11. Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
The mid-’70s were dark times for performance models all around the world. Muscle cars were almost gone, sports cars’ power output was reduced to ridiculously low levels, and performance sedans were virtually extinct. However, in 1974, Mercedes introduced the 450 SEL 6.9.

Continuing on the idea established by 300 SEL 6.3 several years prior, the 6.9 was a bigger, more massive, more advanced model with impressive performance hidden in the formal body. With 268 HP and 405 lb-ft of torque, it was one of the most powerful automobiles you could buy in the mid-’70s.