We see sellers looking for trades every week, but most of the time it’s for a reasonably priced Camaro or a short-bed pickup truck. The caretaker of this grand 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 is also open to a trade but for what? I can’t think of too many cars that would be an ideal swap candidate, as very few cars are as regal and exclusive as a vintage W100 sedan. This long wheelbase model was the car of movie stars and heads of state when it was new and is still in rarefied company today. Find it here on craigslist with no price listed.
The 600 series was Mercedes top-of-the-line offering back in the 70s, and was a precursor to the modern Maybach line. The short wheelbase car shown here was intended to be owner-driven, while the long-wheelbase limousine came equipped with a center divider for the purpose of hiring a driver. Whichever one you choose, the upkeep costs are intense, and this seller acknowledges spending $70,000 over the last few years in general maintenance. Weak spots include the hydropneumatic suspension and rust, while the engines and transmissions tend to be fairly robust even in a neglected car.
Of course, neglect is rare with a car like this given the values they command on the specialty car market. The trouble is there’s no gray area – these roomy sedans are either completely wrecked or restored with a seemingly limitless budget. This 600 doesn’t have the vibe of being restored but rather looked after since it was new. The wood trim on the dash – a pricey area to refurbish – is in excellent condition, and the same goes for the carpets, hoholsery, and headliner. Other photos show the original tool kit and California blue plates still remain with the 600.
And you get lovely details like these privacy curtains and rear headrests. But let’s not forget one of the most legendary features of all: the torquey M100 V8. Even by 1960s standards, the M100 was a beast of a motor, and it made high-speed interstate cruising a breeze in a car this size. It was good for a robust 250 horsepower and close to 400 lb.-ft. of torque. The seller notes that his car was ordered new by a customer in Beverly Hills, so it’s been a California car since birth, which means rust is a far smaller concern than on cars that have resided near winter and road salt. A high price to pay but if you’ve got a luxury car that’s just as compelling, perhaps a trade can be made. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the find.
Billy Ray Valentine and Louis Winthrope III enters the chat
I have a much newer Mercedes that I would trade even up, and it’s even easier to park. 2003 C320 Sport Coupe, Ya that’s the ticket! And believe it or not I bought “Miss Hades” for $283.00
Jack, you really don’t want this car! About 20 years ago I made the mistake of buying a well-used 300 SEL 6.3 with the same engine as the 600. I replaced the air bag suspension myself at just $1000 in parts back then, but the massive mechanical fuel injection pump was leaking. It sits in the engine valley, not an inexpensive fix. The car fan well otherwise, took premium fuel of course, but did not sip it. I do like the 5-cylinder turbo diesel engine cars from the 80’s, much more efficient and they run “forever”.
I would try to locate a Studebaker “Dictator” model nameplate and then I would install it on the trunk lid.
Ha! I too expect to see flags on the front fenders and some 3rd( or 4th) world dictator waving to the downtrodden subjects,,,dictators of note that had these, the then most expensive car on earth at the time:
Idi Amin, Mao Tse Tung, Leonid Brezhnev, Saddam Hussein, Castro, and oddly, Trump has had a couple.
Just demonstrating “Buy American”.
Nothing odd about that.
That last person owning them makes perfect sense to me.
I thought that they had committed to stop making cents, perfect or otherwise.
Sorry, my one owner 1930 Studebaker Dictator 6 that I purchased in 1958 had no “Dictator” nameplate. BTW, the original bill of sale was longer than a modern real estate deed and mortgage combined.
Jay Leno has a great video about these. Everything is hydraulic…power windows, trunk lid closer…on and on. Hard to think of anything that’s a worthy trade.
I saw that video a few days ago. He was gushing about the car the whole time, deservedly so. Being wealthy, patient and with first-rate facilities make him the ideal owner for such a world class ride.
You would be amazed at where these cars can leak oil. Lol.
I believe the hydraulic system only controlled the comfort systems as above mentioned however the suspension was handled by air as witnessed by the large air compressor on the drivers side of the engine. Hard to believe these tipped the scales at over 3 tons! Just think the largest Cadillac of the time was close to 5000 pounds. So this had to be the heaviest sedan in production for the period.
I remember them using/damaging one of these in the movie, “Witches of Eastwick” with Jack Nicholson inside.
Gary, you said it first, “The Witches of Eastwick”, with Jack Nicholson being the devil or maybe just a demon. His chauffer was about 7 feet tall and drove with his head out thru the sunroof. Good movie with a funny ending. I don’t remember the car getting damaged, will need to watch again.
Two observations:
1) I really like the way they secured the spare in the trunk.
2) Cannot imagine the driver of this car needing the supplied tool kit!
As an original US-spec car on California blue plates, I’d like to know who the original owner was. Not somebody who could have you “disappeared” but certainly someone who could Make You A Star, or alternately Make Sure You Never Work In This Town Again.
Thought…it’s one foolish car Tyler Hoovie hasn’t bought and had the Car Wizard fix. Will he rise to the opportunity?
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When I look at this MB 600 I automatically think of that gorgeous midnight blue 600 Bill Murray drove in Ground Hog Day. Nothing but elegance.
Old mate , Ed Kozyrski R.I.P. , his dad , Roman , had 2 of these , a dark blue one & don’t remember colour of the other , Ed chauffeured Sammy Davis Jnr in one of them when he visited Perth , Western Australia
If u have the coin and the facilities to maintain it, what a statement it would make driving around amidst all the ridiculously overpriced Rivian, Teslas , Lambos etc. I personally would want a midget to chauffeur me and an open passenger compartment with a throne raised above the roof line like the Pope’s had before the G Wagon Pope mobiles., Or I would be just as happy with a Corgi model :)