequate, rather than using a 4 speed which was in the 6.9s forefather - the even 'quicker' 300SEL 6.3.

The huge engine utilised dry sump oil delivery to allow the engine to fit under the existing bodywork of the W116 S class chasis. 

It employed a unique hydro-pnuematic suspension which provided for the ultimate in 70's ride, enabling self levelling (no matter the load) capabilities and the ability to raise the car around 3 inches (to prevent mud piling on the underside of your car when touring your estate!)

But what distinguished one of the worlds most expensive cars from its lesser brethren, absolutely nothing over a base model 280SEL which cost less than 1/2 the price!..only an astute eye would pic the 6.9 badge on the right rear boot.

By the end of production in 1980, only 7380 of these german muscle cars were made, many shipped to the US and being robbed of power by emissiom standards there (US version only had 250hp).

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