1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 - Jay Leno's Garage
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- Опубліковано 24 січ 2015
- Jay asked, you answered, so he restored this Benzo to its original state per your request. Take a trip under the hood!
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1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage - Авто та транспорт
Jay's stories of his days at Mercedes/Rolls Royce are the best parts of his book. The best was when he had to deliver a Rolls to a customer in NJ who paid for the car in cash, stuffed in a paper bag. Jay got another Rolls at their distribution center and drove to NYC to do a set at a comedy club, he put the money bag on a piano at the club, did the set and headed back to Boston. Then at a tollbooth realized he'd left the bag of money at the club. He raced back to the club where a girl was singing onstage, the bag still on the piano. He went on the stage, took the bag and sheepishly said to the singer "Sorry...forgot my lunch."
What's the book called?
Cool)
@@daweigo6851 its called ' my struggle'
Hahaha
@@OldSkoolUncleChris 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I found a good 6.3 a few years ago after watching this. It’s my daily driver when there isn’t salt on the road- its presence in the garage is such that it essentially says “drive me now” when I go in.. Super reliable as long as the air suspension is taken care of, and when you have to work on that…as Jay said get your wallet out and find a good mechanic. Thanks Jay!
I would live to buy one.
On my wedding party 1971, my uncle from Frankfurt came to Hamburg in his new Mercedes 6.3 and he let me have it for one afternoon....unforgetable! It was the star at the wedding and everyone wanted to look and touch ! Best car they ever built!
Nice! It’s not exactly blue a beautiful car it’s also a performance beast.
a couple of years after I sold my 6.3, I took'over a 280 SE 3.5, the same car without the air suspension and the first v8 engine.That's when I realized why the 6.3 was really outstanding. I have to get another 6.3
THANKS JAY 🤗 FOR SHARING A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE FOR YOU AND I SEE WHY YOU LOVE 💕 IT… just watching this for the first time💚💚💚
I’m a driver and back in the early 80s I worked for a limousine company. I would sometimes get hired to drive someone in their car. This one man had a Mercedes 600. I believe it was a 1972. He had done some work to the motor, and this thing was really powerful. The man is still alive and living in Pasadena. I won’t mention his name.
This isn't just for the grown up peeps. I'm 23 and this is my absolute dream car.
it's OK..it's.for everyone...it's gorgeous...German quality...tech..machines...
H E A V E N..
these turn more heads than newer mercs do.
das classiss are timeless,
das ist wahre...
yawohl meine freunde?
+Arne Hurnik so oder so me in Herr. ..guten morgan!
Lol they thought that smaller version of the 600 would be slower😂
It's not your nostalgia, this car really do is more stylish than modern Mercedes Benz cars. A true classic car, a piece on art.
One of my favorite sedans of all time. Mine is a 1970 vintage that we used as a tow vehicle to haul my race car to the race track. With the trunk full of tools and the wife and three kids as co-navigators. Still have the car but needs restoration.
I so want to buy it but they are so expensive now in South Africa.
Some new Mercedes look like jet fighters the second you open the door.
Chevrolet for Life 454 forever
Jay: “I’ll just drive it ‘cause the engine’s gonna wear out soon.”
6.3: “.....Halte mein bier.”
Hold min bajer
@@mrloop1530 *bayer
Ja, es ist mein Bier zu halten
Das Bier wird er noch lange halten müssen
Das Bier muss noch lange gehalten werden müssen. :)
Thank you, Jay for bringing back memories of the first time I drove a 6.3 in about 1978 when I was a young man - you & share the same passion for this iconic motor car. I could not believe the power & acceleration of the 6.3 every time I planted my right foot! Bulletproof, this rocket ship would launch itself every time and would keep pulling hard until I backed off at 100 mph! I have owned many Mercedes since driving the 6.3, however, none of them comes close to the fun of driving this wonderful piece of iconic German engineering.
If you can check out the new S class (W223) in a nearby dealership then please update us with your opinion which would be interesting due to your experience.
I enjoy your program because of your terrific knowledge on all aspects of a car. I have a DeLorean 1982 with 2600 miles & hasn't been driven since 1983 & I would like to see it go to someone with appreciation of cars. I am retired & in my 80's.
Hopefully Jay see's this and does a video on your car, I would be thoroughly interested in seeing it.
Wow, you've got my vote. That's one mint Irish auto!
Jay Leno
Upvote this!
I hope it goes to a steward, Darrell.
I love the way how Leno talks about cars. He is definitely a petrol head.
+jebojsa He is the Petrol head King.
jebojsa yeah, you think?
You mean THE petrolhead. He is the archetype of a petrolhead. The greatest.
yea a real car guy, not a poser who just wants to be seen driving a fancy car or take pictures with it and post them on social media... refreshing to see
Here in America, we don’t know what a petrol head is, and we say GASOLINE
In high school, around 1980, when 6.6L Trans Ams were about the fastest cars commonly seen on the roads, a good friend had a 1969 300 SEL 6.3. It was a blast being able to surprise the unsuspecting American muscle cars of the day. I completely understand Jay's fond memories of this car, it's not just him.
*Point of fact. How many T/As of that era are still driveable? Cheers!*
My parents had the 1969 280SE variant (in-line 6). It was the car I learned how to drive in. What an experience. The odd delay of the accelerator, the road feel, the precise steering. It was a wonderful car exceptionally thought out. The chrome, dense quality materials, the real “Rose wood” dash. Great memory.
In the 70s, my dad bought one of those, except it said 240D on the back. It did 0-60 in about 10 minutes.
I have the 220D. I have never been up to 60. True story.
you are sure that it was not the equivalent of the a-class in the 70s because they also had a similar appearance
I drove a 1980 240d with a 4 speed manual that the previous guy who owned it turned up the fuel pump. It still wasn't fast but it was a nice car to drive, untill I wrecked it atleast lol. The most amazing thing was it drove away from the head-on collision, but the minivan I hit was totalled, I'm thankful no one was hurt
In the 1970s in Nassau, Bahamas where I live, the 240D was a standard taxi car.
My first car was a W201 190D 2.0 1986
I win. Or lose, depends.
My father has been a mechanic since the middle 50's and worked on Mercedes-Benz almost exclusively from the early 60's at a dealer and then his own speciality MB repair business. It is interesting to listen to him reminiscing about cars he worked on when new that are now collector items. Sometimes his opinion of various collector cars is a bit different than that of todays enthusiasts. I think he should write a book. He was a mechanic through some interesting times being associated with high end imported automobiles. He wanted me to share the following with you and your viewers.
"Hi Jay, having been a MB trained mechanic. ( 5 schools) and worked on the 6.3 when new I had opportunity to discuss in depth the testing and power of the 6.3 engine with MB factory reps. They did full throttle destruction test for many hours with the output around 450 hp. 300 hp. was advertised because the US government was trying at the time to limit the horsepower race. We had to chain them to the floor when doing a dynamometer run after a full tune up since the rear wheel hp. would almost exceed the limit of the Sun dyno. Great fun! Joe Taylor"
I'm a European, and can tell you Mercedes-Benz cars routinely get up to 500,000 miles no problem
Karl P I have a 2005 that's already at 333,000
Karl P, my former W210 E55 AMG was sold with 305,000 miles on it with the original engine and transmission. My current car is a newer E55, a W211, with near 180k miles, and I intend to take it to 300,000 before it's sold. Cadillac called themselves the "standard of the world", but that title belong to Mercedes now...
Joe Taylor Great anecdote! You should write the book with him!
I've got a 1999 E430 4.3 liter V8 with 328,000 miles on the original drivetrain and it just loves to gobble up highway miles with nary a fuss. I'm the original owner and it runs and drives as well now as it did when I drove it off the dealer lot 20 years ago . .... albeit I am OCD about maintenance and it has been garage kept it's whole life. Mercedes Benz is the best production car maker in the world as far as I'm concerned.
I drove one quite a few times working at a Mercedes dealership when I was in my very early twenties. I smoked a Mopar muscle car at a light. :D
This video brings a tear to my eye. Mercedes cars back then were the foundation of the reputation the manufacturer profits from to this very day, they were really *that* good. To see such an old machine, restored to perfect condition, is quite something, it is as you heard Mozart playing on his piano or if Goethe (for Angloamericans: say Shakespear) write you a poem.
This was the pinnacle of “analog” engineering, and those times will never come back.
@@TheFalseShepphard Exactly. It was for only the richest and not the average person. Nowdays the car scene is more democratized.
@@jayspice4987 the average Joe could buy a 1yr old Mercedes, in Germany atleast. There were plenty of jobs.
@@sv_cheats1970 Really? Good to know. I always thought the average car would be a Volkswagen or an Opel, etc. Not a Mercedes.
@@jayspice4987 well of course most would go for a VW or Opel. Those who loved sportier cars would go for Audi or BMW. But generally the older folk favoured Mercedes, lots of them were exported out of Germany by people retruning to their gome Countries.
@@jayspice4987 but you need to remember I ain't talking about leather interior and heated seats examples, I'm talking about the bare bones examples with MB Tex, and a manual trans. Of course those who had more cash to spare (or wanted a flashy benz) would go for better equipped cars.
It's not just you, Jay. My grandmother had a '69 300SEL (non-6.3). We donated it to the Crawford Auto Museum in Cleveland in the early 2000s when she passed, but I got to drive it twice. Only 25k miles from new and it felt like a brand new car. The thing that got me, though, was the build quality. Truly staggering. Just closing the driver's door was a lesson in craftsmanship. Nothing is made like them anymore. I can only imagine how brutally fast the 6.3 must've been.
I like this cars styling better than alot of new cars.
That's nothing unusual since most cars from the 60s and early 70s look much better than most modern cars with their generic design.
I had one, and the 6.3 made me happy for many years.
good. because if it didn't, what would? my dad had a new 300 sel 4.5, and even that was just amazing.
What a genuine good Human being!
Thank you Jay Leno for all the laughter all the stories...
dude you rock!
I wish Jay would produce a lavish DVD boxset featuring all his beautiful cars, possibly with guest commentary's and restoration videos.
Its alway's a pleasure to watch these cars, and particularly that statement, " Let's take it for a ride", brings great pleasure every time i watch a fabulously rare and valuable car being driven, and not hidden in a museum.
Peter Lewis a DVD box set? What is this 2004? It's all online?
Vhs complete collection
Peter Lewis would be nice
Jay,I owned a foreign car sales and service shop back during the time the 6.3 was produced. Drove many of them and owned a few as personal drivers. Like you I think the 6.3 was beyond a doubt the best ride there was at the time. All that power and an absolutely beautiful passenger space. The air suspension system is marvelous, handles the same regardless of the load. Blasting down the road at 110 or 120 with four people in the car, sunroof open, handles like a sports car and rides like a limo. Nothing better. I ran across your video because I'm looking to buy one Of all the cars I owned and drove over 30 years it was my favorite. I always sold the ones I had back then because of the ungodly cost to maintain and repair them. But I'm at an age now where cost can be damned.
David Perry hi i have a silver 1972 300sel 4.5 on new york craigslist right now,comes with a free 450 sl
David .. Air suspensions are horrible regardless of their foolish maker. Rotary engines seem very "techy" as well ... till you blow a seal or 2 and realize the 2 stroke dirt bike sound coming from your engine bay is your subpar hampster wheel. Springs have evolved by leaps and bounds because of their use in motorsports. Replaced my air suspension w motorsport bred matched springs in my Lincoln. Ride quality equal to better and no embarassing rear bumper on the ground and a $1500 compressor estimate. Springs don't have airlines to freeze in the winter either when your air dryer gives up unexpectedly. Remember the fable .. the "Emperors New Clothes" .. written for air suspension use in vehicles.
@@serenedreams4611 what's the link please?
@@Closeoutracer I'll have to disagree. Although I HATE newer air suspensions, the suspension in these cars was beyond compare.
Regular UA-cam mechanics: DON'T BUY THAT, IT'S A MONEY PIT, IT'LL WRING YOU DRY!
Jay: When it breaks, oh my God, it's gonna be expensive. *But that's okay.*
You Tube Mechanics, LOL
*coughs* Scotty Kilmer *coughs*
@@kendrickminchew1855 I'm going to be honest, ive always disliked scotty kilmer and his community. They're like the anthony fantano fans of the car community, they inherit whatever opinion he has and don't care about anything else.
@@holymoly849 Like to watch him...but he breathes clickbait.
Thx, Mr. Leno. Yes. The 6.3 was a parade example of German engineering at its best!
A timeless classic for sure. You're right for loving this car, Jay.
When I was 17 I worked for a Buick dealership in Tampa, Florida. Well the owner's son ran the dealership and he had a taste for expensive cars and he didn't particularly like anyone but for some reason he chose me to go pick up his new car from Tampa International Airport. The old man that drove our courtesy van took me to the airport and told me that I couldn't drive any faster than him and he was doing 55 in a 75. Anyway, he drops me off and I go to the office on the top deck of the parking garage and the man gives me the key to the car. I looked at the key and laughed, it was a Ferrari key. I walked outside and there was a brand new red Ferrari 360 Modena. I hit 145 mph on I75 and that car wasn't even breaking a sweat. Highlight of my youth...
Robert Keeton Danngg epic story!! The 360 Modena is one of My favorite Ferrari's (especially in silver or space Grey)
Robert Keeton I'm 16, and I can't even drive!! I bike across the 3rd largest metroplex in The US DALLAS (34 miles)!!
Ferris, Is that you?
When you was a ’kid'
My father back in the day worked for Mercedes Benz Toronto and one of the best memories I have is being on the road in this car. My mother saying, Darrell please slow down you will get a ticket. My father responded with “they will never catch us”. Boy do I miss my dad and those drives in these cars right of the lots
This is just great. Fuel always has been very expensive in germany, so the big engines are very, very rare over here.
Man. It must have really sucked to be from East Germany back then.
Looking over that fence like, "dude their cars have 300 HP!?! All we have are these bullshit Ladas! FML."
Haha! On a good day, down hill, with tailwinds making 70 HP.
in east germany there were at least wartbrugs & trabants instead of the russian junk (still junk). Do you actually believe they would know somethink like that in the east block states. Controlled media in stuff. Living in east germany sucked, as long as you were not one of the few in the political elite who lived in the waldsiedlung. those guys actually drove volvos for some unkown reason.
@raven crow
blieve me, the any country, influnced by the soviet union is shitty. there only to kinds of people who had (have) a bette life in those countries. The first are the selected few in the goverment and the secound are those people who are lazy as hell.
they are now unemployed and complain about there lifes. not, that there life is worse then in it was back in the ddr. not that the system now is perfect, but it is in general a lot better.
amduser86 Are you insulting my country? No, life is not generally a lot better, come and see, it's a gypsy dump. And no, it's not because of the union, it happened AFTER that. What is it with you people, stop posting hate speeches against the soviet union, I get this every bloody american channel I go to, just why, are you afraid, are you bored or something, why? The union has NOTHING to do with the video or the content, why does someone always come out to hate on the past, and not their past on top of that, but other people's. Hate on Russia, Putin, the USSR, all related countries, just so, for the fun, I guess? This has nothing to do with you people, leave it be!
LADA was much better than Trabant 601(two stroke engine was laughable) or even wartburg thats for sure, because LADA was basically a FIAT 124. But life overall in east Germany was better than in any other soviet state.
Love it when jay says GOOD DAY MR BOND
I worked on a '70 as an apprentice in the mid '80s. My strern Belgian boss tested me non stop. I guessed right that the cold start valve was leaking after other shops missed it and he let me take it for test drive over lunch. What an awesome car. Enough power to steer it with the gas pedal.
I had a friend in high school who’s dad rehabbed old Mercedes. He had the 6.3 in brown and would let my friend drive it to school, she would let me drive it once in a while. 30 or so years later I still remember everything about that car. Especially the power on the back wheels. One of the greatest cars I’ve ever driven!
Jay, I owned 2x of these for 15 years until a few months ago. The interior of yours says 1968-69 all over. My VIN's ended in 1181 for my 1969 and 3724 for my 1/1970. By Jan 1970 the dash with the centerstrip horizontally across its length, the surface-mount window switches on the door were moved to the center console, the "Air Spring" lamp at the 6 O'clock position on the Speedo was eliminated and became an illuminated white center on the pull rod for the air suspension control in the driver's kickpanel. By Jan 1970 they also covered that exposed blower. The shifter on pre-1970 models typically had the gear positions reversed in a top-down 234NRP rather than traditional PRN432config. If your Title says 1972, check the metal tag on the B-pillar post and see if it is dated ie "3/72" and also if it has a VIN were the last 4x digits are higher than 4000. If the tag is riveted to the frame ahead of the driver's door instead of between the doors, it is a '68 or '69. If the Mfg/VIN plate is on the top of the frame in front of the radiator, it is a Euro model / gray-market import that had to be modified to US-DOT/SAE before entering the US. I have seen such cars registered at times as a later year than their original European manufacture, based on their conversion/import date. Either way, I strongly suspect your car was manufactured before Jan 1970 and may not have been titled in CA until 1972. Having owned both era's of 6.3's, I am familiar with the differences. I would be interested to see if you are still monitoring your comments a year and half later. BTW: I very much enjoyed your video!
GloucesterLGB you ever done body work on a w126 long wheel base?
Bump again. Where's Jay? I'd like to read a follow-up on this.
@@Mr.NiceGuy80 I think Jay does not have time for comments, I have never seen him to respond here.
@@Spazik86, that's understandable. It won't stop me from watching all the great content.
I've owned a few of these and have worked on a number more. A lot of differences happen between Euro and US cars, but I have seen others with variations between car to car. His looks 100% correct for a '72 except for the shifter, which is an ofddity, but I wonder if it began life as a column shift car, which would change a lot. Next time I am out at the shop, I'll have to look at both '71s there, as they are different, even from each-other, though both are US cars. I also have a 280SEL '72 there as well.
This is the best JLG episode yet. It is clear Jay loves all of his cars and has a profound respect, and depth of knowledge about his automobiles. This episodes longer form and more relaxed cinematography stood out from the other videos and I hope it is a new direction your moving in. I know not every car has as a relationship as long as this one with you but I wish you would go more in depth about the details you like and dislike on the other cars. It is also great to hear about contemporary opinions and conceptions of your cars, as you are uniquely informed of them and supremely articulate when sharing them with us. Great work Mr. Leno and co, keep up the good work.
Maybe throw that SLS stuff in a less revered, rusty Mercedes. That will quell the UA-cam masses.
I can totally relate Jay. This was my dream car back in my youth. The engineering is legendary but what's so hard to relay in a video is the sheer joy and excitement one feels when driving this car even by 2020 standards. The only other car that blew mw away was the 1978 450 SEL with the 6.9 engine.
it was not a 450 sel w/ the 6-9 ,it was a m-100 class by itself , m100 class the 600,6.3 and the 6.9
I thought they did put the 6.9 in a 450 SEL
Amazing how life can be...started his dream/ passion by driving something he could not pay for someone else, and finally buying it to show to someone else who can’t pay also few years later...circle of life i guess
I love old mercedes, especially pre computerized cars. Much more fun. And actually simpler is better, I dont need bluetooth or anything like that. a basic radio and a sunroof is all i want
So true.
I mean... These cars were FAR from simple. They were extremely ahead of their time
I do like the ability to play music from my phone because radio atations mostly suck these days and often cant be picked up on ling distance rides
P77777777
yes is a big plus having your own music.
I had a very old mechanical skids as my first car 25 years ago.
But fitted it with a nice Sony stereo with CD player.
It was great listening to the tunes.
Older mercedes are built like tanks
Amazing car. I'm around your age, and grew up in Alabama. My dad was a photographer, and he started buying Mercedes in the early sixties. I remember when he brought home the first one he purchased new, a W108 1966 250S. I used to take my dates out in that one when I turned sixteen. Later, in art school in the early seventies, I was working for a Jaguar dealer, an got to drive a customer's 6.3. Wow. I wanted one then, and still do today, especially after watching your video. Really enjoyed watching, especially after you figured out that the hood wasn't shut!
you can get one for pretty cheap nowadays.
I'm with you Jay....simply the best 4-door sedan ever made.......it's a luxury beast!
My father-in-law owned a 1971 dark blue 6.3. He used to work for Mercedes so he got most of the parts wholesale for lower cost Mercedes. But the air suspension valves and rear axel were very expensive. But it served him well.
The first time I drove it, I stepped on the accelerator and was doing 30 mph. I stomped on the brakes and stopped in a heartbeat. No drama. No diving. Just perfectly behaved.
The last time I drove it was just before he sold it (replaced with a Mercedes Turbo-diesel). We took it out on the interstate and I got it to 75 mph. Punched the accelerator and it just surged to 90 mph before I knew it. All with 220K miles on it.
And a pinhole in the head gasket too! Back when it was younger, it went through a deep puddle and the very low air intake sucked in some water. That out a small pinhole in the head gasket. I can’t imagine how it performed before that; it was a tame beast even with that pinhole.
Railroad tracks? Potholes? It’s as if the roads were all graded smooth when driving that car.
As I said, the air suspension valves were very expensive. So when one was nearing end of life, he would only change it when it actually failed. But sometimes he would delay the repair (he did most of his own work on the car) and he would get out of work with the car resting on the suspension stops kneeling as if praying. The left side A-frame finally cracked. So he went to the dealer. The A-Frame was very expensive. But the A-frame, rotor, and wheel bearing was $140. It took both of us to change it, but most of the work involved positioning the airbag for the suspension. No dangerous springs were involved.
When he passed away, I found and saved that Road&Track article about it being merely the best sedan in the world.
A great man, a great car, and wonderful memories of both of them.
Don't touch a thing on this car! Repairs are sometimes necessary, but I like an uncorrupted version better than a so called "improved" one. I love your 600 as well. Thanks for documenting your vast collection, and networking to document the cars you don't have on your channel.
I *totally* agree. Unless there's a functional benefit to the modification, I'd say don't change a damn thing. It's fine as it is.
Absolutely. There are plenty of standard examples that could be used for powerplant swaps instead.
Jay, since you implored us to keep commenting on your videos, and taking you at your word that you really read them...I just wanted to say, your hair is looking much better in this video...not so disheveled as it is normally. Looking rather suave and sophisticated, actually. :)
I think he just combs it before church. He must have filmed this on Sunday afternoon.
jockellis LOL
Jay, this is probably my favorite era of MB too, the stacked headlight cars with the interiors that exude quality.. the comfy buckets with the thick leather as you said and the beautiful integrated dash design and the beautiful planted ride..get one with 300 horse and you have the perfect car 😄
When UA-cam allowed us to download without cost, I had this video and the one for the 3.5 and 600 downloaded to watch off-line. From '71 my dad started buying Mercedes and we took several from this era and repaired the wrecks to drive and sell. Loved working on these cars. It's like classical music. Never gets old just sweeter to hear and drive and watch. Thanks Jay :)!
When I was a kid in Germany the S-Klasse were the biggest cars that could be found on the streets. We kids were always looking for the biggest of them. 250S, 280S, 280SE, 300SE, 300SEL, 300SEL 3.5 and of course, king of them all this 6.3. AFAIK there was only one of then in my hometown.
So casual, yeah when you're doing 10-20mph over the speed limit drives great. So many shows hide the speeds Jay's just like yep speeding like usual. Love the Massachusetts 22yr old story though
I never tire of watching this video. I own two 1970 6.3s, unfortunately neither are currently operational. I have owned this since 1975. They each have approximately 125,000 on them. Once along with two of my brothers, we drove from California to Florida without ever turning the engine off (not even to refuel). It is truly an amazing vehicle. I have owned several Mercedes and like you, this is my favorite.
I was lucky to buy and own a 6.3 for ten years, 1981 until 1991. When i bought it from a Pittsburgh collector it had 18,000 miles on it! When i sold it in 91 to a couple of Chinese Canadian guys from Vancouver it had 117,000 miles. I can remember driving home to Oregon from OKC in the mid 80’s with my family for a visit. There were five of us, wife and three kids. Those days were the old 55 MPH limit,but everyone had a CB radio and we flew. I wanted to get home, and this car knew how. From OKC we made Denver in 8 hours, spent a short night at a motel in Cheyenne, and made Eugene by about 5 o’clock the next day. 22 hours, 2000 miles. I can remember going across Wyoming in the dark, the car just ticking along quietly at 97Mph. I had put in some different halogen headlights and they lit up the desert. I can remember passing a truck on the two lane coming across the OK panhandle, and the truck driver made a smart comment on the CB about our “longevity “. When you got behind a slow vehicle,you didn’t need much space to pass. A real dart, and a pleasure to drive. It was Mercedes beige gray, and the seats dark brown leather. How lucky I was to experience this car for ten years. This was my second 6.3. I owned a forest green 69. 6.3 with tan seats that had 240,000 on it. Bought this one in 1977, and lost it to an ex-wife. That one was a real tiger for power, and fastest car of the two. Now we drive an 1983 300SDL. What a lamb.
These are the best car videos on the Internet hands down.
Jay it's not just you. Germans who are now around 50-60 also think this car was and is a masterpiece. It's one of their great heroes. A car that changed everything. They say so in their classic car magazines.
BTW next time close the bonnet correctly. That panel gap hurts my eyes.
DolleHengst I remember this back in the day.
As we know Leno has a lot of cars but noteworthy is just how much he praises and coos over this 6.3, which really confirms that it's just about one of the finest automobiles ever created. Yes, it's an automobile, not merely a car. A Toyota Corolla is a car.
I had one about 14 years ago. After 6 months the mechanic told me. This car can be scary fast....... but not as scary as the repair bill
Jay, you and your guys are heros! Greetings from Germany
I just bought a E39 M5 I love it for all the same reasons Jay loves his Merc.
+GunfightersINC Last real era of the brand!!
for how much?
Mister Mood
19.5 with 91,000 on the odometer, Silver with stainless interior. All services had been done up to date. I'm never selling it.
Driving a E34 Touring myself.
In my opinion one of the best looking BMW ever(right after the original M1).
GunfightersINC That is the mosT LEGENDARY BMW EVER PRODUCED!! Soo much heritage
Jay, back in 1981 I got to drive one of these sleepers to deliver it. I was told by the Boss to follow the owners son (who was in a Fast worked Torino GT) and don't loose him! When the kid took off down the road I was thinking to myself how could I possibly catch him in this Lead Sled while I floored the throttle, this thing came alive roasting the tires and then hooking up and banging through those 4 gears fast! I was amazed at how fast it was as I actually caught up to that rich kids Fast Torino! Also glad I didn't get caught by the Cops! I will never forget the feel of that car also equipped with the Bullet Proof glass and heavy body structure! My boss at the time told me the ouner also had another one just like it for his wife! Was an amazing ride! I have an auto repair shop in Ivyland Pa and have been repairing/maintaining vehicles for many years and those 6.3L Mercedes always impressed me still to this day! Was a special time back in the day! Thanks for doing this video as It brings back memories! Dave E. Ivyland Pa
I was 17 when I learned how to drive on our 6.3. It was a 1971 navy blue exterior with navy blue leather interior My father bought it when the stock market was doing well… Needless to say after the energy crisis and when things went wrong with the car, it became impossible to maintain financially. Parts were hard to come by etc.
My father and sister we’re in a pretty bad crash in 1978, but that car saved their lives because it was a tank. They walked away without a scratch but the car was never the same after the repair shop puttied up the side that was hit. Heartbreaking!
My father and I used to preen this vehicle because it was a work of art. Talk about nostalgia! I truly loved that car, though also had a healthy intimidation for it!
I miss it so much and my dad, in the family trips we would take all over the country in the car. Breathtaking and comfortable even from the backseat, sandwiched between my siblings.
I am actively looking for one to drive, to remember… gosh when that engine turned over, it was powerful! I wonder though, at this stage of my life if I were going to buy one, I might go for a 3.5 convertible. Either way, I’d have to join a repair club to maintain it!😅💙
I do almost feel like I'm taking a ride with Jay. Very nicely produced videos. Jay is a very generous man to share these wonderful cars with us regular guys who will never get so see most of them much less drive or even ride in one.
nice to see a person appreciate so many different types of vehicles , its so sad that people narrow things ( more than just cars ) down ,so as to miss out, as well as need to put something or someone down to make them or what they have seem better or RIGHT . your take on cars would serve many well to adopt in all aspects of peoples lives . You have a very thoughtful conversation of the cars you share with us
Jay, you’re one of those few people I’ve always liked. I’m 46 and have been a fan since you first took over for Johnny. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. ❤️
I just love the stories and the shared experiences. So awesome how these machines become part of our history and create so many great memories!
OMG, I had 72 300. While I'm not really a car guy, but I lived in Germany in the 80's, and back then it was just a run down oldy but goody. It started life as a 180, but with the Autobahn i blew up 2 engines, and another drive train. The 300 & train were in another wrecked 72, so we spent a month swapping them out. The local german volunteers on base really got into helping us out. Now that you show this, it's obvious why.
After the rebuild, and knocking off a ton of rust, it would do 110k on mountain roads.Sold it to a buddy after my tour of duty.
I'm no a mechanic, but could still working under that hood blindfolded. ...and that old Blaupunkt radio? To die for.
White exterior, red leather seats. More rust than metal under the paint. For some reason the 70's Mercedes weren't undercoated.
PS In Germany you don't need the AC quite so much.
I subscribe to this channel to see all the wonderful exotic cars you have. Never in a million years would I have guessed one of my old junkers would show up here. Thanks for sharing, and reminding me how nice it was.
For our last ride I looked over at my wife without a word and she just nodded and said "go ahead, I know you want to." With the toddler and mother-in-law in the back seat I cranked it up to 140kph for a few minutes... then just eased it back because we were already pulling up to the airport terminal for the flight back stateside.
Everyone should have the chance to drive the Autobahn in a Mercedes at least once in their life. What a sweet ride.
Kevin Burgess you require the permission of a woman to do things you like to do?
Kevin Burgess I have always over the years thought of Jay as a car and bike nut. So seeing your junk makes a lot of sense to me.
In 1971 my uncle visited us in Hamburg with his brand new 6.3. Since he had too much beer at the party, he asked me to take him back to the hotel and pick him up in the morning. I had the car all night and must have driven all over town, with the biggest smile I ever had. What a car...it could ride on the streetcar rails without any twitching at 90 mph.
I’ve owned and restored a few 108 109 Mercedes Benz saloons. My last one was a 1972 300 SEL 4.5, dark green over tan leather. I freakin loved that car. My wife just caught me watching this video and was like, “honey please don’t get another vintage Mercedes.” Once you own one, they get in your blood. You long to watch the road over those sweeping lines of the hood, with that three pointed star as you compass. My sons would always ask me to take them for rides in the old Benz, and I always obliged. They’re older now, and driving on their own now, but I still remember their smiling faces from the baby seats strapped in the back. These are timeless automobiles, but they don’t suspend time. Thanks for showing us your 6.3 Jay, she’s a beauty.
300SEL 6.3 is one of the iconic legends Mercedes made as it held the record for being the fastest, full sized sedans for years! It truly is a great car to drive. Thank you Jay for the great post!
i can listen to jay talk about cars all day..thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jay. I don’t know a lot about cars, but I absolutely love your passion and knowledge! Keep up the great work!
This is one of my dream cars, I can’t believe you got it for 5k! What I would give to have a space and one to lovingly restore over a few years 🥰
I own a 72 280 SEL 4.5. I have owned it for the last 9 years and I drive it on weekends only. I love it and I get a lot of nice comments and thumbs ups on it. I bought it because my dad owned one when I was 13-14 years old and it has a lot of nostalgic value for me. Of course, it’s not a 6.3, but still a very nice comfortable ride. I have a new body style S class as daily driver, but I cant wait driving the 280 SEL on the weekends. Mine has a floor shift 3-speed transmission and has adequate power for a 56 year old man.
Great video Jay. I am also a huge 6.3 fan, and have owned four of them over the years. Your car is definitely not a '72, it looks more like a late '68 or early '69 car. The VIN would tell all. However, the front turn signal parking lights are the later version.
If you're going to do a complete restoration, you may want to consider upgrading the engine to Euro specs with 10:1 compression. It really makes a noticeable difference.
A couple of minor things. The a/c blower should have a carpeted shroud to hide it, which also cuts down the noise a little. Also, almost all U.S. cars came with Becker Grand Prix or Mexico radios. Not sure how yours got a Blaupunkt.
I'm so happy that you decided to keep it stock.
yes it def not a 72 body
I agree with Jay's comment on the Three-pointed star hood ornament. I had a '72 280 SE (108 body style), with that kind of hood ornament. It sparkles as you drive, especially under the city street lights. The light reflects from each of the facets on the ornament and constantly sparkles as you drive along. Just a beautiful design detail on a beautiful car.
Hey Jay, your video review of the 6.3 brings back great memories to me as young man; My Best Friend's Father purchased his 6.3 new from Bill Becker Mercedes-Benz in Charlotte, NC in 1973, and He maintained his 6.3 with no expense spared for whatever the automobile needed; At the time, there was absolutely NO automobile, I mean NO automobile anywhere in Charlotte that could out run this automobile, whether on the drag strip, or flat out on the Interstate; When I was fortunate enough to ride in his 6.3, you knew you were in a high-end Mercedes with that wonder smell of the leather Interior, and the somewhat quiet ride versus those American land yachts; It really was truly the most beautiful hand-made Mercedes Sedan that I have ever seen; I have owned several Mercedes, but the 6.3 is truly a Special automobile unto itself - Thanks for making the 6.3 video, hope you restore it, I believe it will be well worth your effort and investment - Thanks
I've watched this video over and over. I just love the 6.3. I have a 1971 280se 6cyl w108. Someday i'll graduate to the 6.3. Thanks for sharing Jay
Jay, to reminisce with you on the joys of driving a posh Merc before it was my turn
It was 1976, I was 16 years old.... I hitchhiked from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains (Australia) carrying my own ski's and wearing my ski boots with no accommodation lined up, I arrived overnight and slept in an abandoned car and made my way to the slopes in the morning. Hit the slopes and had an awesome few days skiing with a young filly i met on the lifts. Her Dad had a 6.3 merc that he needed driving back to Sydney. I helped the poor guy out and drove his Merc back to Sydney.
Such a great car, and I love your enthusiasm for driving it. It probably is mostly nostalgia, but watching the video, your passion is infectious! Thanks, Jay!
Jay forgot to close the hood before driving the 6.3L hahaha
I do the same from time to time with my cars, lol
Love this car. It is a true Benz!! The way they drive, sound, smell and look. There is a special feeling sitting behind the wheel. Maybe it is nostalgia, but nothing comes close!! Jay?! I feel what it is!! 😼 One freaking awesome car!! My uncle had one many many moons ago. My father had a W123 series 250 straight six carburetor. It is, a special car as wel. So is the 230E and 280E. But this 300SEL 6.3 is super special!! Super awesome!!
I grew up at the same time as you and learned to drive a W108 ‘67 250 S. The owner of the local Mercedes-Benz shop drove the W109 300 SEL 6.3. I have the same nostalgia and love for these cars. Your 6.3 is listed on the UA-cam video as a ‘72 model, but the appearance is a ‘68 or ‘69 model due to the slim padding on the dash wood (eliminated in the ‘70 model), and the “reversed” floor mounted gear selector (with park toward the trunk and forward gears toward the hood). This was switched in 1970 to the typical forward Park position and forward gears toward the rear. Thanks for bringing forward my nostalgic ultimate car!
Thank you Jay! We love these incredible stories and vehicles.
This particular episode felt more human because it wasn't as cut up as some of them, felt like we all were really riding along there for a moment. Thanks for involving the viewers, thanks for going wide spectrum on the cars/subjects. Way to go! -- Funny story, I was crossing an intersection, and had a drink between my legs (human cup-holder), I saw my friend coming the other way, waived/honked and when I looked back ahead, the car in front of me had stopped dead. I slammed on my brakes, drink dislodged and I lightly bumped the car ahead. Got our out to inspect the damage with a big wet spot you know where. The guy took one look at me and thought I peed myself. Half laughing, half sympathetic said "It's okay, no harm done." and drove off... Whatever works I guess...
Thank you Jay.....that kind of car is the best of the best....my mother land state men traveled with that model car, finally I got to see close up at your channel....thanks a lot Jay.....really respect your passion....
You bought a Cadillac for your Dad, every where they went your mum lowered her body on the seat and said 'we are not Cadillac people, we are not, my son bought this car for us ' I could not stop laughing, how sweet and humble your mum was....bless your heart Jay....you jokingly said ' I can not divorce my wife, if it happened, I would loose half my cars to her' 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.......
I saw on your channel , other channel, you donated to service men and women, who injured during their duties, so so so inspiring Jay....God bless you more and protect all your treasured cars.
I worked in a foreign car repair shop in the 1970’s. A soldier brought us one of these he had bought used when he was stationed in Germany for a tune up. After I finished working on it I took it on the road to test it (naturally 😊). I ran it up to speed and then let off. There was a cloud of smoke behind me! I took it back to the shop and had to add a quart of oil to bring it back to the mark. Someone out there can confirm, but I think this was when MB had the super tight Teflon valve seals to help meet exhaust emission and they didn’t allow any oil to get past the intake valve stems- or lubricate them either. Which caused the caused the valve guides and stems to wear too much. Thanks, EPA!
Thanks for keeping this an original car. I'm all for resto-mods for crappy cars (engines), but this is a true gem. I am a big fan, and you love many types of engine, but to me a diesel is a great engineering marvel. Do you own any? (The 05-06 E320 straight 6 CDI is a spectacular engine). Additionally, and Stirling engines? Thanks again for one of the best shows on UA-cam.
OM648 are great. However, the best Mercedes diesel is the OM606.
This is my dream car, love it. Perfect silver color too.
Ditto.
I owned a 71 280 S for the five years I was posted to Baden Sollengin, in southern Germany with the Canadian Airforce. It did not accelerate like the 6.3 but it would cruise the autobahn all day and it was a pleasure to drive. I had hoped to find an SL to take home, today I would be happy to have the 280 S.
My father had a 69' 6.3 and as kids we enjoyed this car greatly. He was an OB/GYN who would run from the operating in his blue scrubs, jump in, grab a six
pack and then street drag race the locals. After years his only loss was to a 1970 Pontiac SD T.A.. The air bag suspension always gave him fits. I still
remember being pushed back in the seat from all that torque. I'd love to have one if my lotto numbers come in, but only if. Repairs were expensive. Those were
the days. An amazing car.
Love the body styling of this era
???
Beautiful car and still running great after all those miles really says a lot about the quality of it
Thanks for the enjoyable video.
I recall seeing a 300 SEL 6.3 in 1968 when it accelerated quickly from a stoplight. Will never forget the sight or sound. I liked the non-obtrusive sound. I owned a 280 SE for a while in the late 70s and enjoyed it immensely. Mercedes back then build to last.
I'm so hooked on this show! Jay came to visit my friends here in Oregon for the gambler 500 and everyone loved that he honored them like that. Great cars great dude.
Thank you for yet another class on car mechanics! Nostalgia is such a good element of your videos! :)
I got my 6.3 from Floyd's mobil station on Route 66 in Claremont, CA in the early 80's for $5,000. The Corvette killer - what a car!! To this day I consider the 300 SEL the epitome of understated elegance in design. The 6.3 wasn't really a luxury car, but it was engineered to LAST. It was solid and if you get in one today it will feel as solid as when it was new. That's why wealthy people liked Mercedes, value for money. In my case a dropped ring gear and leaky airbags made me realize that I couldn't really afford to maintain or fix this car if anything even remotely major happened. So I drove it to the Swap Meet at the Pomona Fair and traded it for a "66 Caddy deVille convertible. I never liked that Cadillac. The 6.3 spoiled me forever.
It's still my favorite car ever even though it was also the first car teach me that I couldn't afford her. She dropped the ring gear in the rear end on day and I had to have her towed home. Amazingly there was no damage! But when the guy helping me fix it started talking about the cost of parts, if I had needed
Jay my dad in the Army in Germany bought a 1972 300SEL 6.3 as our family car, I learned to drive it in Germany at 15. Great memories, he took it back to the states with us and I drove it through highschool, blew away many mopar big blocks. Super sleeper. Once remember him on the autobahn at well over 320 km, as the gauges at the time were km. Thanks for the memories of driving this car. Ours was midnight blue.
Jay, you asked for comments from folks who have driven these. I've owned two. I sold the second one probably around the time you bought this one. I agree with you, it's a breathtaking drive. Zero-to-sixty in 6.5 seconds and a 1/4-mile in the 14's is nothing special these days, but doing it in a V-6 Accord is nothing like as dramatic as in a 50-year-old Mercedes with a giant V8. The barrel-chested roar, the rear tires chirping on the 2-3 upshift, trying to avoid hanging the tail out on tight turns, and the general feeling of a high-strung machine itching to break free; these things make it exhilarating. I won't say I regret selling, I'd had my fun and moved on to other things. But in my fantasy world I'd have enough space and funds to be able to own and keep all the cars I love, and the 6.3 would be near the top of the list.
I owned 2 of these 6.3 ‘s . Loved them , first one to come to U.S. was mine.
Aha ok.
I visited Mobilia car museum in Finland. There is the only existing Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 Waxenberger. Really unique car.
Jay Leno is just a real guy down to earth, and have to love Jay Leno’s garage just fantastic
My older brother had a German car repair business for thirty years. He gave a 1969 280SE to my mom - to keep her safe. I never really appreciated it much except I always thought it had the loveliest lines ever. Later, as I got older and was helping my mom around more, I really got to know the car and could not find a single defect throughout the vehicle. The doors closed with a whisper and all the body parts fit perfectly. It was not fast, but smooth as a sewing machine. Classic German quality.
This Merc is pure class in my book.. wish i had one... they are Fabulous :-)
I love that car...
I was never a Mercedes-Benz guy until a couple of years ago after I came across this car and read up on it. Fell... in... LOVE! 😍😍😍
Unbelievable machine! Engineered like no other car in the world. Thank you Jay for the video.