For the 1969 model year, Mercedes-Benz introduced their first high performance sedan, the 300SEL 6.3. Originally created by an employee of Mercedes who wanted to fit the 600's 6.3L V8 into a W109 chassis, the 300 SEL 6.3 became a full production model. A blend of high luxury, technology, and performance, the 300 SEL 6.3 helped reestablish Mercedes' reputation for performance vehicles. Production of the 300SEL 6.3 ended in 1972, with a total of 6,526 examples built.