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Of course that didn't come cheaply: £22,000 to be precise. This meant that many were funded by taxpayers to ferry medal-adorned and feather-hatted bigwigs to meetings. But if private buyers could afford the price, they could also fund the petrol which burned at the rate of a gallon as often as every 10 miles. Then again, they paid for the fact that M-B didn't spare any expense, with self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension, dry-sump lubrication, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, three-speed auto 'box and power steering plus air conditioning, electric windows and central locking. In just three years, 7780 of these Tarmac-munching dipsomaniacs were sold and left a tattoo of greatness on an impressive number of pollsters. Praise focuses on the combination of three factors: power, handling and refinement. Never before had a car of the 6.9's bulk and brute force handled as well or offered the same degree of comfort and space. Quite possibly Stuttgart's finest. |
Reprinted from Classic & Sports Car, April 1999 Material provided by NJ Oliva II |