The W108/W109 full-size Mercedes sedans were wrapping up a successful run in 1972. Introduced for 1965 and receiving a mid-cycle refresh in '67, they were as responsible as any other model for establishing the brand's status as the sedan for the well-heeled and discerning buyer.
Initially the long wheelbase W109 300SEL sedans came with the M189 SOHC 3.0L inline six, but later a buyer could opt for one of two V-8s. First came the limited production 300SEL 6.3, with the M110 SOHC 6.3L V-8 from the company's limos shoehorned into the engine bay, and then in 1969 the regular production 300SEL 3.5 sported the M116 SOHC 3.5L V-8.
For the 1972 model year, the specter of emissions regulations and regular unleaded fuel was hanging over the U.S. market, complete with the requisite reduction in compression ratios.
In response, Mercedes compensated for the compression ratio being reduced from 9.5:1 to 8.0:1 by increasing the engine's stroke 19.2mm, bringing the displacement up to 4.5L. The resulting W109 300SEL 4.5 was a one-year only offering in the US for 1972.
This example was photographed in August of 2020 using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS zoom lens.
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