Start with what the Mercedes-Benz 600 is: a 4-door Limousine (SWB) / 4-door Pullman Limousine / 6-door Pullman Limousine / Landaulet (car) / Landaulet with 6.3 , built from 1963 to 1981, in the decade that gave the world the pony car and the mid-engined supercar. What it meant takes a little longer. The shape is credited to Friedrich Geiger / Paul Bracq. 2,677 were built.
Where it came from
The Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) is a single-generation of full-size ultra-luxury limousines, made by Daimler-Benz from 1963 through 1981. Nicknamed the Grosser (Grand/Large) Mercedes after its 1930s counterpart, the Mercedes 770. It was positioned well above the subsequent 300-series in price, amenities, and status. At its launch in 1963, the Mercedes 600 was the most expensive car in the world. Its few lesser adversaries included British and American marques such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac and Lincoln's top model lines. Despite its age, the Mercedes 600 remains costly to own and maintain. It is widely regarded by automotive historians and enthusiasts as the greatest luxury automobile ever produced.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 models are well known for their ownership among celebrities, political leaders and royalty throughout the late 20th century. The 600 was notable for its advanced hydraulic systems. Ownership of a Mercedes-Benz 600 remains costly due to the vehicle's complexity and the high expense of parts and maintenance. Well-preserved examples and historically significant models can command prices of up to $3.5 million reflecting their rarity and prestige. 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. "Living legend: the Mercedes-Benz 600 is nothing but grand. With its groundbreaking engineering, this iconic vehicle has been defining automotive luxury since its first appearance in 1963."
Under the skin
The engine is 6.3 . On the scales it comes to 2990 -. Drive goes through a 4-speed automatic. The layout matters: a front engine drives the rear wheels, the classic proportion — long bonnet, cabin set back — that most people picture when they picture a sports saloon or a grand tourer. The wheelbase is SWB: 3200 mm / LWB: 3900 mm. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
In context
In the Mercedes-Benz line-up the Mercedes-Benz 600 has a clear place: it replaced the Mercedes-Benz W150 / Mercedes-Benz 770; it handed the line to the Maybach 57 and 62; the factory was Stuttgart, West Germany. The cars a buyer would have weighed it against include the Maserati Quattroporte, the Buick Riviera, the Pontiac GTO. Nearby in the Mercedes-Benz catalogue sit the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and the Mercedes-Benz C124.
Owning one today
MotorJury scores cars on the United States complaint and recall record, and the Mercedes-Benz 600 has none: too old, too rare, or never sold there. Its value today is a collector's question, decided by provenance and condition rather than by a class average.