The Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 Invented an Entire Genre of Car - BTS with DTS - Ep. 9

Today, it’s a given that there are many sedans available that are as quick as a Porsche 911 or Ferrari. In the 1960s, that idea was so inconceivable that no one had even conceived of conceiving of it. That one should be invented by a company whose reputation was for making trucks and boring cars for old people was all the more shocking, especially considering Mercedes-Benz didn’t even have a sports car of any type in their model line, let alone one whose pace could match a 911 or a 330 GTC. And the damn thing only existed because one engineering made one on his own time and then when the director of production heard it drive by his office late one night, he managed to get the Board of Directors to approve its production, thus creating the searingly fast, understated sedan model which we continue to enjoy to this day.
In this video, Derek Tam-Scott recounts the extraordinary story of the 6.3, including its improbable success as a race car, and delivers a surprising verdict about what the car is capable of on the road.
BTS (behind the scenes) with DTS:
Derek Tam-Scott’s spirit age is excess of 75 years old, and nowhere is that clearer than his taste in cars. At age 16, he went to work at one of the United States' foremost vintage car dealers, which cemented his elderly taste. Now with a decade and a half’s experience buying, selling, driving, and brokering classic and exotic cars, he’s experienced many of the world’s most iconic cars. And even liked some of them.
Most of the car enthusiasts of Derek’s generation (and well, let’s be honest, even a generation or two before him) don’t have much experience with the magic of vintage cars prior to the 1980s, and therefore lack the knowledge and exposure to get genuinely excited about them. The goal of BTS is to give an insider’s perspective on why these cars particularly are great...or at least interesting and noteworthy. Derek brings his encyclopedic knowledge and broad experience together to contextualize these cars to give the audience understanding of both why it matters, and what it’s actually like to experience the cars.
ISSIMI is an enthusiast-owned, full-service specialist offering sales, consignment, collection management, service, and consulting to discerning enthusiasts and collectors. Specializing in complex transactions that include international services for exceptional cars, ISSIMI’s San Francisco Bay Area and Europe-based teams of experts pride themselves on transparency and knowledge.
#ISSIMI #w109 #m100 #mercedes300sel63 #mercedes-benz
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[@PerfectRotation]

Issimi & Hagerty are absolutely killing it these days. Phenomenal work gents. I absolutely adore the 300 SEL. Torque for days

[@topfunnyclips5807]

You said what I want to say 🙂

[@piccalillipit9211]

*CAN WE JUST TAKE A SECOND* to appreciate how good the video was, yes the car is a legend, but the video was super enjoyable...

[@michaelschneider-]

@Piccalilli Pit .. +1. Agreed, Good stuff.

[@trippy19640]

Sublime and thorough. Hyphen needs to put more videos up, these are always worthy of your time if you enjoy cars and their history

[@rahulsudhir666]

Hyphen is a 70 year old absolute car nerd, but also a really good story teller

[@Leonchik999.]

Wow guys I'm speechless! You've done hell of a work here. My appreciation to you. Big like and a subscription

[@DrivingTunes]

The car and the video deserve the thumbs up, but YT only allows one thumb up...

[@AppleJack76]

My dad dragged raced his in the early 70's in SoCal, with his German cronies. He was a MB mechanic for 40+ years, in West Los Angeles. My first car was the 280SE 4.5, thanks to him.

[@americaisacontinent.]

Thats the spirit. Mercedes is an iconic brand. When you drive your Benz, always remember that..

[@christopherprose3881]

I saw the Carmudgeon episode that you and Jason did when you talked (profusely) about this car. I had no idea up until that time. It is amazing what kind of vehicle you can get when you combine and engineer with a true car nut. God bless them all! I guess the BMW M5 really got the 'performance sedan' going to a more modern audience, but this one was way ahead of the curve. The color is gorgeous too.

[@blairwilliams136]

I work for MB and still drool when I see segments like this on what this company used to be and how technically and beautifuly designed they were.

[@iluvbrownies64]

Kaum zu glauben, dass ein so konservativer Konzern (Mitte der 60er!) wie DB ein Firmenfahrzeug mit S-EX am Kennzeichen hatte (11:18).

[@grayfool]

Number 1 on my bucket list of cars.

[@Overqualified1]

Wow. I always ignores this car. What a well engineered masterpiece of automotive history.

[@blastoffblue]

Great presentation and respect for the 6.3. I had one in Australia in gold, and some young kids in a racing striped hot rod pulled up beside me at a red light, revving their engine, when the light went green I hit the gas and kept the peddle to the floor which keeps the car in first gear until you ease off. As I pulled into my driveway down the road they went past honking and laughing their heads off. Granddad's car. LOL So unexpected and a blast to drive. The 6.3 on the boot is so understated but I'll bet they all went home and Googled it.

[@allwinds3786]

In June 1977 my brother and I went to the MBCA event at Road America Elkhart Lake and I was lucky enough to have a ride in a 6.3. The chase car was a Shelby Cobra, and the only way it cought up to the 6.3 I was riding in, was at the chicanes they put up for safety of the road driver/owners. Oh yeah, the A/C was on!

[@TheLuisg92]

Lots of praise has been said about the 6.3, but I think this video really makes it the justice it deserves. What a machine that is! “Understated”, built to last, supremely comfortable, easy to drive but brutally fast in pretty much any situation. The team that develop this didn’t compromise in any aspect, they just made it excellent.

[@joecutro7318]

One of my favorite and well-respected cars of all time. This video does it justice.

[@Petrospect]

Can't wait for this one. My most favorite-est Mercedes of all time. And I'm a bimmer boy. Saw it, a bit long on the montage part so I can see why it took such a long time to make. I wasn't expecting praise on the chassis, I thought it was gonna be like the 6.9, a bed with a jetpack strapped to it. I'm impressed. I want one even more now.

[@bobpachner7528]

DTS: take me back. Way back. 50 years ago. Not many 3 pointed stars in the States back then. In fact, in a well known wealthy suburb of NYC there were 5, count ‘em on one hand, MB’s in town. All knew each other by sight. While not a 6.3, we had the same blue color or the test car. 6 cylinder though. No 6.3 but fine for a luxury street car. I learned all about the 6.3 and dreamt about it. Thanks for bring back all those memories about appreciating great engineering and understanding what’s possible to accomplish with “modern cars!”

[@capoislamort1613]

Great stuff! I'm proud owner of a 1970 300 SEL 6.3 since 2005. Happy new year Cheers!🥂🎩

[@EDCMECH]

Best documentary on the 6.3 yet. Well done!

[@jamesstuart3346]

I remember reading the Road & Track article on the 6.3 when it first came out. How did I get this old

[@Ficon]

One of your best films yet! Thank you for sharing!

[@shelbygtsoo]

This Mercedes in all its forms of Sedan, Coupe or Convertible are really kings of cars. So much elegance and beauty in a very subtle and refined glory

[@user-pp2gq8ph4e]

Oh my goodness why can’t there be more of these! Hyphen needs a raise!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

sadly soon all gas cars will be illegal from 2027 on in most states of the USA and EU.

[@benofbrown]

Got to love a fast, understated saloon car with a 6+ litre V8. Mine's a bit later than the legendary 300 SEL though, a Bentley Turbo R.

[@riccardotaccolinimoncosi7435]

I really did not expect it to perform so nicely through the corners, with so little body roll considering the age, and the sidewall of the tyres

[@dogsbark5750]

My grandfather bought one new. My grandmother use to drag anyone who dared. He sold it in 86 because of the cost of replacing the vacuum lines for all the power options. It was the first car I knew to have power windows and I thought it was strange that my Moms Celebrity's windows wined while the old Benz didn't.

[@VAspeed3]

Had an acquaintance who owned one of these back in the 90's. He said it had been Willie Nelson's at one time. I drove it once, alone, and was so amazed at what happened when I floored the accelerator I did it a bunch of times. I know he still drove it 10 years later, but I haven't seen him in well over a decade so I have no idea if he still has it.

[@michaelschneider-]

+1 .. Excellence in automotive journalism on par with the rogue Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 sedan. . Immediately walked to the garage admiring our C-124 '94 E-320 Coupe. .. "Engineering Like No Other". .. Cheers, M/S

[@aomar9449]

Couldn't agree more, brb heading out to admire my 300CE

[@haywoodf]

I've owned my 6.3 since 1988 and it never ceases to put a smile on my face. Kudos for your accurate, thorough and well researched vid. It is indeed a modest and extraordinary car that performs whenever asked and once driven is a never forgotten experience. P.S. Just listened to The Carmudgeon Show - Ep. 46 - The G4B050 transmission to M100 engine has a "fluid flywheel" coupling and that allows one to roll start the car. I live on a hill and have done it many times. Mind you no hydraulic power steering before engine start needs to be considered.

[@sprezzatura8755]

First class video. I had black / tan 1970 600 short-wheelbase. Also had a 6.3 and a 6.9. By far my favorite was the 6.3. I thought of it as a European muscle car. Superb research and execution of this video production.

[@eichler721]

Another amazing video you captured these classics perfectly

[@pymreehal]

My son drives a 300 6.3 and 250 vw and I own 4 190e and w220 v12tt with720 bhp. One of the 190e has a Mazda rotary conversion. Also a w124 with a Lexus 1uzfe to make it reliable

[@carsaregood911]

Always knew the 6.3 was something special but didn't realize to what extent, thank you DTS!

[@Kxji]

I freakin love those old Mercedes, including the mighty Grand Mercedes.

[@gori277]

Proud owner of a measly 300SEL which, despite a very smooth and underpowered engine (competent though) is a marvel to throw around curves, always surprises me how such a big car meant to be stately still handles well more than 30 years later, oh and that build quality!

[@peteralexander1155]

Underpowered? You have the 3.5/4.5 V8?

[@gori277]

@@peteralexander1155 300 SEL I said, 3.0 6 cyl

[@peteralexander1155]

@@gori277 Not all 300 SEL are 6 cylinder cars ( with a 3.0 you have a very first gen there) Enjoy your Merc mate!

[@bonafazius]

@@gori277 So you got the rarest W109 configuration with the 170 hp M189 engine? Take care of that car and its engine. I own a W108 280SE with few options, which makes it very reliable. Few rubber parts to degrade, no ac and a manual transmission. A blast to drive at any speed.

[@coreygolphenee9633]

@@bonafazius reliable but very maintenance intensive. The 3.0 is a lovely 6 though and there cars always turn driving into powerboating. The car hops on keel and sails by traffic

[@jimiverson3085]

Mercedes sedans of that era could surprise you with how competent they were going fast. I helped a friend of mine move from Phoenix to Colorado in the early 1980's. He was driving a rental truck and my job was to get his 280SE sedan there intact. At first it felt kind of soft and mushy, but when you got up some speed the car came to life and was remarkably sharp.

[@nirfz]

I would give this mor thumbs up if i could! The only thing i disagree: "cars like this are everywhere today." I'd say none of them looks like a normal elegant model like this one. The manufacturers skipped elegance for "angry looks" Because sadly most of those who buy them to boast want them to look angry and fast, rather than having a "sleeper".

[@piccalillipit9211]

YES for me the most important line was "the only difference to the standard model is the 6.3 badge. I test drove one i didn't buy years ago and it had a velour interior, it didnt even have a special interior.

[@jennifersman7990]

Very true, I heard that line and immediately thought “Where? Name one?” The great thing about the 300SEL was how ordinary it looked until you saw the trunk lid, Car & Driver correctly said that this was M-B’s idea of a muscle car

[@dansshop]

I agree. I was fortunate just to test drive one once. Cars like that are NOT everywhere today. There maybe a few as fast but they're lacking in so many other ways

[@trellosone]

Great episode! The only reason I came to watch was because I finally caught up on the podcast and heard how enthusiastic Derek was about this car. Love the history behind these cars.

[@JClark-34695]

Kudos to the crew: finally, a video that measures up to the same high standards set by the M-B 6.3 engineers. Beautifully done- thank you.

[@domteewhy52]

Making me watch on cars I never thought I would. Superior content and context. Thank you

[@AGENTARA1]

Beautifully done!!! I have the exact same 6.3 in blue with parchment interior.

[@WelcomeToAir]

Another incredible episode from DTS, and another incredible story I didn’t know fully. Getting the intro in the carmudgeon episode was cool, but getting the full story here was great

[@byronpink9061]

The classic Mercedes and video dynamics are exceptional here. Thanks for sharing!

[@seejayfrujay]

I was fortunate enough to drive one of these several times when I worked as an MB mechanic in my youth. The rear axle could get you in trouble and it made about 8 mpg in town. Being so young, I could not believe I was trusted with this car. Unforgettable.

[@IamCorrosive]

Brings back memories of the one my dad had in the early 00s. I didn't think it was cool until I drove it. Engineering marvel. Great video as always, keep up the great work!!!

[@joshuahenry7482]

Damn Hyphan, you're killing it dude. This video was excellent! The type of nerdery I require from my car content, not shouting and clickbait.

[@uisperfectemail9720]

This is some meta stuff; clicked thinking I was going to watch the video, only to find that I have been put in a waiting room lol, at least this way I’ll always get a good seat, but where is the coffee maker?

[@doctornrsfnly]

Brillant historical review, eloquently presented. This is the aural version of the visual automotive feast served up by carfection... 👏 Bravo! 👏

[@hofthem]

This is just the best video. The photography, old photos and clips, who is the guy driving and narrating? He is really good. Now I know. The 6.3 came out when I was 14 years old. Before that the 600 was, to me this God like thing I will never own, see, and no internet. But I learned every detail about them. The 6.3 took it's place. I bought a factory shop manual. Years before I got a 6.3.

[@danialk8387]

What a delight to see this video. The presentation is remarkable. What a legendary peace of engineering and design. There is a saying quote THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF CARS MERCEDES AND OTHERS.

[@jamescurrie9143]

The only thing you didn’t cover was the 6.3s ability to cruise at 125 mph effortlessly while carrying 4 people and luggage very comfortably. I used to pull a 1,000 pounds of racing sailboat at 80-90 all day long.

[@erkkavilhunen4916]

One of those special Waxenberger tuned cars still exists. It was sold to Finnish magazine publisher who had early analog mobile phone etc. installed into it. He also did some minor racing with it including participated to first ever drag race event held in Finland in 1975 doing 14.42s. It has fender flares and all racing modifications but engine isn't probably most highly tuned variant possible. Its been on display in few different Finnish car museums for years now.

[@TechnoLawyer]

Derek Hyphen, I love your car vids. Please keep them up. I enjoy the explanation of the history of the car in the calming way you speak juxtaposed with the badass car you're describing, and how the videos always end with you driving the car in question. On this particular car, a friend's father had one when I was growing up. His father owned a car shop that worked solely on exotics, and he had one of these in great condition in his garage under a cover. I did get to hear it started up a couple times. Even as a teen, I knew it was pretty cool.

[@HLife719]

Excellent video! Classy presentation with a great narrative including all correct and relevant facts on the background of this fabulous car. Your experience with the 6.3 matches my own. Ever since the car was introduced I’ve been fascinated with this exceptional Mercedes. At first as a ten year old car fanatic and now as a very fortunate owner of a fresh 1970 car.

[@joeleonard9965]

This should get my fix for the time being. My Carmudgeon withdrawals have grown more prominent since Jason's Hagerty uploads have become more infrequent lately.

[@michaelschneider-]

@Joe Leonard .. +1. So true and rather funny. "Carmudgeon withdrwals"...

[@iracema1]

Great report! Amazing period videos. You made me want this car and I had never considered it before!

[@pascutia]

I promised I’d watch this, and I did. Awesome work!! I learned a bunch about this thing!

[@sk8rboy509]

My father just restored his after spending most of my life in a garage. A truly magnificent machine. Well done 👌🏼

[@daiyouga]

What a phenomenal video and story. Thanks Derek. Such a great job on this.

[@vig37]

Beautiful storytelling. Wonderful cinematography. Classy narrating with great enunciation and without any unrelated theatrics and juvenile behavior from Mr. Cammisa. I am a fan.

[@chrisstevens3801]

Wow… what a great video. Thanks for making it. Like seriously, I really appreciate it. Liked and subbed.

[@tomw6719]

DTS, your team has the best cinematography in the business. Well done!

[@markcrounse9919]

Years ago, I worked in one of these. 6.3 is fierce. A brute. In some ways, downright scary. Incredible piece of engineering.

[@dnltbrca]

this series is freakin' awesome. Great job Derek!

[@davudoo]

Excellent script. Excellent voice over. And then all the footage on the road. Thanks for mic-ing that exhaust sound! MORE!

[@TheExtraMile]

What a beautiful video! Thanks for putting this together!

[@subarnosinha8042]

My 3rd favourite Mercedes saloon of all time. Great car, a very well made video too Hyphen!

[@Tshirtguy2020]

You are a fantastic story teller. The background music is great the shots are great and the script is amazing! I will watch the video even for items I never knew I’d appreciate.

[@victorszabo3866]

Really really really good. Very thorough in covering all aspects of the car without putting any unnecessary fluff.

[@Kalepsis]

Great video, Hyphen. I now know I have this car to thank for my 2011 XJL Supercharged, which is superb. Thanks, Mercedes. Side note: you've got to practice reading a script without making it sound like you're reading a script.

[@davidsherley2652]

So well done - excellent video Derek!

[@morphyon]

It‘s flawed, it‘s thirsty, it‘s obsolete. I love it

[@americaisacontinent.]

Suit, tie and a nice watch is what a man driving a Mercedes should look like!!

[@robinjacobs5381]

Absolute classy presentation. Fantastic watch. Keep up the good work

[@Specproof]

A perfect piece as always. Hope you do a similar take on the W116 450 SEL 6.9 in the future.

[@davidsgarage]

Very well done! Great footage. I can't wait to get my 300SEL 4.5 on the road.

[@e46m54nissansr20937]

Tam-Scott great job. Sunglasses🔥Watch🔥

[@tiredoworking9350]

Excellent. And someone else said it, " Hyphen needs a raise!" LOL. Education and entertainment.

[@WordToMomsYo]

Easily the best piece you’ve done.. Simply masterful. The writing, especially.. it doesn’t lower itself to the lowest common denominator, instead it presumes a level of literacy on the part of the consumer.. A breath of fresh air! You’re in a league of your own, DTS… keep up the good work!

[@michaelschneider-]

+1 .. Agreed. Excellent !

[@b0kb0k]

well done DTS

[@richardmahoney9415]

I truly look forward to these reviews from DTS

[@SmallBlogV8]

I'm just having fun imagining a 2021 Mercedes-AMG S63 finishing 2nd overall against GT3 cars at the Spa 24h...

[@indiebekonn]

Not to spoil the fun, but GT3s aren’t touring cars, so afaik there’s no such 24H race at Spa that could be compared to the one in which they achieved that second place.

[@mikeyerke3920]

@@indiebekonn He was imagining… and so was I… Try it, rather than spewing irrelevant facts. Sorry if I sound a little harsh. You’re right though, it will never happen again, but a little bit of dreaming never hurt anyone…

[@05gtdriver]

@@indiebekonn The irony is the car that placed 1st at Spa in 1971 was a Werkes Ford Capri RS2600, who's creators later started BMW's legendary M division when they made the E9 coupe into a Capri(the then dominant car) beater in Group 2 racing in 1973.

[@hiepphambui3941]

Ok massive respect for Derek and ISSIMI for covering this car. Like I actually day dream about owning one of these in a big collection.

[@johnvega5321]

Phenomenal video! You had me all the way to the end.. Fantastic background story that seems completely impossible today :o

[@ecelectic1]

Money quote from the time (I forget which magazine) on the cognitive dissonance of Mercedes having made a car with such stately demeanor being able to rip such fast 1/4 miles compared it to 'John Houseman robbing a liquor store'. If you're too young to remember The Paper Chase, look up John Houseman.

[@poovaneswaransupramaniam19]

Beautiful beast, technical marvel.....agreed it is cars like the 300sel 6.3, that we have high performance luxury sedans...lovely video

[@michaelwbsin]

Love this style of story-telling! Beautiful Bay Area roads too.

[@richardmahoney9415]

Another unbelievably great review boss loved it

[@peterf4552]

Having grown up in the Bay Area, and being involved in the sport of motorcycling, I'm pretty sure I've ripped down the same roads that were shown in the video. I probably drove a 60's era Mercedes-Benz down those roads too, but it wasn't a 6.3.

[@atom999]

Wow a lot of effort went into making this vid, didnt know half the story behind this apart from this being a secret after hours project. Great work

[@simontallboy209]

Awesome video. Loved it

[@donjuan150]

Never knew about this car! Great story telling.

[@Topsnap_Podcast]

This JASON loves this Video!! Great job Hyphen! (Derrick) #letsdoapodcast

[@Geimara]

Great review, great car. Uninaginable that they have created it during 67...Thank you for the work.

[@byinviteonly5214]

Man how I’d love to do this with trucks and suvs

[@mohshinaziz5983]

If there was an award for Best Director and cinematography for youtube car reviews, you would have nailed both. Everything was great. Background music is unnecessary.

[@danielbarry7435]

Beautiful car. The dive under braking has my eyes locked on that low oil pan though

[@thehorsevet]

This is what KZbin content … should be, excellent interesting and engaging content, no click bait , no dodgy home filmed bits thanks for uploading, I appreciated the effort and the quality of this

[@MercedesCL500W215VLOG]

Agreed. What a great video...

[@gregharvie3896]

Hi there from Sydney, Australia. As good as the 300SEL 6.3 is it was beaten to the title of Super Saloon by the giant Jaguar mk10 in 1961 arguably the first global super sedan. The 3.8 liter & later 4.2 litre version had an Ultra High Output option that has seemingly been forgotten, or, is unknown. In base spec' from factory these Bronze head engine cars had a standard output of 295 horsepower. Additionally the UHO cars came with stiffened coils for their 4 wheel coil over suspension, plus really stiff Koni gas shocks , a rear sway bar , plus a way heavier front sway bar. My mum bought a new black one in 1961, replaced it with a late in 1970 with a MERC 280SEC 3.5 Cabriolet which she kept for just 15 months in 1970-71 it gave nothing but trouble she loved it but was an unreliable pest compared to the Black Jag , which gave zero trouble in 9 years & 250,000miles. So she had a legal fight with MB-Australia and they were forced to buy it back off her & basically give her a "refund" , disgusted with it she hunted down a runout model Jaguar , which late in production with BMC-Leyland holding the largest set of shares , caused all jaguar models to be renamed the MK10's being then called 420G's , this car she kept from May 1971 until January 2007 when a truck ran into it and wrecked it, so then she used one of mine . When you ordered a mk10 UHO version , the Buhrman power steering was dropped & fitted with a steering box designed by Australians that normally build aircraft nose wheel steering, Marles Ad-West, when fitted with the Marles-Variamatic box you got 2.3 turns lock to lock , deadly accurate , like a rudder in your hands .I have owned 2 of these fantastic cars as well , a 1965 one & a 1967 one which I still own. These 17+ foot long 2.4tonne cars handle , drive & perform better than most people are aware . When Jaguar introduced the slimmer , shorter, lighter XJ6 in 1968 ,the XJ was a "dumbed" down cheaper version of the bigger car sharing all the main components, engine, diff, rear IRS, gearbox but detuned , with an all aluminium head not the bronze one & a way cheaper rack & pinion steering system which felt a bit vague. Having seen the MK10's being built in the factory in November 1961 as a 6 year old , the MK10's were not a conveyor built car , they sat on giant wooden pallet-dollies & were basically hand built. When I was 40 odd years younger I enjoyed driving my 1965 version over the "blue" mountains behind Sydney & out over the western plains to Bathurst to work on my old house each weekend. On the long & many winding bends to get over the mountains , the Giant Jag was fantastic , better than a lot of bikes from the era , as with the stiffer suspension , there was no body roll , NONE & the car gripped like a leech particularly when shod with the factory correct 6 ply Dunlop SP41 Aquajets with 6ply wall & tread these were stiff like a modern low profile tyre and allowed you to hammer the car with impunity in the bends. Add to this the Jags fantastic 4 wheel disc brakes , with their race style inboard rear disc up near the diff , in a panic stop today in 2022 I worry that a modern car behind will be incapable of stopping anywhere near as fast. Like with the Mercedes you need to drive a loved & cherished example of the Jaguar as well. From a German magazine article from the early 1970's it would appear that when Jaguar had floated shares for it to become a public company , Mercedes sent a number of top people to look over the company & its "books" with the view of buying a controlling interest, however they were shocked when the MB team asked where the R& D department was, the Brit's were a little confused , as basically in the early 1960's Jaguars were created and designed by a core of 8 British Boffins, not 100's as at Mercedes Benz. Their car that impressed Mercedes engineers the most was the mk10, what now is basically the forgotten Jaguar . Mercedes bought 10 of them , some to roll & some to smash test , some to just pull apart & forensically examine them. The 2 things that really impressed them was the complete rear suspension diff & brake system in its cradle or module, plus the impact , crush strength & rigidity of the MK10 monocoque shell. To the point that MB delayed the 600 body program months to incorporate some of their findings from the dissected Jaguar body shells. Strip a 600 & MK10 back to a bare shell then look at the front cockpit/floor, front firewall & engine bay pressings, then remember the Jag preceded the Merc by over 3 years. One of the best things when driving one of these Giant 60's Jags is the factory exhaust fitted to the ultra performance bronze head cars, Aussie made Lukey Neva-Rus systems and with the front windows down you hear a fantastic sonorous growling drone. And as you mentioned with the Mercedes it has a snappy gear change, as the 4 speed MB auto fitted has no torque converter & it went in with a jerk. The early 3.8 litre mk10's had a different auto box a Borg Warner DG . However the later 4.2 litre cars with way more torque received a new Borg Warner type8 , to Ford people it would be like the best bits from a big C4 Cruiseomatic & best bits from a C6 Selectmatic, then throw in manualisation & stall converter etc, with this auto box the Jag's gear changes are also snappy just like the Merc' super quick from gear to gear with no mucking around. Also in the later 4.2 versions in the front you receive 2 "thrones" to sit upon ergonomic & very comfortable made by the Slumberland Bedding company in Britain & covered in the absolute best wet dyed Vaumol breathable leather facings and a forest of beautiful wood work , with no less than 3 tables one that hides under the middle of the dash , and 2 behind each front seat and the rear 2 are huge. In the rear you could sit 3 full sized men , as the MK10 is the widest British production sedan ever. You should drive one, a very good one and not just the ordinary one, a Ultra High Output high compression bronze head car, you will be amazed at the stonking performance & then consider , these were around & available for nearly a decade before Merc' 300SEL 6.3's were created . A few years back at work , I received word that a special event we were hosting was not going as planned , I needed to be on the other side of the city & right quick too, I had taken a young guy whom I had been training I wanted him to see what needed to be done, with my mind thinking ahead , my driving had gone into automated mode whilst I was considering what we would need to do on arrival. I had a momentary lapse where I had forgotten Steffan was riding with me & stuck the boot into the gas & opened up the big luxury car. Steffan also a die hard car nut was a little shocked when the car launched when I started using the auto box manually, He'd been a passenger in it before , however I had been driving it in "docile" mode. Just like the Merc the 4.2 Jag Mk10's have instant power , just sitting hiding waiting to be used , just lurking waiting for the command. That's why I have been driving one for 40+ years, I own other classic cars but the misunderstood giant Jag is the best of all, everytime I drive it I feel as contented as the day I bought my first one in April 1975 . Such a lot of well made car for the cash that a few years later I bought a second near identical one both Cream (old english white) with Oxblood leather (dark maroon), one LHD the '65 & one RHD the '67.

[@coltkiss.45]

that was a good sleeper i drove one in Germany. Nice video

[@bobsmoot8454]

I bought a 69 MB 6.3 in 1976 while living in Nashville for $6k that included a new silver metallic paint job over black leather and rosewood trim. At the time I could kick the crap out of newer Vettes and almost any other car except for the Sunday roaming Cobra, Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari Daytona Spyder that cruised the back roads outside Nashville. I routinely would take on 911s, 2800 CS, etc.. on the one way road in Percy Warner Park at the end of Belle Meade Boulevard and could shame them. Cool sled, still drive the same sort of sleds today.

[@96t5wagon]

Hey there! I know exactly the roads of which you speak about! Great comment!

[@marceloccarmello7978]

ISSIMI Official Team, thank you for the well-produced and presented content!

[@NafaratMiyaMiya]

As a huge Mercedes fan this is top notch content! I want one so bad haha