A Detailed Look At The Mercedes-Benz 600, The Ultimate Luxury Car For Royalties

The Mercedes-Benz 600, which debuted in the motoring world in 1963, is without a doubt one of the greatest of Daimler-Benz's postwar achievements. Here, luxury and performance are inspired by the 770 Grosser Mercedes and the 540K. Even Daimler-Benz referred to it as the "Grand Mercedes."

The 600, like its revered predecessors, was built for a select group of royal and wealthy owners, and only in small quantities. The Mercedes-Benz 600 had the longest production run of any single Mercedes-Benz model, lasting 18 years from August 1963 (as a 1964 model) to June 1981. Only 2,677 cars were built during that time period, with production peaking in 1965 with 345 limousines and 63 Pullmans. The final 600, a short-wheelbase sedan, was immediately donated to the Mercedes-Benz museum.

A Brief Analysis Of The Various Models Of The Mercedes-Benz 600

The 600 series was available in four basic configurations, with one notable exception: the short-wheelbase Limousine, the longer-wheelbase Pullman Limousine (in four and six-door versions), and the similar but convertible-top Landaulet. This latter was the most uncommon and commanding. With its rear quarter roof lowered, the Landaulet was unrivaled as a parade car. The standard landaulet had four doors, vis-à-vis rear seats, and a soft-top that reached to the front edge of the rear doors. Only 59 examples were built, with 10 having a longer top.

The massive six-door Pullman Limousines, 428 of which were produced, were nearly as rare and certainly as impressive. The most were produced: 2,190 short-wheelbase four-door Limousines. The sedans and Pullman sedans in a special protection version with bulletproof glass and armor plating were even more exclusive than the Landaulets and, like these, were not included in any price list. The two-door, a massive coupe with unrivaled performance, was the least produced. Mercedes-Benz only produced two.

Regardless of body style, all 600 models were powered by a mechanically fuel-injected, overhead cam V8 with a massive swept volume of 6,330cc, or 386 cubic-inches. The M100 90-degree v-form engine had a compression ratio of 9.0:1, bore and stroke dimensions of 103 mm x 95 mm, and a maximum output of 250 DIN (300 SAE) horsepower at 4,000 rpm. Peak DIN torque was 369 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm, while SAE measured 434 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. Long admired for its supercharged straight eights, this was the German automaker's first production V8, and it was exclusively used for the 600 line until 1968, when the 300SEL 6.3 was introduced.

An Overview Of The Royalties Ultimate Luxury: The Mercedes-Benz 600

The 600 was Mercedes-Benz's most luxuriously appointed production vehicle, as well as one of the most expensive. To put the value of these cars in context, the 600 Pullman Limousine cost around $18,000 in 1963. The most recent such vehicle sold for around $82,000. The standard 600 Limousines (if the term can even be used) increased from $78,279 in 1964 to $203,244 in 1981.

In America, the most recent cars produced, a series of 15 Mercedes-Benz 600 limousines and five 600 Pullmans, cost on average more than $100,000! If one could still purchase a new 600, the cost would be significantly higher. Even the most expensive S-Class Mercedes of 2004 pales in comparison to the "Grand Mercedes," a car that simply could not be replicated at a reasonable price until DaimlerChrysler with the introduction of the Maybach in 2003, the company stepped into uncharted territory.

Throughout its history, the 600 has been the vehicle of choice for pontiffs and politicians, heads of state, captains of industry, tyrants, and royal fleets around the world. Among the notable passengers were Queen Elizabeth II, Mao Tse-tung, King Hussein, the late Shah of Iran, Marshal Tito, Prince Rainier, Idi Amin, Ferdinand Marcos, Leonid Brezhnev, Kim Il-sung, and the president of Romania. Its exclusivity enticed both heroes and villains, and as a result, the car reigned supreme (and relatively unchanged) for an incredible 18 years.

Several European governments used 600s as official state cars, and the Soviets used them for many of their embassies. Pope Paul VI, who commissioned a special Landaulet in 1966, was the most well-known user. It was available with wheelbases as long as 3.9 m (153.5"). A rear bench seat provided seating for four or six people inside.

A Dependable Luxury Car That Alluring Fashion

The cost of building the 600, according to Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Daimler-director Benz of passenger car development and father of the legendary 300 SL, was secondary. Almost every component in the cars was created specifically for that model. According to Uhlenhaut, "there is enough room for tall people; the best possible suspension; low body roll while cornering; a wide range of adjustability for all seats; well-functioning ventilation, heating, and air conditioning; silent operation of the entire car; and power assistance for all manual operations."

The engine drove two alternators, one on the left and one on the right, to help power the many auxiliary systems. The two alternators, the air-conditioning compressor, the hydraulic pump, the cooling fan, and the air compressor were all powered by five v-belts. The criteria for performance were no less stringent. The 600 would require strong body construction and interior safety measures, as well as good road-holding, precise power-assisted steering, and reliable brakes.

The vehicles were outfitted with a plethora of special convenience features, including central vacuum locking for doors and trunks, as well as a refrigerated bar. The trunk lid, power windows, the limousine divider window, the sunroof, the fuel filler door, and the Landaulet's top were all operated by hydraulics. The climate control on the 600 could be set separately for the front and back compartments.

The standard radio had a remote control unit in the back that allowed the passenger to change the stations and volume. An intercom was also installed, as were hydraulically operated front and rear seats. Thirteen interior lights kept things well illuminated, and rear and side window drapes shielded nervous occupants from the states of onlookers. Among the car's most notable innovations were remote-adjustable exterior rearview mirrors, which are now standard but were a first in 1963.

Sources: AutoEvolution, MotorBiscuit, HeaCock–Classic