6.9 40th Birthday Cruise

[BHW]

I'm interested in the quoted figure of 55 x 6.9s in the first 1978 shipment to Australia. Did MB provide this data?

Hello David, I posted the stats from Mercedes years ago in different places. My apologies as every time I tried to post the tables they kept coming out wonky for some reason leaving me to sentence form. Not having my research stats readily available, the quickest quotes I found today were per Wiki:

Production

Year 1975, World 474, North America 0, Year 1976, World 1475, North America 0, Year 1977, World 1798, North America 462, Year 1978, World 1665, North America 437, Year 1979, World 1839, North America 576, Year 1980, World 129, North America 317, Year 1981, World 4, North America 0. World Total 7380. North America Total 1816.

Quoting Mathew, "These figures are provided courtesy of the MB Classic center in Germany a very helpful bunch of people. Australian deleveries are as follows:" Michel took part in this Thread as well from 2007.

Year 1973, 450 SEL 98, Year 1974, 450 SEL 311, Year 1975, 450 SEL 0, Year 1976, 450 SEL 305, 450 SEL 6.9 0, Year 1977, 450 SEL 271, 450 SEL 6.9 0, Year 1978, 450 SEL 237, 450 SEL 6.9 87, Year 1979, 450 SEL 277, 450 SEL 6.9 140, Year 1980, 450 SEL 40, 450 SEL 6.9 1. 450 SEL Total 1539. 450 SEL 6.9 Total 228.

According to Mathew's quote via MB Classic center in Germany there were 87 6.9s shipped in 1978. Hope this helps.

 

[Oversize]

I'm interested in the quoted figure of 55 x 6.9s in the first 1978 shipment to Australia. Did MB provide this data?

I think that related to pre orders in an article I read recently. Currently trying to find it!!

 

[BHW]

I think that related to pre orders in an article I read recently. Currently trying to find it!!

This website article speaks to, "Maybe just over 100 'six-point-nines' (as it has been known) came to Australia." and mentions Fangio. Not sure without my research from back when. That's why I quoted Mathew. Mathew quotes as gaining that information from MB Germany.

https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/feature-cars/1402/worlds-greatest-cars-mercedes-benz-450sel-69

 

[BHW]

Sent two emails to Mercedes-Benz Germany. Will keep you posted. May get the same answers that Mathew got

 

[BHW]

Update: I received two emails back early this morning from Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives and Collection, Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive & Sammlung, Daimler AG, Stuttgart, Germany and I quote from the gentleman, "in the export statistics and can inform you that the total number of 228 vehicles of the type Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 to Australia is correct." This is straight from Mercedes-Benz Germany. Let's put this matter to rest. Mathew was correct in his posting and if I went back to my research as I did via Mercedes-Benz I might have the exact same figures.

 

[Oversize]

Roughly $13.7M AUD in 1978 or $56.1M today.... Nice for a low production vehicle!

 

[Oversize]

Others keep detailed records of the Aussie cars, including a breakdown by colour.

 

[BHW]

Others keep detailed records of the Aussie cars, including a breakdown by colour.

I think that's wonderful to have such knowledge about these classic, now rare beauties including breakdown by colour.

 

[Oversize]

Here’s the info I have from records kept by Nathan in WA. The log / register hasn’t been updated in a long time, so Ive requested an audit!

 

[Oversize]

Someone’s boof head is in the way....

https://youtu.be/72RH7LJ4ZY8

 

[Patrick_R]

A wonderful post, and some great images.
The 6.9 is a true rare car indeed.
I’ve never actually seen one in person.

My personal opinion of the W116 is the most beautiful, and magnificent 4 door Mercedes Benz made. I am a 4 door sedan or “saloon tragic”
I also believe it was the best looking car in the world at the time bar none.

It was a truely revolutionary design, that carried no design queues over from the previous model (please correct me if I am wrong)

Not to mention technology that was not to be seen in other cars for up to 20 years or more

Being brought up around Holdens and Fords, this car to me looked like it was from a science fiction movie.
Just everything about it was stunning to look at.

I love....
The A pillar with the paint and the chrome
The chrome mirror covers
The abundance of brightwork all over the car, it is so uplifting.
The headrests are fantastic, and I’m disappointed my 560 has shapeless headrests.
The low wide look
The painted hub caps
The angled side blinker lenses
Double stacked bumper bars with chunky protector strips
And an interior and dash that was like no other car in the world.

A car truely ahead of its time, and I think we are so lucky that so many survive through hard work from everyone here on this forum.