Mercedes-Benz S-Class IV (W108/W109) photos

The Mercedes-Benz W108 and W109 luxury sedan line debuted at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show under the design guidance of Paul Bracq. Moving away from tailfins, the body adopted timeless horizontal proportions with a lower beltline and expansive glass area. Standard-wheelbase W108 models used steel coil-spring suspension, whereas extended W109 (SEL) long-wheelbase variants came standard with self-leveling air suspension and interior burr walnut trim.

Engines initially comprised smooth 2.5L, 2.8L, and 3.0L inline-sixes equipped with mechanical fuel injection or twin carburetors, later augmented by powerful 3.5L and 4.5L M116/M117 V8 engines. Automotive history was created in 1968 with the launch of the iconic 300 SEL 6.3 (W109), engineered by Erich Waxenberger by shoehorning the 250 hp 6.3-liter M100 V8 engine from the 600 Grand Limousine into the lightweight W109 chassis. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds with a top speed exceeding 220 km/h, it became the fastest production four-door executive sedan in the world. Equipped with power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and optional air conditioning, total production reached 383,000 units before concluding in 1972.