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Mercedes-Benz 600 - Driving like the Pope in the big Mercedes

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Created on August 26, 2015

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

43

Daimler AG

78

Daniel Reinhard

43

Daimler AG

78

Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the big car feels more compact than it is

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - relatively simple design

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - a chauffeur-driven limousine of classic proportions

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - comfortable and air-sprung on the road

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - simply designed luxury sedan

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - simply designed luxury sedan

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - length runs - 5.54 meters long is the big Mercedes in standard version

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - plenty of space for passengers - also visible from the outside

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - around 205 km/h fast

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - three cars, three times the same engine - 300 SEL 6.3, 600 and 450 SEL 6.9

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - three cars, three times the same engine - 300 SEL 6.3, 600 and 450 SEL 6.9

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Three M 100 V-8 engines - Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes-Benz 600

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the large Mercedes and the two smaller saloons, which were also equipped with the M 100 engine

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - View from the rear, how heads of state felt

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the rear windows could also be raised and lowered hydraulically

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - 1.95 meters width creates spaciousness in the interior

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Mr. Director, would you like to get in, please ....

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Leather, wood and fine teppice in the cockpit

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Steering wheel selector lever for the four-speed automatic transmission

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Steering wheel with impact absorber

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Impact absorber for more safety

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Thermometer and clock in striped look

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - classic Becker radio

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the temperature setting of the electronic system is adjusted here

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the windows are raised and lowered hydraulically

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Wind protection with side window open

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Interior lighting

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - crumpled leather for the crew

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the 6.3 liter engine produced 250 hp

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the mighty V8 with two overhead camshafts

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Chassis badge

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - chrome-plated air intakes

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - even the rear-view mirror shows the number 100

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - additional wind protection for rear passengers

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - rear air vent

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Rear fuel filler cap

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Fuel filler cap next to the rear lamps

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - type designation on the rear

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - Type designation 600

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the star on the front

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - with the star ahead

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

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Pullman sedan

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - saloon version

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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) - with style and luxury

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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) - 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 (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 (1965) - on Lake Maggiore above Stresa

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - in the snow

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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 (1963) - in the big city

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1975) - 2677 of the "Big Mercedes" were built between 1963 and 1981

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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 (1981) - the last Type 600 left the production line on June 10, 1981

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1981) - the last Type 600 rolled off the production line on June 10, 1981

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Mercedes-BEnz 600 (1965) - Cockpit of a Pullman Landaulet variant

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Pullman Landaulet cockpit

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1968) - with optional car telephone

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Mercedes-Benz 600 Coupé (1965) - View into the cockpit

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Dashboard

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

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - the heavy V8 engine in the front of the big Mercedes

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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) - longitudinal section through the M 100 engine

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

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

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963) - Frame floor system

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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 (1967) - Pullman saloon with six doors

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

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

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - View into the cockpit of the Pullman Landaulet version of Pope Paul VI.

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Cockpit of the papal version of the Pullman Landaulet

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - the Pullman Landaulet of Pope Paul VI.

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - the rear section of the Pullman Landaulet can be opened

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - special version for Pope Paul VI.

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1964) - Pope Paul VI once sat here.

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

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

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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) - Telephone system in a Pullman Landaulet

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - built-in cassette player in a Pullman limousine

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - built-in bar in the Pullman limousine

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

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

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

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

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Rear seats of the Pullman saloon with six doors

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - Pullman Landaulet with television as an optional extra

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1980) - Welding the frame floor system

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1965) - Drawing of the dashboard for an offer to the Pope

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

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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) - Advertising - the qualities of air suspension

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - rolls off smoothly

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1967) - the large saloon sprinted from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds-_d_reinhard_Mercedes_15_223

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Summary

From 1964 to 1981, Mercedes-Benz produced the top-of-the-range 600 saloon primarily for heads of state, diplomats and prominent (and wealthy) people for whom only the best was good enough. Launched in 1963, the "Grand Mercedes" was brimming with innovative technology and luxury comfort. Even 50 years later, its qualities are still impressive. This driving report describes the Mercedes-Benz 600 and shows it in over 120 current and historical photos and illustrations as well as in the contemporary sales brochure.

This article contains the following chapters

Successor to the Adenauer
An engine for the superlative saloon
Simple elegance
Almost priceless
Enthusiastic press
Gliding instead of rushing
For those for whom only the best was good enough
Long life
Care-intensive rarities
Further information

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Mercedes-Benz 600 was as expensive as 14 VW Beetles, at least. No wonder, since the average consumer would only see it at a state reception on television or with celebrities on board on the Côte d'Azur. But the "Big Mercedes" was not only expensive, it was also a top-class technology package. There had already been a "Big Mercedes" in the 1930s, but in the 1950s the gentlemen of the world drove the Type 300, also known as the "Adenauer". As early as the mid-fifties, Fritz Nallinger and Rudolf Uhlenhaut began to tinker with a successor that would represent what was technically feasible. It was to have eight cylinders, air suspension, power steering, and so on ...

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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