The ultimate post-war state limousine — Geiger and Bracq's W100, the M100 6.3 V8 and hydraulic everything.
The ultimate post-war Mercedes-Benz state limousine: unveiled at the Frankfurt IAA in September 1963 and built from September 1964 to 1981; 6.3-litre M100 V8, 250 hp, 4-speed automatic; designed by Friedrich Geiger and Paul Bracq.
Air suspension held the car at constant ride height while a high-pressure hydraulic system powered the windows, seats, boot and doors — the defining engineering signature of the car.
The definitive post-war Mercedes-Benz state limousine and the car that carried the marque's chief-of-state clientele across two decades. The M100 engine went on to power the 300 SEL 6.3 and, enlarged to 6.9, the 450 SEL 6.9; the Grosser's successor role in Mercedes' line-up was later filled by Maybach. Landaulets were favoured by heads of state, with owners including Pope Paul VI; the sole SWB Landaulet was built in 1967 for Count von Berckheim.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWB Saloon | 1964–1981 | 2,190 | 3,200 mm wheelbase. Part of a 2,677-car total (2,190 SWB Saloon + 428 LWB Pullman + 59 Landaulet). Largest deliveries USA 743, Germany 589, France 151, Great Britain 126. |
| LWB Pullman | 1964–1981 | 428 | 3,900 mm wheelbase; four- and six-door bodies. Part of a 2,677-car total. |
| Landaulet | 1965–1981 | 59 | Long-wheelbase state car; one-off SWB Landaulet built 1967 for Count von Berckheim. Part of a 2,677-car total. |
Authenticate stamped chassis and engine numbers against Mercedes-Benz Classic records. For the 600 specifically, condition of the high-pressure hydraulic system is the defining cost item; body and structural corrosion, and completeness of the limousine fitments, are the other primary concerns. Servicing is specialist-only.
Confirm body originality, panel identity and restoration standard against a Mercedes-Benz marque specialist.
Confirm continuous service history and any rebuild history for the engine, transmission and driveline against a marque specialist.
Restoration standard, originality of body and driveline, and any documented ownership record are the main value drivers.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
The 600 market splits sharply between saloons (five-to-low-six figures), Pullmans, and Landaulets (seven figures on state provenance).
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|
No recent public auction results currently meet our verification standard. We publish sale figures only from verified examples, and will update this guide as qualifying results become available.
The definitive post-war Mercedes-Benz state limousine. Hydraulic-system condition, structural integrity and completeness of fitments separate the strongest examples.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
