The W116 Mercedes S-Class built from 1971 to 1980 was in many ways what put Mercedes at the top of the heap in the world of European luxury cars. Our AutoHunter Spotlight for the day is perhaps one of the most desirable versions of the U.S.-market W116 S-Class cars, a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SE. It is listed by a dealer in Commerce City, Colorado, and the auction ends January 30, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. (MST).
The W113 was not just designed from the beginning to be the best car in the world. It pioneered a number of safety ideas, such as crumple zones, as well as a dash and steering wheel designed to protect the driver in an accident. The W113 in 1978 was also the first production car to feature ABS brakes.
The top-of-the-line model in the W116 S-Class was the 450SE, powered by a 4.5-liter M117 SOHC V8 that featured 225 horsepower, quite a bit for the time. This gave the car a top speed of more than 120 mph.
The interiors of the W116 featured the best-quality materials, with most models sporting leather seats, air conditioning as standard, and a build quality unequalled by any manufacturer in the world at the time, with the description of the fit and finish often compared to that of a bank vault. Offering some of the best build quality of any car of the era, it firmly positioned Mercedes as the brand that built the finest cars in the world.
Finished in white over a red leather interior, this W116 is now offered by the selling dealer with service records and a clear title.
Judging by this car’s exterior, it seems as if it is a bit of a time capsule. The paint and brightwork look excellent, the glass appears to be flawless, and all the indicator lenses are in good shape as well. The small bumpers on these early W116 S-Class sedans only help to make it look amazing, especially when compared to later U.S.-market examples. The car rides on correct 14-inch factory steel wheels with correct painted Mercedes-Benz hubcaps.
If anything, the interior looks even better than the exterior, with the contrasting red leather being the perfect color choice for a white car. I see no wear anyplace, and the car still has its original Becker radio. The only flaw I could detect was the weird addition of an aftermarket horn button. Personally, I would do away with this immediately.
Under the hood is what you would expect from a nice example of a well-kept Mercedes S-Class. The engine bay has not been detailed to show-quality, but everything looks clean, correct, and tidy – even the hood pad, which I am guessing has been replaced at some point.
The odometer shows 28,677 miles at the time of listing, but the title states the car is mileage-exempt. Based on the condition of this 450SE, that could well be original miles; I would reach out to the dealer for more info. I would also ask what work had been done and whether the car still has its original paint and interior. If it does, that only adds to its desirability. Judging by condition of the body tag (pictured below), with no overspray of any kind, makes me think this could well be great example of an all-original W116 S-Class.
If you have always wanted to own a great example of one of the finest European luxury cars of the 1970s, this 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SE may well be that car. If you want to add it to your garage, you had better bid soon, though: The auction for this stunning Mercedes ends on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. (MST). Early examples of these cars do not come up too often, especially ones this clean. I would not want to miss it.
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