Minichamps's 1/43 Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9

The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 was a high-performance version of the S-Class luxury saloon. It was built on its own assembly line by Daimler-Benz in Stuttgart, Germany and based on the long-wheelbase version of the W116 chassis introduced in 1972. The model was generally referred to in the company's literature as the "6.9", to separate it from the regular 450SEL.

The 6.9 was first shown to the motoring press at the Geneva Auto Show in 1974, and produced between 1975 and 1981 in extremely limited numbers. It was billed as the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz car line, and the successor to Mercedes-Benz's original high-performance sedan, the 300SEL 6.3. The 6.9 also has the distinction of being among the first vehicles ever produced with optional electronically controlled anti-lock brakes, first introduced by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch in 1978. The 6.9's successor — the top of range 500 SEL — continued the 6.9's remarkable self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension as an extra-cost option.

The detail on this mode is incredibile from the 3-pointed star to the interior. This is the type of quality that you would well expect from Minichamps why these models are £40+ in price. I have to say it is a close call these days between AutoArt and Minichamps in terms of scale re-production. But this is a great model to have within the garage - albeit is is now retired to make way for newer additions.

I have its predecessor - the 300SEL 6.3 on display as well as AutoArt's W220 - which is one of my favourite Merc's of all time. So whilst it is not on show anymore, I am satisfied in the knowledge that I have it somewhere.