Mercedes Benz 600 Limo Restoration (Part 1) | Classic Obsession | Episode 16

Previously owning three of these 60's supercars, Gary reminisces about his past restorations and pays homage to these luxury vehicles owned by royals and Hollywood film stars.
Created with the support of Footman James, classic vehicle insurance specialists and founders of Coffee and Chrome Collective: www.footmanjames.co.uk/
This video is sponsored by Fine Car Company. Sell or buy classic and exotic cars from around the world: www.finecarcompany.com/

[@niki7040]

I was born in 68, my father always had new S-class cars. Always had them between 3-6 years, then ordered a new one. Remember w108, various w116 where a 450SEL was my favorite. Remember different 126's. My parents had a friend who had a 600, I think it was a model year 71. Thought it was something absolutely fantastic, really wanted one, already as a 5 year old. My father has unfortunately not been around for a long time, but my Mercedes memories continue in my own cars. I have, among other things, a Mercedes 300SL r107 that I have owned for just over 20 years, wonderful car. This video channel makes me happy, great atmosphere, and it's stylish. Greetings from southern Sweden.

[@classic.obsession]

I had a w108 for years and loved it. So undervalued. Remember the distinctive smell? Regards.

[@tismeDenis]

When I was young, my Dad worked for Mercedes in Brentford & he used to deliver Mercs to their owners every day, so as a youngster I used to sit in them everyday outside our house after school for hours, and he very often used to unofficially take me with him, late 60's & 70's= 190,280,300sl's, all the saloons Inc 3.5's & of course 600's. It was a time I will never forget & new every inch of all of them due to relationship I had with each model. Very special & cherished forever. Great video & thank you.

[@classic.obsession]

It’s amazing the style and the innovation of those 60’s and 70’s cars lavished with wood and chrome…that’s why most of us still dream and hark back to that era. Exciting times. Regards.

[@tismeDenis]

@@classic.obsession I noticed every refinement on them, gaps, knobs, materials, sounds, just pure quality. In fact bcos my Dad was a mechanic too after he left that job he ventured into buying lots of pontoons, 180,190,220 etc & I thoughts the 220s was just great too. Loved that era of Mercs. Tbh I just laugh nowadays (respectfully) when most other cars of the same era are classed as classics. In those days we used to through them away. Never ever would they be a comparable to 3 star class. 👍 Hats off to your quality work & understandings. 😉

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

When my dad bought his first Mercedes, a 1954 170D, it was so bombproof, he swore he would never own another marque.... And he didn't!! His next was a 220a Ponton, then a 220S Ponton, a 220SE Fintail, a 220S Fintail (which I upgraded with a newer 250S engine and front suspension unit complete with power steering, simple job!). His next was my favourite, a 230, a very low mileage 1 owner car which had full Mercedes history and drove, looked and smelled like new. I managed to come across a 1965 300SE from which I sourced and fitted the complete, leather and wood interior into the 230 which was just sublime and sadly his last 220S Fintail (again a very low mileage car) before his demise. I myself have had numerous Mercedes cars (yes, I got the bug!) including 4 x 190Es, 2 x W203s (the C320 CDi with its sublime turbo diesel V6 engine❤ being my favourite) and a 270CDi, a R320CDi, a W211 320CDi (you can see i loved that V6 turbo diesel!), a W212 E250CDI (brilliant engine too) and my current W213 E220CDi which Mr Khan forced me to purchase🤬🤬 My dream was always to be a W100 owner but alas it will never happen unless I win a lot of money on the lottery. Fantastic video as usual👍🏻👍🏻

[@johnstout5623]

This is the best video on the 600 I have ever seen. Thanks.

[@grumpyoldgit8254]

"Steering box was pissing fluid everywhere" No airs and graces with this lad, says it as it is, top lad. Clever lad as well.👍 love these old Mercs, still a beautiful car , no wonder you had 3.

[@FeeneyStephen]

There should be a medal for this.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A beautifal looking Mercedes Gary. A enjoyable and informative video as always.

[@classic.obsession]

Many thanks

[@rolandholtz8250]

love watching your episodes, Gary!!! Roland from good old Germany

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

Timeless beauty, the Best Car in the World (bar none!!)

[@simonelliott5956]

Knocked out by this, huge respect to you Gary, this is no easy restoration. As a boy I watched one of these go from a wreck to a beautiful car again, as it was rebuilt by a guy down the road from me in the 80’s, I have loved them ever since!

[@gregharvie3896]

Hi Gary, from Sydney, Australia. I'm 66yrs old & these have been my favorite car since an 8 yr old when I saw the first one in the flesh. The 2 guys that started Toll-Ipec trucking company after WW2 had made millions by the 1960's in both OZ' where they came from and in northern Europe where they found themselves after WW2. The NSW one of the two bought a pair of SWB's in 1965 a his & hers in metallic grey same as your one and an unusual almost like underside of mushrooms metallic. My mum's family owned a massive dry cleaning & laundry company, and I mean massive. So, when it was kids' holidays, I'd go with different drivers on different days on Sydney's upper north shore to see what kinds of lovely cars were hiding in garages. He knew who I was and took me for a ride in the 600 and I was dropped back to the factory in Chatswood. It was stunning to an 8 yr old. When I earned money for doing things over the coming months I bought 6 Dinky Toys versions, I was besotted with them, at one point Nanna gave me money to buy something else. You are right with the 2-piece wheel caps, as the small hubcap has more a domed shape and both it and the rimbellisher look to be made of a higher-class material that the big single piece items first fitted on 280SE's most owners seemed to fit the big flat 280SE wheel trims across the board on their cars back in the day. I have owned many lovely cars & still own six but so far never a 600 due to their complexity. For 40 years now I have owned a 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman an equally rare car, in Black with a mustard-colored interior made for just 3 model years with the first the 74's having the longest list of standard features and complex ones at that. Being the first cars with factory airbags also with GM's Trackmaster system (ABS brakes & traction control), self levelling air shocks, plus many other things the first model year 1974 cars came with a 4-person interior in such a large car the seats being sumptuous. Export spec cars like mine came with the full power 8litre engines, not the "hobbled" US homemarket versions. It had an old German first owner when I bought the car in late 1982 and had 102,700kilometres on it as an almost 9yr old car. Now in late 2022, 40yrs later it has 704,000klms on it & with simple careful maintenance has proved to be totally reliable. Best of all it gives me the same pleasure every time I start it & drive it Now re the mirrors on the grey ex-Aussie one. With the old federal ADR's (aust' design rules), there was one that stated that an external mirror was not required if the vision from the internal central mounted one met an equation measuring the area of vision available from that internal mirror, so maybe this is the reason why it never had left or right-side external rear view mirrors. Now as years passed some of the different 6 state & 2 territory governments mandated for right side mirrors, and some states both right & left side external mirrors on new or re-registered cars so maybe some mechanic doing the re-registration roadworthy fitted the 2 x "alien" BMW electric mirrors. Regards.

[@rayborg7378]

The 600 Mercedes never really had any rivals in its time did it.What is a pleasure to behold is the attention to detail and care that is shown here.Cars like these should only be done by people in the know.I must know a thing or two .I ve been bitten along the way.Long live guys like Gary.

[@finecarco]

Great episode Gary, proud to be a sponsor of it! And if anyone watching has a 600 W100 they want to sell (or any other classics), we'd be happy to help them with that. We don't charge sellers a penny to list or sell with us, so you’ll always receive 100% of the sale price. All the best from the team over at Fine Car Co 👍

[@brianiswrong]

You have certainly chosen who to sponsor wisely. Any top notch firm dealing in classics, be it buying,restoring,driving or selling should seriously consider Gary as a brand ambassador. As a regular viewer any advice or recommendation from Gary for services seems driven by a genuine desire to get things done the right way,while also being real world wise about when to spend money to get the genuine article,and when to cut costs and get a equally good (if not better) part/ service, from an independent company.

[@alancrisp1582]

🙂 Beautiful graceful old-school classic Mercedes Benz. Sadly of which we will never see there like again. The newer cars are no where near as great as this model!.......................

[@user-gc1zn5mn4p]

Gary, I am an owner-driver of Mercedes-Benzes, and I also do some restos myself, so I can clearly see that you are a master restorer--well done. :)

[@godfreyberry1599]

All Mercedes models should be the most desirable collectibles - German government insane scrapping policy combined with German manufacturers being simply too profit at all costs orientated all but extinguishes the enthusiasm for this type of restoration. Really well done, sir - this has been my all time favourite Mercedes from my teens.

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

@@godfreyberry1599it is all now for the shareholders max profits gambling on stock market. Main shareholders own all kind of manufacturers and now they are mostly in on Tesla.

[@willardr100]

Breathtaking. It gives me shivers to think of piloting a classic like this. Just don’t ask me to get a spanner to it, I wouldn’t have a clue! Happy to vacuum it, though.

[@BrendanMitchell]

Thank Goodness people like Gary take care of these wonderful machines, without Gary and similar like minded people these pieces of history and design would be lost forever. His skills and knowledge is phenomenal. A great watch!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

THANK YOU for posting a fine essay on the 'ressurection' of several examples of one of the world's finest automobiles!

[@sunnyali8061]

I appreciate all the hard work done.. I am big big admirer of these Mercs 600 specially Pullmans... great cars ever

[@kenquattro6562]

I remember following KBY, the black 600 into the German Classics show at Haigh Hall around ten years ago. It had so much presence.

[@richardjones7386]

That’s a thing to behold. Hats off. Well Done and now is time to enjoy such a wonderful vehicle.

[@pedrosalas4460]

What a magnificent work Gary you are trully a Master Please continue giving us videos from your magnificent work for many many years

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

The channel perfectly described in one video…. Very nice cars.

[@OLH3rd]

These are such gorgeous, stately cars! I remember these in the presidential motorcade as a boy in Kenya back in the 70's. Would love to have a ride in - or even better - drive one someday.

[@davidbohner692]

Absolutely awesome👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✅✅✅✅✅

[@petergoose8164]

Amazing cars. Your approach to working on them harmonizes completely with the original builders. No compromise. Great respect to you for what you have achieved.

[@miguelamaya6246]

BEAUTIFUL CAR I LOVE OLD CARS...

[@frankbruning7727]

Very nice video 👍🏻👍🏾👍🏻👍🏾👍🏻👍🏾

[@w124mercedes7]

Other than the gullwing cars the 600 is the most beautiful piece of automotive art M.B has ever created. Breath taking cars. I have a 1987 300d w124 that I am restoring and love my car. I wish I could have afforded an older car but I am happy to own my low mile 300d. A have been a certified mechanic and body & painter For 30 years and enjoy working on my mercedes. Its like therapy. Its calming and relaxing. Although there are times I turn into a flight instructor for tools. But still love the cars.

[@classic.obsession]

Sometimes we end up throwing spanner’s at the wall in frustration but when all is well and we take them for a drive we fall in love all over again and all is forgiven!!

[@philipchurchill6508]

great narration voice ,lovely and mellow

[@sharkamov]

If a nice, honest and intimate love story were to be told, this is a beautiful one! . . . 👍

[@trevorlees1241]

Love this guy for his straight forward approach and ‘honesty’ Truely a great watch !!😀👍

[@klwthe3rd]

I think most people that know anything about classic cars would admit that the Mercedes Benz 600 was the finest car ever made. There are tons of documentaries made about this car and was feature on Jay Leno's Garage among other famous collectors. The fact that Iain had (3) of them is just astonishing. That metallic blue color was my favorite of the (3) but they are all just simply gorgeous. I did hear that rumor that owners of these cars were entiled to Mercedes Benz on site technical assistance for the life of the car(original owner mind you).Urban legend???? Maybe we'll find out in a future episode?

[@sohrabrustum8582]

Wish I had your energy and dedication. The C107 SLC had the same hydraulic system for windows, central locking, seat adjust and back tilt lock/release. It was a plumbing job, and when you start out not knowing what you're looking for, its a bit of a surprise when the voltmeter isn't going to be helping you any.

[@johncollier608]

A beautiful job, Gary but why on earth did you sell such a piece of automotive history? Especially after all that effort. That said, I love your channel. Thanks for sharing.

[@fscott1134]

LOLLL! You make it all look so easy! Btw, I would only ride in the back if I ever owned one. Great video, thank you.

[@shane6115]

I love ❤️ this channel..😊

[@robbief5517]

Just found your channel Gary absolute belter 👌 👏

[@jimcabezola3051]

What a car! Mahalo for restoring and preserving these legends! 👍

[@simonblunden2151]

Why is it the more I watch these videos the more I want to buy a classic car and restore it?

[@stephensmith7499]

Brilliant Garry,admire you,I would love one Couldn't even afford to fill it with fuel

[@sirdigbyminge1639]

Pure Gold. Mao tse tung owned 26 600s.

[@bobbybillam]

Thank you for sharing your passion in such a personal manner. A privilege to hear you. With deep appreciation. Bob

[@ihanihanbryan9137]

The best Mercedes-Benz salam dari penggemar Mercedes-Benz Indonesia country 🇮🇩🤩

[@philipchurchill6508]

It has been called the worlds hardest car to restore !

[@multislipful]

Very special indeed. I am in my seventies and remember clearly just how advanced and beautiful the 600s appeared when new. You have done a wonderful job in bringing deserved new life to a car that should not be forgotten. Thank you.

[@charlescallea1759]

Fantastic!!! Thanks!!!

[@GetrealwithSteve7]

So glad to see you again with more of your spectacular cars. I was afraid you had given up on us. Looking forward to the next Mercedes-Benz 600 installment. Merry Christmas!

[@classic.obsession]

‘Never give up!’ All the best.

[@markobiko5646]

Thank you for your videos. They are truly inspiring. You are an amazing custodian and craftsman.

[@markedwardsphotography]

Brilliant video. Very interesting and informative. Thank you for posting the 600 story. I am looking forward to seeing another film. I personally own a Limo, a BMW 7. Limo. I think the top of the range German Limo cars are the best in the World. Superior in engineering and design

[@thomasdunn8923]

1st one I watched and I have liked subscribed. And will be watching more. Great content

[@hughbishopnh]

These "dictator classics" like the Mercedes Benz Grosser are shapes that you either love or hate, and even if its not for you then you have to admire the engineering.

[@RickCT2000]

What great looking Mercs! You do beautiful, obsessive work Gary. Love your persistence and commitment to keeping these original and running. Could there be another in the near future?

[@neilharrison7555]

Yes, what a car indeed. It does look lovely.....loved the wee stories of some of the previous owners, and hunting elusive parts!

[@johnrgoodman]

They are absolutely wonderful cars. I enjoy your videos very much. John

[@mrpdofff]

They are just gorgeous.

[@martinjackson565]

Best car ever made

[@davecoleman7431]

Wow Gary what a motor car New to your channel and subscribed straight away Your attention to detail is second to none Great taste in cars mate

[@qvilorio]

Really love your work, you truly are a master. Would love to hear you compare the 600s with the Silver Clouds of the era.

[@digger-59]

You are blessed my man.

[@leeparker8926]

I would just like to say what a stunning car it takes me back 50 years my granddad owned one in the late 1970s a black one it was a barn find he used to have a few garages in Atherton nr wigan

[@grayfool]

Thanks for giving us a very detailed veiw of these amazing cars. I love older Mercs and this is certainly one of the best. Money no object engineering is always fascinating to see.

[@Erwinhooi]

Awesome episode, really enjoyed it! Huge project!

[@colingarner6175]

For some strange reason I think the Pullman shape is far more cohesive than the standard wheelbase saloon . Love it . One of my dream cars is the Citroen SM , wish you would rebuild one of those . ❤

[@classic.obsession]

I love those SM’s too. The Maserati engined one especially. Regards.

[@exeuropean]

@@classic.obsession I had a few SM's. Amazing cars. Back in the day they were cheap now not so much anymore. I love the original French nose, just everything about it is perfect. Unfortunately I get bored easily so after a few months I would sell it, make some money.

[@jonasirw1]

Gorgeous.. the color is spectacular.. excellent job. Hats off

[@davidcoulling9521]

Wonderful video as always - many thanks Gary you are an inspiration🙂

[@Giddykippa65]

it must take some considerable effort to sell your cars especially after all the hardwork you put into restoring them im guessing you love the journey and you're always looking for the next challenge but im not sure i could part ways after so much effort

[@johnmclean7212]

fantastic

[@MYJ61]

Like Jeremy Clarkson said about a Maserati Quatroporte, It’s like having a two year old child. A lot of the time it’s driving you crazy, but you’d kill anyone who tries to take it away from you!

[@BigWillAuto]

incredible

[@chrisballs6848]

What an artist Mavers, hats off.❤

[@stewartevans3875]

Hey Gary Lad !! Through you and your channel, I've found an interest and appreciation of these vehicles. Hydraulic windows and seats - who'd a thought it !! I love the flaring die that you had made - great piece of werk 🙂 Interesting that the chrome wheel arches were an original feature of this car and really suit it and gave it that Luxury look back in the day I guess - its funny though that these became fashionable in the 90's to add to your vehicle to hide rusty wheel arches or give it a bit of bling back in the day ; to me they had the opposite effect but these really do look elegant....! Another great episode - keep em coming Lad and happy Christmas :-) Cheers Stew

[@leepilkington6498]

Thanks Gary, really enjoyed the video. Awesome engineering in those cars, great to see them being saved

[@azizhachimi8744]

Great job Gary: I really enjoyed watching the restuaration of that beautiful MB! Honestly, I got hooked from the first minutes of the video, which means you create quality content! I of course subbed & smashesd a big fat thumbs up! We send you our best wishes of a wonderful year 2023 from Montreal, Canada!

[@johnhigh2187]

Nice cars, enjoyable narration!

[@swedishmansion8262]

Nice video

[@briannumme9337]

Cheers!

[@grahamhunter4996]

Mullern Park Ward floor mats.😊

[@rjnation5042]

Love these big old 6ltr Merc's, I've got a shabby one that's been off the road for many years, Rj in Oz

[@richardmoss2179]

It’s really refreshing to see you do the work yourself and your passion for the cars on which you’re working. You mentioned neutralizing the surface rust and putting on new undercoating. Which product/techniques do you use to neutralize the rust?

[@classic.obsession]

There are a few I’ve used to great success but Kurust is good followed by Upol weld through primer before primer and paint. Regards.

[@marcusd2380]

Great video very impressive ur skill and the time u pit into the car great work Gary

[@mrjohncharlesbrown]

Hello Gary you're a brave man ...My goodness what proper motor car ...I owned a 280SE 3.5 stacked Headlamp car... metallic red white interior what a car, I have always regretted selling it, a wonderful car, my pal had the 6.3 version no badge on the boot lid, so understated, used to love being sat in that pulling away from the lights beating a boy racer a proper car....I think at one time it was the world's fastest production saloon car, it twist with the torque when revving the engine ....magnificent beast...new cars just don't do it for me, my wife doesn't get me at all lol

[@classic.obsession]

Hi John. I restored a 3.5 coup a few years ago. Great car. 100k for a nice one now! Yes, the 6.3 same 100 engine they put in the 600’s. I was offered only last week, a 300sel 3.5 saloon. Been sitting in a garage since 1976….was very tempted!!

[@mrjohncharlesbrown]

@@classic.obsession very nice

[@mrjohncharlesbrown]

@@classic.obsession Gary .... with your abilities I'd go for it, we've not travelled to your neck of the woods so it would be great to spend the weekend there to have a look and be our guests for dinner in the process good luck regards John ps try and pop down to Burleigh House for the RREC annual rally it's worth a visit tickets are on sale on the 27th, we stay over the weekend there for a couple of nights too, it's a great place to meet up

[@Vince_uk]

These are simply both a magnificent piece of engineering and a fabulous car. I have 2 B's myself and I will not drive any other brand unless it is a RR or a Bentley.

[@RobS32]

Mint vid pal very enjoyable. Thanks 👍

[@richardwoodward6702]

Another masterpiece, really enjoying watching, just miss the intro

[@ronniewilson6597]

Great video Gary. 👍🏻😀

[@phil4977]

Beautiful cars and a great video

[@jamesshaw4683]

Beautiful car,well done 👍

[@darrenbyrne4622]

Gary Simply stunning

[@toreberger646]

Fantastic Thank you🍀

[@jonboy9912]

Me too - great cars but scare me to death!

[@PacificEdibleSeaweed]

That was fun.

[@Dg-zj6jo]

your amazing happy christmas sir you should work for N A S A your that good when i get my rolls fixed head park ward coupe will send you a pic im rebuilding a shadow engine next year hopefully

[@justmyvideos14]

My boss had a blue/grey one bought new in 1972 in Melbourne. We loved touring around the Mornington peninsular in it.I wonder where it is now?

[@classic.obsession]

That grey one I owned that once belonged to pic Bota was nice. Red leather, drinks cabinet and a special air con system incase of nuclear attack! Regards.

[@miamimo70]

Somebody somewhere has a 2 door version of this 600. I saw it in Curzon Street W1 many years ago. Still haunts me to this day. I so wanted it.. The Ghost Mercedes as I called it

[@classic.obsession]

Yes…I’ve seen a piece on that in a magazine a few years ago! Regards.

[@miamimo70]

@@classic.obsession not sure how many Nallinger Coupes they made, I think just 2

[@xncheckout]

been waiting for this one :)

[@whammond511]

So, you don’t have this one any more but what about the other 2? Do you still own either of them?

[@classic.obsession]

Hi. No unfortunately but the problem is, lovely as they are they’re huge and 3 take up all your space….and money!! I’m seriously thinking about another though. Regards.

[@mrjohncharlesbrown]

I owned a 280SE 3.5 Stacked Headlamp Saloon metallic red white upholstery magnificent....wished I'd kept it, I own a 1973 Corniche two door saloon more a feminine car, the German car was masculine

[@classic.obsession]

Hi John, me too! I restored a 3.5 coup a coupla years back. I’ll have to revisit that one. Love the Corniche for different reasons but Merc’s were my first passion. I cut my teeth on Pagodas. Regards.

[@mrjohncharlesbrown]

@@classic.obsession yes I have to admit they seem better built but not so refined, I wished to purchase a drop head...I drove a couple however I felt they had quite a lot of "scuttle" and noisier than two door saloon, my wife preferred the enclosed environment, mine is a 3 owner car in Bordeaux a lovely understated colour, chrome bumpers , all the history from new, original green log book original bill of sale, she costs me a fortune to keep, I suppose that because I simply don't have to facilities to work on her, being nearly 50 years old you have to accept that, a man has to have his pleasures, I was so impressed with your on going work with your Drophead my wife watched that with me ...I hope it's the car she's interested in and not you !, unfortunately for me I live 5 minutes from P&A Wood too it's a "must go" place, I can arrange a visit for you if you're up for it.....we are friends of the family, we are 10 minutes from Stansted Airport, I could collect you from there.... could be an excellent KZbin programme for you to produce regards John and Jacqueline

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

Is there a movie where the 600 is not the bad guys’ car?

[@johndickenson8506]

Hi Gary, great video, did you manage to sell it, I think I would have added it to the fleet, wife permitting !! Keep up the good work.

[@jackflynn2026]

Hi Gary - love the vid, top notch. Working on a similar project at the moment. Any way to connect with you directly?