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450 SEL (special protection version)

Started by PzGren, 28 June 2011, 03:24 PM

PzGren

Hello all,

This past week I picked up an armored 1977 450 SEL.  It has bulletproof windows and the entire car is lined with Kevlar. It has some other interesting options such as a mount for a fender flag pole and a rear sunroof. I would bet that it's not a factory conversion but I have no idea what company armored this w116. As for the condition of the car, it has a lot of rust on one of the doors and the trunk area but the floors and most parts of the body aren't too bad. The engine runs but wont stay running. It's an interesting car and I hope you guys know a bit more about it than I do. I also own a 1973 450 SE and a 1980 300 SD so I have knowledge as far as standard W116's go but I've never seen one like this. I'll post pics as soon as I can. The car is Dark Blue Metallic (904) and has black leather interior (which could use replacing).

Thanks-

jsalova

Sounds great, very rare piece of history!
Crayford and Armalite UK produced W116 protection versions, there may be other builders too.

PzGren





I forgot to mention that it is equipped with hydropneumatic suspension.

1980sdga

#3
That is amazing!  Is the glass thicker and does it effect how the windows roll up and down?  

The flag holder is epic!

I read a book once (Don't remember what book, I just remember the scene) where a character knew a MB was armored by the sound it made going over a curb  8)  Just needs tint in the back windows!

PzGren

Quote from: 1980sdga on 28 June 2011, 09:53 PM
That is amazing!  Is the glass thicker and does it effect how the windows roll up and down?  

The flag holder is epic!

I read a book once (Don't remember what book, I just remember the scene) where a character knew a MB was armored by the sound it made going over a curb  8)  Just needs tint in the back windows!
Yes, the glass is 1.5 in thick and the windows don't go up and down, they are held into the door. The space where the window motors should be is filled with more Kevlar. Luckily the AC blows cold and works well.  :)

I would love to tint the windows, hopefully it will hide all the cosmetic imperfections in the glass and the air bubbles trapped in between layers.


calvin streeting

Quote from: PzGren on 29 June 2011, 02:28 AM
I would love to tint the windows, hopefully it will hide all the cosmetic imperfections in the glass and the air bubbles trapped in between layers.

you could use black paint on the outside of the windows :)...

Serisoly I am so jealous you have the flag poles... go to get me some of those at some point...

Big_Richard

Quote from: calvin streeting on 29 June 2011, 02:31 AM


Serisoly I am so jealous you have the flag poles... go to get me some of those at some point...

last time i checked they were still available new and not that expensive.

they are installed by drilling a hole in the fender though, so not my cup of tea.

Casey

What a neat car - you're so lucky to have it.  It's a shame it hasn't been maintained better - I guess not everyone values such things.  Are you planning on restoring the vehicle?

Big_Richard

the armoring, the rear sunroof and the flag mounts indicate to me that this was a diplomatic car.

do you know where the car was delivered to ? its clearly not a USA car.

Be interesting to know who the person was who owned it first. May very well of been an enemy of the USA hence the lack of maintenance  8)

s class

Quote from: Major Tom 6.9 on 29 June 2011, 06:23 PM
the armoring, the rear sunroof and the flag mounts indicate to me that this was a diplomatic car.

do you know where the car was delivered to ? its clearly not a USA car.

Yes, the oil cooler indicates that it is a euro spec high compression engine. 


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

john6007

It's supprising where such cars can turn up, near Perth (Australia) I've been in an Armour Plated Landcruiser (all glass, doors below glass, floor, rear section etc) , Left Hand Drive, weighed about a Ton more than the stock version and handled like a pig, did not get a chance to look at the compliance plate but a LHD Cruiser in OZ is also not normal. Agree with MT6.9, the 450 is likely to have been on diplomatic duty
79 - 450SEL 6.9 #5628 &  #6466, 92 - 300CE-24, 98 - MX-5, 89 - Ducati 906 Paso

Big_Richard

Quote from: s class on 30 June 2011, 02:14 AM
Quote from: Major Tom 6.9 on 29 June 2011, 06:23 PM
the armoring, the rear sunroof and the flag mounts indicate to me that this was a diplomatic car.

do you know where the car was delivered to ? its clearly not a USA car.

Yes, the oil cooler indicates that it is a euro spec high compression engine. 

Not only that, but i saw a hot water tap on the firewall. this aint on USA cars other than the ultra early ones.

wbrian63

The security nazi's here at work block pictures from tinypic, so I have to resort to using my phone to view the images.

Maj Tom - what's this hot water tap on the firewall thing?

Also - what's the white tank at the radiator on the driver's side?

As for the sunroof - which direction does it slide - forwards or backwards?

Neat car.
W. Brian Fogarty

'12 S550 (W221)
'76 450SEL 6.9 Euro #521
'02 S55 AMG (W220) - sold
'76 450SEL 6.9 Euro #1164 - parted out

"Bond reflected that good Americans were fine people, and most of them seemed to come from Texas..." Casino Royale, Chapter V

1980sdga

I'd like to see some close up pics of the window glass. I've always been fascinated with the idea of armored cars.

You should really start your own country now. You just need some stamps and a driver...

dsantamans

It's an Armalite Ltd armoured car, like my two 6.9 and my 450 SEL.

The manual sunroof slides to the front of the car, is mounted inversely as a convential sunroof.

A very interesting car.