1978 Mercedes-benz 450sel 6.9 Sedan 4-door 6.8l on 2040-cars

Up for sale is my all-original, two-owner, 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 that I affectionately named “The 7 Litre.” It is a virtually rust-free Southern car that has lived its entire life in Memphis, TN. It is a complete car but is not running at this time.

I am the second owner – having purchased the 7 Litre on February 21, 1988 (see picture of sales document). I have cropped out my name and address for privacy of course, but the new owner will receive the untouched copy along with the title.  The new owner will be pleasantly surprised when they see that the car, title, owner, and address all match to this day – dating back to 1988.

The previous owner was Mr. Robertson who owned the first Mercedes-Benz dealership in Memphis – Robertson Motors at 2950 Airways Blvd. Mr. Robertson had a tendency to get new cars frequently (as dealers do), but this 6.9 was just too much fun to pass on. So he ended up keeping it in his collection for 10 years before selling it to a competing used Mercedes dealership in town – Benz Bavaria, Ltd. At 3466 Park Avenue. That is where I purchased the car for $16,700 less my trade-in.

The car was in remarkable condition when I purchased it for my wife. Finished in grey blue metallic paint with parchment leather and burl walnut trim, it was quite a beautiful car. Having an engineering background, I was impressed with the sophistication of the 6.9 Mercedes as well. The M-100 engine, with its dry sump lubrication and hydraulic valve gear actuation, truly was a marvel. The hydro pneumatic oil/nitrogen struts and self-leveling rear suspension was quite novel as well.  Even though the car was 10 years old when we took possession of it, it was still cutting edge. Even the newer body style 560SEL at the time could not keep up with this car.

For 10 years, we had a ball with the 7 Litre – including the time in Alabama when I took her up to 135 mph with still more room in the pedal (I backed off though questioning the last time the tires were replaced). It was so effortlessly fast, and unbelievably well mannered over bumps and in corners. We took care of it, and it took care of us.

Sadly, the car got away from me after my wife passed away in February of 1998. With 4 cars in my driveway, it was difficult to keep everything going. The last time I drove this car, in 2001, it was in tip-top condition inside and out. When I went to start it a few weeks later, it did not want to fire up. When I circled back to it a few weeks later, the battery was dead. From there, it sat until about 6 years ago when I charged up the battery and tried it again with the help of a Mercedes mechanic who at that time made house calls. We were able to get it to run by pouring gas into the intake, but that was it. I was not really interested in throwing any more money into the car, so I chose to let it sit.

With the help of a family friend who is a car guru, I recently tried to get the 7 Litre running again. Unfortunately, we determined that the engine is now locked up (quite surprisingly in my opinion). We pulled the belts and cooling blade off to access the crankshaft bolt. Despite a generous soaking of WD40, PB Blaster, and Marvel Mystery Oil in the spark plug holes we were unable to make the crank turn. Granted, we were a bit timid – not wanting to break the bolt. So perhaps the right mechanic with the appropriate knowledge and tools will have better luck.

The Bad News Is:

Besides the non-running engine, you can see that the car is in need of cosmetic attention. There is surface rust on the hood and gas filler cap. The paint is oxidized. The interior (seats, headliner, carpeting, and wood) has been badly damaged by stopped up/leaking sunroof drains.

The Good News Is:

The car is complete and missing absolutely nothing. From the original spare Michelin XWX tire specially made for the 6.9 Mercedes and untouched Bundt wheel, to the perfect glass all around, to the rust free chrome, to the straight as an arrow bodywork that has never been in an accident. The car has a transmission in it that was replaced by AAMCO Transmissions less than 100 miles ago – to the tune of over $3,000. I had brand new brake rotors and pads replaced all-around less than 500 miles ago. The car has a brand new water pump in it – which was extremely expensive for the part and labor. Luckily, I had the sense to place cinder blocks under the car, so it has remained in the up position all this time. Given that the suspension system was working properly before I stopped driving it, hopefully it will work fine once the car runs again. 

Please understand that parting with this car will be like parting with a family member – a well regarded one. I have owned The 7 Litre for nearly 27 years after all. I understand the condition is wanting and repair costs are not cheap. However, I have a lot invested in this car, a lot of memories, and I truly hope that a Mercedes mechanic or collector will find a way to pump new life into it.

Thank you for looking, I am happy to answer any questions you e-mail me, and I look forward to passing the torch to a new owner soon.