A car and its history

Mercedes-Benz wrote car history with the legendary 600s in the 1960s. This car type was a technical sensation in those days, it was the best and most exclusive automobile of the world at that time. Even then it was a rarity: In the 17 years lasting construction period between 1964 and 1981 2.677 automobiles only were produced – 2.189 limousines, 429 Pullmann and 59 Landaulet.

The complete construction and production was made by hand, only the finest materials were used. The Mercedes-Benz 600 was the car of statesmen, the beautiful and the rich ones: used by emperors, kings and heads of state, business magnates, musical geniuses, Hollywood`s glitter and glamour world, even the Apostolic chair drove a Mercedes-Benz 600 in a custom-made Landaulet. In every respect the Mercedes-Benz 600 stands for luxury and nobility.

The Mercedes-Benz 600 “Brezhnev” is part of this exclusivity – the exclusivity for individualist. The first registration took place in Moscow in 1968, the Soviet Secret Service KGB was the official holder. After the registration the automobile became part of the private vehicle fleet of Leonid Iljitsch Brezhnev, who was the state leader of the USSR for 18 years1 – 14 of the 18 years of leadership the Mercedes-Benz 600 was the companion of Brezhnev. He drove the car privately during his period. The Mercedes- Benz 600 „Brezhnev“ is a rolling history book, like one piece moving contemporary history as well as Soviet history.

„One piece moving contemporary history“

That matter also makes the car like that unique. In 1964 when Brezhnev came to power the Vietnam War raged and the “Cold War” was at its peak. Brezhnev shattered the “Prague Spring” with tanks; the Brezhnev-doctrine put the states of the Eastern Bloc with a hard hand on the lead. In the 1970s clouds of hope rose internationally: The CSCE process began. Policy of détente, arms control, contracts were concluded. Brezhnev met Richard Nixon, Brezhnev met Jimmy Carter, Brezhnev met Henry Kissinger, Brezhnev met Willy Brandt and twice he met Helmut Schmidt. In June 1979 Brezhnev and Jimmy Carter signed the SALT II treaty in Vienna. Firm handshake, close embrace, peace within reach.

And after that the sudden end. Half a year later, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. This was the end of the policy of détente. The western world boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow. The fingers were back on the red button. It is the time of the NATO double-track decision.

In the year of Brezhnev ́s death, in 1982, Helmut Schmidt was overthrown as the dederal chancellor by a constructional vote of no confidence from the Bundestag. A significant epoch came to its end. And the Mercedes-Benz 600 “Brezhnev” was as part of the personal vehicle fleet always present.

The drivers of today can feel the breath of history. The Mercede-Benz 600 “Brezhnev” is unique, steeped in history and exclusive.