[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by DKG

There's one with a friend here in Hyd Karlos.

PS I just checked with him. They apparently sold the car to someone from Bangalore and thinks it may either have gone to VM's collection or to someone in Kerala. The car was imported from the US and was in white, later painted black. I had seen it a couple of years ago when they had just acquired it.

I had personally seen that car in Hyderabad, it was a coloumn shift auto. That car was not a 6.9, it was a regular 450 SEL.

[DKG]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

I had personally seen that car in Hyderabad, it was a coloumn shift auto. That car was not a 6.9, it was a regular 450 SEL.

The owners claimed it was a 6.9. In anycase I don't know the subtle differences between the regular 450 SEL and the 6.9 version

I had seen a few 6.9's in the US and unless you are a fan and know all the diffs the main giveaway was a 6.9 badge alongside the 450 SEL

[imperial.s.a]

Originally Posted by DKG

The owners claimed it was a 6.9. In anycase I don't know the subtle differences between the regular 450 SEL and the 6.9 version

I had seen a few 6.9's in the US and unless you are a fan and know all the diffs the main giveaway was a 6.9 badge alongside the 450 SEL

yes doc the car is an 450sel at present the car is with me the black one did u manage to get a bentely for 5 lakhs or closer to it

[V-16]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

I had personally seen that car in Hyderabad, it was a coloumn shift auto. That car was not a 6.9, it was a regular 450 SEL.

Ah so we know of another W116 which has a column shift!!!

Originally Posted by DKG

The owners claimed it was a 6.9. In anycase I don't know the subtle differences between the regular 450 SEL and the 6.9 version

I had seen a few 6.9's in the US and unless you are a fan and know all the diffs the main giveaway was a 6.9 badge alongside the 450 SEL

Actually there was no tell-tale sign to differentiate a 450sel from a 6.9 except the badge or unless it were parked. A parked 6.9 would always have a slumped look as if it were a low rider on the rear end only. As if the rear suspension had packed up. This was due to the hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension, every 6.9 came with. It was also a first for a Mercedes. Other than that one could not tell if a W116 was a 6.9 or not unless one looked under the hood or could tell the difference between Walnut Veneer form the standard which was offered on the 450sel.

[wasif]

Originally Posted by imperial.s.a

yes doc the car is an 450sel at present the car is with me the black one did u manage to get a bentely for 5 lakhs or closer to it

Does your car have a dry sump lubrication system ?If so then it is a genuine 6.9. Also what is the car regestered as in terms of engine capacity.

Other features that distinguish the 6.9 is the hydropnumatic self leveling suspension which was pump driven off the timing chain.

The oil for this was carried in a specail reservoir in the engine bay. This car also came with adjustable ride height via a knob mounted under the speedo in the dash. You would have to pull it to increase the ride height of the car bu around 50 mm.

The biggest differentiating point would be the absence of a dipstick on the engine itself to check the oil level and the fact that the engine oil capacity was almost double that of a standard car. The dipstick is actually in built with the cap of the remote oil tank and the level has to be checked only when the car is at operating temprature and with the engine running.

The car actually came with a four speed automatic with a torque converter but the first gear was locked out by the company and hense it gave the impression of being a three speed.

Some cars have had the first gear unlocked which results in faster acceleration but with a drop in fuel consumption.

Produced between 1975 to 81 the total production was 7380 units.

Arguably one of the worlds best sedan cars ever made.

Below are pictures of the engine bay, interiors and the rear showing the discreet 6.9 badging.

[scooby05]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

So can anyone recall is a genuine 6.9 exists in India? I haven't seen one till date.

Karl, I have seen a Genuine 450SEL-6.9, at Archies garage in your Pune, some 10 years back. Was on sale. The gear box was packed up. Belonged to your famous Pune family who love exotics and stretches.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by scooby05

Karl, I have seen a Genuine 450SEL-6.9, at Archies garage in your Pune, some 10 years back. Was on sale. The gear box was packed up. Belonged to your famous Pune family who love exotics and stretches.

Scoobyji, the car did indeed have a 6.9 badge, but thats it. It is the same car that I have pictured earlier.

[V-16]

Yes thats right. It only had the 6.9 badge. The car now is in spanking shape. Hope to get my W116 done like that soon.

[scooby05]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Scoobyji, the car did indeed have a 6.9 badge, but thats it. It is the same car that I have pictured earlier.

Please check out which is one standing at Davis, i think its the ex feroz khan. Am told there was one at Bangalore too! I have wanted one for 15 years

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by scooby05

Please check out which is one standing at Davis, i think its the ex feroz khan. Am told there was one at Bangalore too! I have wanted one for 15 years

That too is a regular 450SEL, if there is such a thing.

I believe it belongs to the poultry magnate.

[Dippy]

Off topic

Why is that SEL looking like scale model to me ?

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Dippy

Off topic

Why is that SEL looking like scale model to me ?

Not looking like, but definitely is.

[vcash]

I was doing some spring cleaning in our home study and came across a file with some interesting owner manuals - One is for a 600 Grosser and the other for a 219. Also included were a workshop service manual and historical literature along with a visitors pass.

Now IIRC, these were given to us a long time ago by someone who worked at TELCO whose responsibility was to service and maintain their fleet of mercs. This begs the question - Did the Tata's ever have a 600? I will do some further digging on this. They had a 219 for sure which was offered to my father in the 80's for 30K but we did not buy it decision that seems silly in retrospect.)

For now, here are the pictures:

[scooby05]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

That too is a regular 450SEL, if there is such a thing.

I believe it belongs to the poultry magnate.

Is Feroz Khans, was taken by magnate to get the restoring/refurbishing done, but then left halfway, 2 years now.
Any idea about the bangalore one or is that also just a normal 4.5 V8

vcash- If I remember right Telco was requisitioned at one time 1980 to work/service on the GOI Presidents 600, maybe thats why they had this manual.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by vcash

I was doing some spring cleaning in our home study and came across a file with some interesting owner manuals - One is for a 600 Grosser and the other for a 219. Also included were a workshop service manual and historical literature along with a visitors pass.

What a find, lucky you.

That last book looks really interesting, Karl Benz und Gottlieb Daimler. How large is it, can you share a scan with us? And while you're at it, the 600 as well