My 1978 Mercedes 450SE is an S-Class of the W116 range (1972-1980). The W116 was the first car referred to the S-Class by Mercedes-Benz, although previous models like the W108 still filled that spot in the line up. The 450SE is a short wheelbase model equipped with the M117 overhead cam V8 engine. The iron block 450 v8 and its associated 722.0 three speed transmission have a reputation for longevity and durability.
In 1978, the 450SE was a very expensive car in Australia, with a list price of $46,383. It would also be the last time until the W221 that Mercedes-Benz would offer the short wheelbase with the larger of the standard v8s. The W126 was launched without a short wheelbase v8, and it was only added for some model year (83-85 & 90-91).
For more details about the W116 in Australia, please see this article.
About this car
This 450SE was purchased new by Mrs Elizabeth D. Barry, of Toorak Victoria. Mrs Barry took delivery of her new car on 11 December 1978 from Lanes Motors, registered AIY-939. The salesperson was Brian Stephenson. Mrs Barry serviced her car religiously, and it was seen by a later owner driving around Toorak and South Yarra during the 80s, always looking clean. Mrs Barry would also make regular trips to Queensland in the car, and occasionally service it up there.
In around 1987 Mrs Barry moved to East Ivanhoe, and at some point the registration was changed to LHH-999. Mrs Bary would start using an independent Mechanic in Hawthorn, and drove the car up until around 1995, when she bought a new Mercedes-Benz. At this point the 450SE had around 102,000km on the clock. She couldn’t part with the the car, so kept it and drove it only occasionally.
In around 2012, at 104,000km, Mrs Barry sold her car to her mechanic, who planned to turn it into a bash car! Thankfully, the car was spared that fate and sold to a customer of his in the Doncaster area in 2015. Having been mostly sitting for the last 20 years, the car now required extensive recommissioning. This proved too big a project for the new owner, who then sold it on, having covered 1,200km.
It was purchased a MBCV member who appreciates low mileage cars, and is a fan of the W116 in particular. He planed to recommission the car and drive it daily. At this point it had 109,417km. The car was unsafe to drive to his workshop, having a leaking water pump, leaking coolant hoses, cracked tyres and a very soft brake pedal.
The recommissioning process started, which would be extensive and time consuming. Most owners would not appreciate how much effort it takes to recommission a car that had sat for more than 20 years. Part way through that process, an earlier car with far lower mileage came up for sale. The owner then decided to purchase that car and sell this one. After the recommissioning was complete, I purchased the car with 115,338km on the clock.
Option codes
| Option Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 286 | Luggage nets to rear of front seats |
| 440 | Tempomat (Cruise control) |
| 451 | Tachometer |
| 466 | Central locking |
| 480 | Self-leveling rear suspension |
| 503 | Outside rear view mirror, on the left |
| 514 | Becker Mexico Cassette |
| 524 | Paintcoat preservation |
| 532 | Automatic Antenna |
| 586 | Behr A/C and F/R power windows |
| 599 | Heat insulating glass for side and rear |
| 613 | Lamp unit for LH traffic |
| 625 | Version for Australia |
| 668 | 662: 10l of fuel 666: Packing VE II |
| 674 | High-capacity battery, tropical version |
| 682 | Fire extinguisher |
