For a car you typically don’t see very often, one of the world’s most luxurious and exclusive Mercedes-Benzes has been popping out of the woodwork with some regularity lately. The W100-series Mercedes, the company’s flagship car reserved for heads of state and Hollywood celebrities, is not a vehicle you bump into on the road. However, sort of like the McLaren Mustang/Capri phenomenon I’ve written about, it feels like the owners of these rare Mercedes have decided to dump their cars all at the same time. Find this 1968 Mercedes-Benz 600 sedan here on eBay for $37,500 or best offer.
The 600, also known as the Grosser, is famous for a few things, but most all you hear about is how expensive they are to restore (properly.) And they are; there’s no getting around that. Almost every major function – from the windows to the sunroof – were controlled hydraulically. The suspension is perhaps the most infamous source of pain as the self-leveling pneumatic design requires hours upon hours of labor to sort out, not to mention tracking down elusive NLA parts. While every Mercedes from this era was manufactured overseas, I suspect this one was meant to stay there owing to its European-market headlights and its period-correct rear fog light.
The major distinction in the model lineup had to do with whether you were the driver or the passenger, as the extended wheelbase models often had a partition that separated the two compartments. This is the more conventional model with its standard length and interior seating configuration, and while you could certainly enlist the help of a chauffeur if desired, it was more typical to see this model driven by its owner. The interior, in addition to the aforementioned functions, is also costly to restore due to the extensive wood trim and leather surfaces that should be replaced with authentic materials if you wish to achieve maximum return for your restoration investment. However, the seller claims the wood trim in his example is surviving nicely. Looking closely, the dash trim looks decent but the trim atop the door panels is weathered.
The most interesting detail the seller offers about this particular car is that it apparently belonged to the Kellogg’s family, those titans of breakfast food. The 600 was their means of conveyance between home and office before it changed hands and eventually ended up neglected. Fortunately, the neglect was not too extensive, as the beefy M100 V8 still spins over freely and actually fired up with an exterior fuel source hooked up. The seller notes that the finicky suspension is “blocked up” and that any rust on the car is minimal. This looks like an excellent starting point for a 600 project, and the Buy-It-Now seems reasonable.
The perfect ride for the dictator in your life, foreign or domestic.
If I didn’t just buy a vintage Mercedes this would be a great project. Scary hydraulic operations like windows could be costly. Good luck to the lucky buyer.
I thought “grosser” referred to the asking price. As it is, this car will need its share of work and bucks invested. If I had the scratch, I’d buy it, restore it along with installing bullet-proof glass, and run for office.
The very definition of the term “endless money pit”.
Interesting-looking vans at the far end of the car park; I have no idea what they are, though.
Some of the more entertaining MB 600 W100 items on eBay:
NOS driver’s door: $10,816/offer
Interior wood kid: $9195
NOS trunk weatherstrip: $8000
Used Grille shell: $4500
NOS Steering wheel (ivory): $4219
Used Trunk tool kit: $3800
Used OEM Becker stereo with rear remote controls: $3100
I think I know what you are implying. The sum of its parts are worth more than the whole. A great car like this is definitely worth saving. The question is who is going to step up the financial challenge? There are many with the resources it’s just a matter of advertising to find that buyer. Im sure the likes of Jay Leno cruise the car classifieds see something like this and call up a friend.
Yowza! Quite the eBay bargains. 😳
Any trunk lids available?
(Perhaps you see why I ask)
Hydraulic windows and their controls, seats (front and back), sunroof, trunk lid, cowel vent, suspension and of course twin caliper brakes. If you think these might be expensive, you shouldn’t even consider owning these.
Whenever I read a John LeCarre book I picture the bad guys going to see George Smiley driving one of these with two henchmen in the front wearing long black leather coats.
A friend had one of these 30 yrs. ago,I helped him replace airbag suspension.He said it had M-B biggest motor ever.7.? or 8.? Liter. Anyone know the size?
6.3l, iirc.
Many yeras ago, I was touring a local junk yard and found a “Grosser”. The body was in at least as good condition as this one. The interior was much better. The hood was open and, BEHOLD… someone had replaced the engine with a Chevy small block! My first question was “WTF??” My second question was “WHY??” (probably cost of repair). The manager suggested a cheap price and told me it was an unfinished project that had never run. I said Nah! and kept going.
I shan’t think of the sheer fortune that would be required to put this back in the condition it deserves. I’ll stick with collecting rolexes and pateks. they nearly guarantee a return, this behemoth does not.
C’mon everyone! Kellogg’s? Cereal jokes? “This car is grrrrreeeeaaaat!” Anyone? Please?
I think some of the fuses and light bulbs are under $1k for these cars?
Saturday, a fella came to look at a 220 fin car here that’s about to go to the shredder. He told me that a used wiper motor for a car like this car just sold for $700. It had been parted out years ago, very rusty but I think we’ll grab some parts before it leaves.
When I was in high school, I dreamed of owning one of these when I became rich and famous. Now nearing 70, I’m comfortable and fortunately not famous nor infamous…but the reality of the maintenance costs for the 600 would have changed my dream into a nightmare.
Years ago a friend of mine who had a ’62 300SL Roadster warned me about the hydraulic system on the 600. He said if one noticed the hydraulic fluid reservoir level decreasing, one should open and “shake” each of the four (or six) doors and “listen” for the sound of hydraulic fluid sloshing to and fro…then one could isolate which check valve was faulty.
I saw a 600 at an auction that had a oil puddle under the glove box (cowel vent).
Here is a #4 or #5 condition MB 600 that would only be good for parts in this shape. EVERYTHING would need rebuilding, air bags being the least expensive. The hydraulics cost the most, then the mechanical fuel injection pump, body, upholstery, rust repair. Way overpriced for just parts. If you want one, find one that runs and has decent body and upholstery, then spend a lot more. Once it is in nice #2 condition, spend more for upkeep. Multi-millionaires or billionaires will pay others for the prestige of ownership.
it sold.
Happy it sold! Now I can tell my wife I saved over $37,000 today!