What is the most rare w116? Your suggestions...
Well, the 450SEL 6.9 was produced in low numbers but I would imagine that most of them have survived because they're valuable and desirable. But the 280SEL was sold in very low numbers also and they were probably valued a lot less, driven a lot more, and broken for parts much more readily.
And I think I'm right in saying that the 350SEL was superseded by the 450SEL and so the 350 was only sold for a short time, and so they're quite rare too.
I would guess that the 350SEL and the 280SEL are the rarest.
Quote from: 007 on 09 August 2013, 08:50 AM
What is the most rare w116? Your suggestions...
By raw numbers the 350SEL is the least produced version, followed by the 280SEL and the 450SEL 6.9.
As Beastie said, the economics of the market would probably make the 280SEL the most rare today - an entry level model, which probably not many in its target market cared much for long-term, and with little re-sale value in its time.
In the year and a bit I have been watching the UK, Irish and German markets very closely, I have only seen one 280SEL for sale, and two 350SEL. Six-nines are far more frequent, yet far more expensive as well (as they're considered a collectors item, unlike the other two).
And what do you think about factory armored w116? As far as I know, only 292 were built...
Quote from: 007 on 09 August 2013, 08:50 AM
What is the most rare w116? Your suggestions...
The one with no rust!
Hahahahaha!!! ;D Probably why so many were painted Milan Brown (so you couldn't see it)!!
Almost as rare is the one with the good driver's seat! ;)
Omg i have one of these rare ones with no rust!!!!!!
Too bad i is mechanically stuffed and is my parts car....
Quote from: 007 on 09 August 2013, 02:25 PM
And what do you think about factory armored w116? As far as I know, only 292 were built...
Here is an interesting listing http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C312060 - a (sold) 1975 6.9 with factory armor.
Did the windows even roll down in those cars? I suppose they must have - the ad specifies electric windows. I wonder if any of the reinforced window mechanisms are still available? That would be such an upgrade for any W116.
You are all talking about one car. Has anybody seen more advertisements with armoured w116?
The photos on the Mercedes Benz Classic Wiki show armored W116s with windows that can't roll down. Maybe all factory armored W116s were made like this?
(http://i.imgur.com/eZ8vQHs.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/6n06KxD.jpg)
As far as I know, Windows in w116 Sonderschutz could not open. Only Armalite, Ernesto Pavesi s.p.a., Crayford... Offered this function...
The oldest one? I am in Holland looking for the oldest one but have found no older W116 than my own car.
My nummer ends with 000454. (vehicle registration 13 October 1972)
Greetings Jan