From the Kaiserwagen to the new 600 - a (historical) comparison of the Mercedes-Benz 600

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From the Kaiserwagen to the new 600 - a (historical) comparison of the Mercedes-Benz 600

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Created in 1963

Text:

Hans-Günther Wolf

Photos:

Daimler AG

85

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

4

hobby

3

Archiv

19

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - with style and luxury

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Mercedes Benz 600 (1964) - with air suspension and height adjustment - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - bird's eye view

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - A bird's eye view of the six-door model

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - A version of the Pullman saloon with space for eight people

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - Dashboard and the internal telephone

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - All Inclusive

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Mercedes 600 (1963) - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1963 - imposing state coach

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Mercedes 600 (1969) - with additional comforts such as stereo radio and air conditioning - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1969

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Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3 (1968) - V-engine with eight cylinders from the Mercedes 600 - room packed to the brim, but service work still easy to carry out

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - the 'Great Mercedes' in its traditional surroundings

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - Transparency drawing

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SE (1964) - on the left the 300 SE, on the right the big Mercedes 600

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SE (1964) - automotive superlatives *300 SE" and "600" in a short test in Geneva

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Mercedes Benz 600 (1964) - Shielding when you don't want to be seen - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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Mercedes Benz 600 (1964) - every conceivable comfort for rear-seat passengers - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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Mercedes Benz 600 (1964) - imposing without effect details - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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Mercedes Benz 600 (1964) - plenty of space in the rear of the state limousine - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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Mercedes Benz 600 (1964) - Contrasts create interesting exhibition effects - next to the Daimler steel-wheeled car from 1889 - Tradition is already celebrated in 1964 - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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Mercedes Benz 600 (1964) - shown for the first time in Geneva - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - shorter version, went into series production in 1964 - Geneva Motor Show 1965

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - presented without ornamental decoration in front of illuminated wall - Geneva Motor Show 1965

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Mercedes-Benz 600 Coupé (1965) - with wheelbase shortened by 20 cm

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Mercedes-Benz 600 Coupé (1965) - built only once

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - a visionary vehicle at the time of its presentation

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Mercedes-BEnz 600 (1963) - driving dynamics memorably demonstrated

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - for a stylish appearance

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - normal saloon behind extended Pullman saloon

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Limousines in comparison - W 110 on the right, 600 Limousine and Pullman Limousine next to it63147-4

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - with special luggage set

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - standard version

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Pullman limousine with Eifelland caravan

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Pullman saloon with four doors

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Pullman sedan in front of indirect ancestor

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Pullman sedan

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - simple design

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - in front of the Nôtre Dame Cathedral in Paris

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - the papal Pullman Landaulet variant with four doors by Paul VI

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - standard version of the Pullman Landaulet variant with four doors and communicative arrangement of the two bench seats in the rear

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - on Lake Maggiore above Stresa

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Landaulet version

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Landaulet version

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - this Pullman Landaulet variant served as Pope John XXIII's official car

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Pullman Landaulet for the Pope

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - pullman sedan

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Pullman saloon with four doors

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - Pullman Landaulet variant during shipment in the port of the Sultanate of Brunei

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1970) - Pullman saloon in special protection version

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1970) - Pullman saloon in special protection version

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - View into the engine compartment

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - A look inside the glove compartment

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - see-through drawing reveals the high level of state-of-the-art technology at the time

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - the manufacturer's first series-production V8 - see-through drawing

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Rear wheel suspension on single-steer swing axle

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - hydraulic window operation

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - ideal for driving ahead

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - in the big city

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Interior of the saloon with hydraulically adjustable seats

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - longitudinal section through the M 100 engine

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - with built-in refreshment bar

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Cross-sectional drawing of the M 100 engine

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Frame floor system

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - front view of the powerful V8 engine

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - four-door variant of the Pullman Landaulet

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Presentation of the car at the IAA Frankfurt

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Advertising - the new ambassador ...

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Instruction course for buyers and drivers

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Television in the rear of a Pullman Landaulet variant

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Television set in the six-door Pullman sedan

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Comfort in the Pullman saloon

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Pullman Landaulet at the instruction course for buyers and chauffeurs

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Pullman Landaulet cockpit

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Telephone system in a Pullman Landaulet

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Advertising for America - a combination of creativity and science

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Pullman saloon with six doors

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - "Bar" special equipment

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - This 2500 kg elite car with a top speed of 205 km/h costs 74,00 francs - Geneva Motor Show 1967

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Mercedes-Benz 600 - dual-circuit servo brake system with disc brakes on all wheels

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - The braking system

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - see-through drawing, disc brakes in dual-circuit system

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Comparison of the Kaiserwagen with the 600

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Pullman (1932) - One of the six vehicles in the fleet of the Japanese Emperor Hirohito.

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 (1930) - Steering wheel and fittings

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Large Mercedes" Pullman (1930) - The Large Mercedes continues the tradition of large exceptional vehicles of the absolute international top class

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Large Mercedes" Pullman (1930) - The top variant

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" (1931) - The design of the 770 "Big Mercedes" underwent major changes during the production period.

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" (1930) - A company from the Rhineland orders three 770 "Big Mercedes" at once, waiting to be picked up here at the Sindelfingen plant.

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Grand Mercedes" touring car (1931) - The open-top touring car

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Grand Mercedes" touring car (1935) - The open-top touring car

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Cabriolet F (1937) - Giant convertible

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" (1938) - The chassis

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Large Mercedes" touring car (1938) - The touring car with closed top

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" (1938) - Chassis

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Grosser Mercedes" Cabriolet F (1938) - The Cabriolet F was built from 1938 to 1940

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Cabriolet D (1939) - The Cabriolet D was built from 1938 to 1940

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Grosser Mercedes" Cabriolet F (1938) - The Cabriolet F was built from 1938 to 1940

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Pullman (1938) - For heads of state and top earners

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Large Mercedes" touring car (1940) - For long journeys

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Cabriolet B (1940) - The shorter version of the convertible

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" (1932) - Imperial car in Japan

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Grosser Mercedes" Pullman (1938) - With shot wheel arches

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Grosser Mercedes" Cabriolet F (1930) - Also a state coach, recognizable by the two flags at the front

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Cabriolet D (1932) - With a coat of arms on the side

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Grosser Mercedes" Cabriolet F (1931) - Car of Wilhelm II, German Emperor

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Cabriolet D (1931) - The Cabriolet D of the Type 770

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 Pullman "Big Mercedes" (1931) - One of the vehicles of the Japanese Emperor Hirohito.

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" Cabriolet D (1930) - The chassis

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Mercedes-Benz Type 770 "Big Mercedes" (1931) - The touring car

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Summary

The "big Mercedes", or today the S-Class, has always been a glimpse of the future of the automobile. If you want to know what will be installed in the mid-size class in five years' time, and a little later in small cars too, all you have to do is take a look at the latest generation of the S-Class. In 1963, the magazine 'hobby' did just that and tested the "big Mercedes", but also looked back at its predecessors before the war. This article reproduces the wording of the test report at the time and shows the Mercedes-Benz 600 and its predecessors in many historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

No imitators
1963: Comfort to the power of three
No need for superlatives to be superior
State cars from Mercedes, Rolls-Royce and Cadillac in comparison
Racer
Really cool
A taste of the future
1930: The emperor's most beautiful carriage
1937: For kings and dictators
Direct comparison of the technical data

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Exactly 33 years ago, our fathers marveled at a car called the "Big Mercedes", which all car fans of that time considered to be the ultimate in automobile construction from 1930. We were inevitably reminded of this event when we had our first opportunity to drive the 1963 "Grand Mercedes". But we wouldn't be hobby testers if we had left it at just a memory instead of seizing the good opportunity to take the "Kaiserwagen" from 1930 and the famous "Big Mercedes" from 1937 out of the Daimler-Benz Museum for a few hours. The rendezvous with the "old-timers" saved us from the misconception that the Mercedes 600 was an imitation of a Cadillac or Rolls Royce. The new "big Mercedes" is also an old Daimler-Benz tradition. The fact that the "big one" simply outdid the Americans, despite their lead in the construction of huge steamers with all the finesses of automation, is a surprise and yet again not a surprise, because the 300 SE already anticipated a great deal of what makes the 600 the most modern car of today: air suspension, disc brakes, automatic transmission, fuel injection . . . all of which the 300 SE has had for a long time.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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