3. Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 (1968-1972)
When the 300 SEL 6.3 premiered at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, few expected a full-size sedan to boast a 6.3-liter V8 churning out 250 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Weighing nearly 4,500 pounds, its air-suspended chassis allowed a 0-60 mph sprint in just under 7 seconds—astonishing for a car of its size.
Inside, Nappa leather seats and burled walnut trim were standard, and climate control kept occupants comfortable at speeds over 130 mph (electronically limited). At roughly DM 32,000 (about $8,500 then), the 300 SEL 6.3 earned a cult following as the world’s fastest luxury sedan, inspiring later AMG performance models.