Pick Of The Day: 1999 Mercedes-benz Cl 600

Going for a fast drive in a sports car is enjoyable. So is top-down cruising in a convertible. But sometimes wouldn’t you want to cover long distances in a big, luxurious, powerful car? Our Pick of the Day was built for that. You can find this 1999 Mercedes-Benz CL 600 listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Mesa, Arizona.

Several years ago, I had the privilege of testing the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 560 4Matic coupe. During my week with it, I fell in love with its sculpted bodywork, lavish interior materials and features, and potent twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. The final-generation S-Class coupe was a wonderful car, but it lacked the sheer presence of its first-generation CL-Class ancestor — and the dramatic, defined lines of the Bruno Sacco era of Mercedes-Benz design. Even in black, which can make a car more low-key, this CL 600 has an authority to it. Not everything from the 1990s has aged gracefully (frosted hair, for instance), but this car has. The fact that it’s a large pillarless coupe makes it even cooler, with its chrome AMG wheels heightening its visual swagger.

There was no AMG or Maybach version of the C140 CL-Class, so the CL 600 was the flagship model. That meant it came standard with features that were optional or not available on the V-8-powered CL 500, such as the Adaptive Damping System, two-tone Nappa leather seats, leather trim on the dash and door panels, suede-like headliner, leather- and walnut-trimmed steering wheel, and a power rear sunshade. You can see some of those on display in this ’99 CL 600’s Parchment interior, as well as the condition of the seats, controls, and wood trim. It’s looking pretty sharp for a 27-year-old car with 65,729 miles on it!

Another thing my 2018 test vehicle didn’t have that this one does? Twelve cylinders! As its name implies, the CL 600 is powered by a 6.0-liter V-12. Its four-valve heads help it pump out 389 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 revs, all processed by a five-speed automatic. Pin the throttle from a dead stop and the big-bodied Benz will ride a wave of smooth power to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.

We’re getting closer and closer to more pleasant temperatures and the leaves changing colors. This 1999 Mercedes-Benz CL 600 would be the perfect vehicle for an out-of-town trip or a local weekend getaway. For $41,995, you can decide just where to take it.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com