1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL

** Since 1994 our family business has been specialising in prestige European car sales from our indoor warehouse in Sydney **

** WINNER of the 2020 Local Business awards for Outstanding Automotive Services**

1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 Australian Delivered

208,000 kilometres | Matching Numbers | Full History | Exceptional Condition |

A truly exceptional example of one of the most important high-performance luxury saloons ever produced the legendary Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9.

Australian delivered from new and finished in beautiful 737 Classic White with Parchment velour interior, this 1978 450SEL 6.9 presents in extraordinary condition and is accompanied by an extensive documented history from new.

Built at Mercedes-Benz's Sindelfingen factory in August 1978 to 1979 specification, it was first registered on 17 November 1978 through BEA Motors in Adelaide, South Australia.

It has travelled approximately 208,000 kilometres from new, fully documented, and has remained in its current ownership since 2007.

Most importantly, this is a matching-numbers 450SEL 6.9, retaining its original mighty 6.9-litre M100 V8 engine.

The Legendary 6.9

The 450SEL 6.9 was no ordinary W116 S-Class.

At its heart is Mercedes-Benz's magnificent 6.9-litre M100 V8, an engine descended from the unit used in the extraordinary Mercedes-Benz 600. Combined with the long-wheelbase W116 body and sophisticated self-levelling hydro-pneumatic suspension, the 6.9 became one of the world's fastest and most technically advanced four-door cars of its era.

Today, genuine 450SEL 6.9s occupy a very special position amongst collectible Mercedes-Benz models.

Finding an Australian-delivered example is desirable. Finding one with matching numbers, fully documented kilometres, history from new and this level of presentation is considerably more difficult.

Extraordinary History & Documentation

This car comes with a remarkable historical file including:

All original books
Service history from new
Invoices from new
Original and spare keys
Extensive factory technical specification documentation
Factory repair manual documentation
Fully documented kilometres
Long-term ownership since 2007

The accompanying records state that the car has never been involved in an accident, is structurally very sound and rust-free, and retains a straight body. It received a closed-door repaint by a previous owner.

More recently, the 6.9 received a mechanical refresh in February 2026 by MB Spares and Service.

Impressive Factory Specification

The original factory-option information confirms an unusually comprehensive specification:

410 Electric sliding sunroof
452 Two-tone horn
503 Left-hand exterior rear-view mirror
524 Factory shipping paint preservation
601 Factory-supplied limited-slip differential oil
613 Headlamps configured for keep-left traffic/right-hand drive
625 Australian-market version
640 Five factory 14-inch Fuchs alloy wheels
668 Pre-fuelled at the factory
677 Tropical-specification battery for Australia
809 Built to 1979 specification
870 Electrically heated driver's seat
871 Electrically heated front passenger seat
872 Electrically heated rear bench seat

The combination of factory heated front and rear seats is particularly unusual on an Australian-delivered W116 and adds considerably to the interest of this particular car.

Beautifully Preserved & Carefully Refreshed

The 905 Parchment velour upholstery and carpeting were completely renewed in 2024 to the original factory specification and are described as being as-new and unmarked.

The car sits correctly on its OEM Fuchs "Bundt" alloy wheels, fitted with near-new Michelin XWX 215/70 VR14 tyres and factory stainless-steel valves.

Importantly for any 6.9 buyer, its sophisticated hydro-pneumatic suspension has been overhauled, including fitment of new Febi accumulators.

Remarkably, the car also retains a set of the extremely rare factory-original emergency suspension rubber blocks.

Further original equipment includes:

Original Becker Mexico cassette stereo
Original speakers
Original Hirschmann electrically retracting antenna
Factory first-aid kit, still unopened and located on the rear parcel shelf
Factory electric sunroof
Heated front seats
Heated rear seat
Five factory Fuchs alloy wheels
Original and spare keys
Matching-numbers 6.9-litre M100 V8

The documentation records chassis number 1111 together with its matching engine.

An Outstanding Australian-Delivered 6.9

This is exactly the sort of 450SEL 6.9 that serious enthusiasts search for.

It combines Australian delivery, matching numbers, fully documented mileage, extensive history from new, long-term ownership, desirable factory options and exceptional presentation.

Finished in timeless Classic White over its beautiful Parchment velour cabin, the car presents virtually as new and gives every indication that considerable care and expense have been devoted to preserving one of Mercedes-Benz's greatest flagship motor cars.

The 450SEL 6.9 has long been regarded as one of the defining Mercedes-Benz models of the 1970s discreet in appearance, extraordinarily sophisticated underneath and powered by one of the marque's most celebrated V8 engines.

This represents a rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully presented and unusually well-documented Australian-delivered example of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9.

1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9
Australian Delivered
6.9-Litre M100 V8 Matching Numbers
208,000 kilometres Fully Documented
Classic White / Parchment Velour
Full History from New
Factory Electric Sunroof
Factory Heated Front & Rear Seats

- we are extremely thorough about the sort of cars we buy and go over them with a fine- tooth comb.
- this car will be mechanically checked over and receive a NSW roadworthy permit
- we are so excited to show you this fine example and look forward to meeting you in person one day soon

**** FREE 12 MONTH EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE ON ALL VEHICLES SOLD - SINCE 1994 *****

"Please only inquire if you are a very genuine serious buyer as we are charged per inquiry - this is very much appreciated by us"

Celebrating our 30 year anniversary this year, our family run business is located in the centre of greater Sydney with plenty of off-street parking

* 2020 Winner Local Business Award for Automotive excellence
* 2021 and 2022 Finalist Australian Small Business Champions Award
* Featured on the Discovery Channel for Wheeler Dealers Trading Up
* Platinum sponsor of the Mercedes Benz Car Club NSW
* very passionate expert staff have over 30 years of experience
* more than 60 hand selected cars in stock
* over 6,500 prestige motor vehicles sold here in Sydney
* MTA Member for over 25 years
* Each car has a narrated 5-7 minute high definition video on our own web site.
* We have a mechanic inspect every car that we have for sale
* Finance with extremely competitive rates and are able to finance much older cars.
* Interstate transport can be arranged easily
* Car history reports are available upon request
* We don't buy our cars from auction houses
* Extended warranties are available from an excellent company
* Our main aim is to form an ongoing relationship with you for many years
* We're also an agent for the NSW Roads and Maritime Services so transfer of registration and plate swaps can be done at our office.

Please contact us for a very personal experience and as always a great deal on price.