Mercedes-Benz 600 Explained

Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100)
Manufacturer:Daimler-Benz
Assembly:West Germany: Stuttgart
Class:Ultra-luxury car
Limousine
Engine:6.3 L M100 V8
Layout:FR layout
Successor:Mercedes-Benz S 600 (600 SWB; 1993–present)
Maybach 57 and 62
(600 Pullman; 2002–2012)
Mercedes-Maybach S 600 (600 LWB; 2015-present)
Wheelbase:SWB: 32001NaN1
LWB: 39001NaN1
Length:SWB: 55801NaN1
LWB: 63401NaN1
Width:19501NaN1
Height:SWB: 15001NaN1
LWB: 15101NaN1
Weight:2990-

The Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) is a line of ultra-luxury cars produced by Daimler-Benz from 1963 to 1981. The forerunner of the modern Maybach marque, the Grosser Mercedes ("Grand Mercedes") succeeded the Type 300d "Adenauer" as the company's flagship model. It was positioned above the 300-series Mercedes-Benz W112 in price, amenities, and status. Its few competitors included British and American equivalents such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lincoln Continental, Cadillac Series 75, and Imperial. It was well known for its ownership among celebrities and political leaders throughout the late 20th century.[1]

Generally, the short-wheelbase (SWB) models were designed to be owner-driven, whereas the long-wheelbase (LWB) and limousine models, often incorporating a central divider with power window, were intended for chauffeur operation.

History

The 600 replaced the Mercedes-Benz W189 limousine, which was nicknamed the Adenauer, after Konrad Adenauer, who employed several of these during his term as the first West German chancellor.

Production began in 1964 and continued through to 1981.[2] During this time, production totalled 2,677 units, comprising 2,190 Saloons, 304 Pullmans, 124 6-door Pullmans and 59 Landaulets.[2]

The 600 succeeded the 1961 Mercedes-Benz W112 in using a pneumatic self-levelling suspension,[3] [4] an enhancement of the Mercedes-Benz 300d Adenauer's dashboard activated mechanical torsion bar based system. A version is incorporated in Mercedes' current Active Body Control.

With its demise in 1981, the 600 marked the last ultra-luxury model that the brand produced in an unbroken line since the model 60 hp Simplex from 1903.[5] The company would return to this segment some 20 years later with the Maybach 57/62, but these extremely expensive cars failed to sell in expected and necessary numbers. As a result, Daimler ended production of the Maybach brand in 2012 and has not returned to this segment.

, the Mercedes flagship is the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which occupies a considerably lower price bracket and is not a true successor to the 600 and earlier models. However, it is seen as a spiritual successor, since it is the first luxury Mercedes-Benz production model since the 600 to feature some bespoke design touches not available on the standard S-Class.

Models

The 600 came in two main variants:

A number of the limousines were made as landaulets, with a convertible top over the rear passenger compartment. Two versions of the convertible roof were made: long roof and short roof. Of them, the short roof, which opens only above the last, third row of seats, is the more common version. Rarer, especially with the 6-door landaulets, is the long roof, called the "Presidential roof". In all, 59 landaulets were produced, and of them, only 26 were 6-door landaulets. Of these 26, only nine were 6-doors landaulets with the long Presidential-type roof. One of these nine cars was used by the former Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito, and it was sold in 2017 in England, for £2.5 million.[6]

Landaulets like these were also notably used by the German government, as during the 1965 state visit of Queen Elizabeth II. The Vatican, in addition to an elongated Mercedes 300d 4-door landaulet, used for the Pope a specially designed Mercedes 600 4-door landaulet, which now resides at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Production of the landaulet versions of the 600 ended in 1980.

Mercedes also made two special 600 coupés: one as a gift for retiring long-time Mercedes chief designer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and the other for Fritz Nallinger, head of the Mercedes research and development centre in the 1950s and 60s. These cars had a wheelbase 22 cm (8.6 inches) shorter than the SWB saloon. A single example of a SWB 4-door landaulet, combining the handling of a short-wheelbase with the qualities of a landaulet, was built by Mercedes in 1967 for former racing driver Philipp Constantin von Berckheim.

Mechanical

The 600's great size, weight, and numerous hydraulically driven amenities required more power than Mercedes' largest engine at that time, the 3-litre 6-cylinder M189, could produce. A new V8 with more than twice the capacity was developed, the 6.3 L M100. It featured single overhead camshafts (SOHC) and a Bosch-made intermittent multipoint manifold injection, and developed 2500NaN0.[7]

The 600's complex 1500NaN0 hydraulic pressure system powered the automobile's windows, seats, sun-roof, boot lid, and automatically closing doors. Adjustable air suspension delivered excellent ride quality and sure handling over any road surface.[8]

Notable owners

Famous owners of the Mercedes-Benz 600 have included the following people.

Celebrities and tycoons

Politicians and royalty

In popular culture

In cinema, the Mercedes 600 was featured in several James Bond films, most notably as transport of the villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Diamonds Are Forever. In Octopussy, the villain Kamal Khan is seen leaving Sotheby's London auction house in a 600 Pullman. Near the beginning of 1978 movie Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?, the character played by Jacqueline Bisset is abducted from Heathrow Airport in a 600 Pullman.[59]

In Red (2010 film), the character played by Morgan Freeman arrives at Alexander Dunning's house disguised as an African dictator in a Mercedes 600.

In television, a 600 was used by fictional Channing/Gioberti family matriarch Angela Channing in the American television series Falcon Crest. Images of the car driving from San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Falcon Crest vineyard were featured in the opening credits of the first four seasons. It was also prominently featured in the television show Friday the 13th.

In a Top gear challenge, Jeremy Clarkson compared his 1973 short-wheelbase 600 to James May's 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche.

There was also a Pullman version used in the movie High Anxiety by Mel Brooks.

A red 1972 Pullman was seen in .[60]

Prince Ital Joe and Marky Mark are seen driving a 600 in the music video for their single "United".

A green 600 serves as the ride for Selena Gomez through the streets of Paris in her 2013 music video for "Slow Down."[61]

Several 600s are seen in several episodes of Amazon's original series The Man in the High Castle, transporting Nazi officials.

Jack Nicholson's character drives a black 600 in The Witches of Eastwick.[62]

In , Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr arrive in a black 600.[63]

In the Crazy Rich Asians series of novels, Shang Su Yi is regularly chauffeured in a black 600 Pullman.

In The Magic Christian, Sir Guy Grand (Peter Sellers) drives a 600 Pullman.

Technical data

Technical data Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)

Mercedes-Benz600600 Pullman
Produced:  1963–1981
Engine:  6.3 L V8, front-mounted
Bore x Stroke:  103 mm x 95 mm
Displacement:  6332 cc
Max. Power (DIN 70020) @ rpm:  2500NaN0 @ 4000
Max. Torque (DIN 70020) @ rpm:  510NaN0 @ 2800
Compression Ratio:  9.00: 1
Fuel feed:  sequential manifold injection, Bosch injection pump
Fuel tank capacity:  1121NaN1
Valvetrain:  SOHC, duplex chains
Cooling:  Water
Gearbox:  4-speed automatic transmission K4B 050 · gear ratio · (1) 3.9789 · (2) 2.4589 · (3) 1.5789 · (4) 1.0000 · (R) - 4.1455
rear wheel drive · axle ratio 3.2307 (42:13)
Electrical system:  12 volt
Front suspension:  Double wishbones, air suspension, rubber springs, stabilizing bar
Rear suspension::  Low-pivot swing axle, radius arms, self-leveling air suspension, rubber springs, stabilizing bar
Brakes:  Disc brakes (Ø 291 mm two-caliper front, 294.5 mm rear), power assisted
Steering:  Recirculating ball steering, power assisted
Body structure:  Sheet steel, unibody construction
Dry weight:  26000NaN027700NaN0
Loaded weight:  30500NaN033400NaN0
Track front · rear: 1587mm · 1581mm
Wheelbase:  32001NaN139001NaN1
Length:  55401NaN162401NaN1
Width:  19501NaN119501NaN1
Height:  15001NaN115101NaN1
Tyre/Tire sizes:  9.00H15 Supersport (6PR)
Top speed:  204.8km/h 2000NaN0
Fuel Consumption (petrol, 98 RON; estimates): 
Price Germany
USA: 
DM 56,500 (1964) − DM 144,368 (1979)
$22,000 (1965)[64]
DM 63,500 (1964) − DM 165,760 (1979)
$24,000 (1965)

References

Bibliography

General

Workshop manuals

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of engineering: the Grand Mercedes 600 . 2024-08-17 . Mercedes Benz . en-GB.
  2. Web site: Mercedes-Benz 600 'Super Mercedes' (W 100), 1964 up to 1981 . media.daimler.com . 30 December 2014.
  3. Book: Koehling, Bernd. Mercedes-Benz, The 1960s, 300SE and SEC W112 with buyer's guide and chassis number, data card explanation: 300SE, SE lang, Cabriolet and Coupe. 1 December 2016. 5 June 2019.
  4. Web site: Six Luxury Cars. Car and Driver Magazine. 31. July 1965. 5 June 2019.
  5. News: Mercedes-Benz S-Class.. 2014-12-17. mercedes-benz.com. 2017-05-20. en-US.
  6. Web site: Stock . Tom Hartley Jnr . 2018-09-23.
  7. Werner Oswald (ed.): Deutsche Autos 1945-1975, 4th edition, Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1979,, p. 251
  8. Web site: Mercedes Air Suspension . Martin . Werminghausen . Mercedes Air Suspension Solutions . 11 February 2014 . 18 June 2016.
  9. Web site: Onassis' Mercedes to Be Auctioned Off Along With Dreams of Better Times GreekReporter.com . greece.greekreporter.com . 17 October 2016 . 30 June 2018.
  10. See Book: Midnight Mover: Autobiography . Bobby Womack . Womack . Bobby . Ashton . Robert . John Blake Publishing . 2006 . We rode a couple of blocks while she fixed a tune in her head and then started singing. A line just spilled out. 'Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz. 'My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170847/http://panachereport.com/channels/old_school_update/BobbyJanis.htm . March 3, 2016.
  11. Web site: David Bowie remembers Berlin: "I can't express the feeling of freedom I felt there" - Page 3 of 12 - Uncut . Uncut . 25 September 2018 . 6 January 2017.
  12. Web site: Gerard . Jasper . Classic Mercedes 600 - as owned by Elvis Presley . Telegraph . 2010-12-10 . 2018-09-23.
  13. Web site: Elvis Presley's 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Sells for $187,390. 13 December 2010 .
  14. Book: Esch . Rudi . Electri_City: The Düsseldorf School of Electronic Music . 2016 . Omnibus Press . 9781783237760 . 25 September 2018 . en.
  15. Web site: Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's car collection: This Mercedes-Benz was his prized possession . The Financial Express . 21 January 2020 . 28 September 2017.
  16. Web site: Lennon Auction Runs Out of Gas. ABC News. 14 May 2018. en. 6 January 2006.
  17. Jay Kay's multi-million pound car collection . 2 January 2009 . 9 July 2012 . Autotrader . Jay's Merc 600 boasts a history as impressive as the car’s looks – it was previously owned by none other than Coco Chanel . Vijay . Pattni . https://web.archive.org/web/20120502123505/http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/jay_kays_multi_million_pound_car_collection.html . 2 May 2012.
  18. Web site: Jack Nicholson's Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosse Stands In . Petrolicious . 30 June 2018 . en . 3 February 2015.
  19. Book: Walker . Michael . What you want is in the limo : on the road with Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, and the Who in 1973, the year the sixties died and the modern rock star was born . 23 July 2013 . 978-0812992885 . 241. Random House Publishing .
  20. Web site: Derek's car is a real Starr! . Lancashire Telegraph . 30 November 1995 . 21 January 2020 . en.
  21. Web site: Ex-Roy Orbison Mercedes-Benz 600 Hits the Auction Block with Vintage VIP Status . 2 February 2021 .
  22. Book: Oppenheimer . Jerry . Crazy Rich: Power, Scandal, and Tragedy Inside the Johnson & Johnson Dynasty . 2013 . St. Martin's Press . 9781250010933 . 230 . registration . Mercedes-Benz 600. . 26 August 2018 . en.
  23. Web site: รถยนต์พระที่นั่งในพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช. Praew (แพรว) – All Luxe You Can Reach. 27 April 2018. 20 October 2016.
  24. Web site: 4 Koleksi Mobil BJ Habibie, Langka dan Mewah. moladin.com . 11 September 2023 . id . November 5, 2020.
  25. News: 二十世纪豪车极品-奔驰600系列 . 诗香雅韵 . 29 July 2007.
  26. Web site: Syombua. Pauline. Checkout the classic Ksh 19.4 million bulletproof ride the former president Moi used to roll around in - Ghafla!. www.ghafla.com. 7 March 2017. 27 April 2018.
  27. Book: DTIC ADA337717: Sub-Saharan Africa Report . 1985 . Defense Technical Information Center . 33 . 26 August 2018 . en.
  28. Web site: Veturat me të cilat udhëtonte Enver Hoxha, historia e modelit Mercedes 600 . KOHA.net . 24 October 2018 . sq-AL . 2 October 2018.
  29. Web site: Jones . Matt . Why did so many evil men love the Mercedes 600? . 24 October 2018.
  30. Top Gear: Grosse vs. Corniche old car challenge, Top Gear, season 11 episode 5, BBC August 2009
  31. The Death and Legacy of Papa Doc Duvalier . Time . 24 August 2018 . 17 January 2011.
  32. News: Georges Pompidou And Francois Tombalbaye . 24 August 2018 . Getty Images.
  33. News: Three Bid on Marcos Mercedes . 27 August 2018 . Associated Press . 4 December 1986.
  34. Web site: Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman 1967 . Classic Cars For Sale . 18 June 2016.
  35. Book: Classic & Performance Car Africa October/November 2014 . 8 December 2014 . 35 . en.
  36. Top Gear: Grosse vs. Corniche old car challenge, Top Gear, season 11 episode 5, BBC August 2009
  37. Web site: Mercedes-Benz 600, la limousine officielle de plusieurs grands leaders, notamment Habib Bourguiba . businessnews.com.tn . 27 August 2018.
  38. News: Prunkkarosse für Präsidenten, Popstars und Päpste: Tradition: 50 Jahre Mercedes-Benz 600 - WELT . Die Welt . Welt.de . 2013-03-13 . 2018-09-23.
  39. News: King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz (L) of Saudi Ar . 24 August 2018 . Getty Images.
  40. Web site: How African leaders spend our money The Spectator. The Spectator. 11 February 2018.
  41. Web site: Titov Pullman ponovo na prodaju . Autoslavia . 20 November 2016 . 30 June 2018.
  42. Web site: Rare Mercedes 600 Presidential Landaulet goes on sale in Derbyshire . Car Dealer Magazine . 2016-11-03 . 2018-09-23.
  43. Web site: Central African Republic Bangui Jean-Bedel Bokassa Coronation . AP Images . 24 August 2018.
  44. Web site: Schultz . Jonathan . What Becomes of the Cars of Deposed Leaders? . Wheels Blog . 19 January 2011 . 24 August 2018 . en.
  45. News: Mit "Harambee" und Fliegenwedel . Die Zeit . 13 October 1967 . 27 August 2018 . de.
  46. Web site: Teknikens Värld . Unik Mercedes 600 Landaulet till salu – Teknikens Värld . 17 May 2016 . Teknikensvarld.se . 2018-09-23.
  47. News: Kim Jong-un 'Loves Nukes, Computer Games and Johnny Walker' . . English . 20 December 2010 . 18 June 2016.
  48. Web site: State Department Cable 1978-115429 . 26 August 2018 . en . 1978.
  49. Web site: Les plus belles voitures du roi Mohammed VI . Al HuffPost Maghreb . 30 June 2018 . fr-MG . 21 September 2016.
  50. Web site: JACQUES CHIRAC IN THE IVORY COAST AND GABON . Getty Images . 17 September 2016 . 7 September 2018.
  51. News: Preston . Benjamin . The Vehicular Side of the Vatican . The New York Times . 22 March 2013 . 30 June 2018 . en.
  52. Web site: President Park chung-hee Memorial Foundation . www.presidentparkchunghee.org . 7 September 2018.
  53. Web site: Queman valiosa colección de vehículos de escobar. 18 February 1993. 6 April 2021.
  54. Web site: Saddam Hussein's Mercedes-Benz 600 Landaulet Is Amazing And Spooky . Zac . Estrada . Jalopnik . 10 March 2013 . 8 October 2021.
  55. Arrivederci, Berlusconi. Vanity Fair. January 1995. 25 July 2022.
  56. Web site: Bir devrin efsane arabaları yeniden ortaya çıkıyor!. MİLLİYET HABER - TÜRKİYE'NİN HABER SİTESİ. June 2017 . 27 April 2018.
  57. Web site: Simeon Ivanov . Bulgarian Avtoklasika magazine, issue 16, November 2004 . Avtoklasika.com . 2018-09-23.
  58. News: Pakistan's only Pullman 600 Grosse - a car used by Former President Zia-ul-Haq and PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto - PakWheels Blog. 2018-07-23. PakWheels Blog. 2018-08-31. en-US.
  59. Web site: Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman in "Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?".
  60. Web site: Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman in "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement".
  61. Web site: Selena Gomez - Slow Down (Official) . . 19 July 2013 .
  62. Web site: Mercedes-Benz 600 in Film . imcdb . 10 April 2024.
  63. Web site: Mercedes-Benz 600 in Film . imcdb . 8 February 2021.
  64. Book: Covello, Mike . Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002 . Krause Publication . Iola . 2002 . 0-87341-605-8 . 533.