Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 (1967 - 1972)
The 300SEL 6.3 was a hit from the day it was first revealed in summer 1966. And it was not long term strategic planning, which was behind its introduction at the end of 1967. It was actually frustration among some Daimler-Benz engineers that journalists, in the mid 1960s, saw their employer just as a manufacturer of cars for farmers, executives and retirees. As there was no initial budget for this new Benz, it was developed without the knowledge of top brass. It was a mixture of the 600, from whom it received the power plant and the 300SEL, the donor of the body and frame. Both these vehicles were regarded as great cars, but the 600 was for most European customers (and governments) too big and the 300SEL not powerful enough for its price tag.
Although the sales department did initially not believe in a commercial success, the 300SEL 6.3 filled the niche it had created, most successfully. It was not as big as the 600 and it was not as slow as the 300SEL either. Driving the 6.3 meant to enter a different world and it was no wonder that magazines such as Road&Track saw in it simply the best car in the world.
With 250 hp at 4,000 rpm, a compression ratio of 1:9.0 and a max. torque of 51 mkp (368.9 ft-lbs) at just 2,800 rpm, the engine offered plenty of grunt to be content with. Average fuel consumption was around 21 l/100km (11.2 m/g), but most journalists easily managed to bring that figure to some 30 l/100km (7.8 m/g). Despite its dry weight of 1,830 kg (4,000 lbs), it could accelerate in 7.4 seconds from 0-100 km/h (faster than a Porsche 911S and a Ferrari 330GTC) and it achieved a top speed of 121 km/h (137 m/h).
The car's interior was lavishly appointed for a Mercedes-Benz at that time. It offered power windows, vacuum-controlled central locks, a rev counter and velours upholstery. leather seats were optional. The Benz offered a surprisingly smooth operation over a wide rev band and would not bother to cruise at high speeds for hours, if your wallet was up to it. The wood on the dashboard and window surrounds was now burr walnut and other wood veneer options such as macassar ebony could be ordered. It had a limited slip differential and at the front US-style headlights with halogen bulbs. These headlights quickly became synonymous with the 6.3, as they offered plenty of prestige on a German autobahn.
In Germany the 300SEL 6.3 was offered at 39,160 DM ($9,790.-), which was definitely not cheap. While the car cost $15,120.- in the US, it was even more expensive in the UK. It cost almost 7,700.- GBP ($18,500.- ), once the taxes had been factored in. But compared to a Maserati Quattroporte or even a Bentley T, that price looked reasonable again, even when options such as leather and sunroof had been added. The Jaguar XJ12 was no competitor, as it was only introduced in 1972. In 1971 the 6.3 was replaced in North America first with the 3.5 l and one year later the 4.5 l. In Europe and the rest of the world, it was sold till 1972. Despite initial fears, the 6.3 proved to be remarkably successful, as 6,526 cars found a buyer.
Bernd S. Koehling
The author grew up in the 1950s and 1960s in Northern Germany. Vintage cars are his lifelong passion. It started with visits to the Nürburgring with his father, when he was a kid. From the mid 1970s he started collecting vintage cars himself. His second passion is writing. He is the author of books and e-books about vintage Mercedes-Benz cars.
http://www.benz-books.com/
If you look for more detailed information about the history of Mercedes or the pagoda SL models and want to know how it was to own that car back in the 1960s or in case you want to read about other great vintage Mercedes Benz cars, please visit the author's website. You will love it.
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