1978 Mercedes 450 SLC

Description

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• 4.5 litre V8
• Stored for around 25 years
• Only four former keepers
• Mileage believed to be genuine
• Located in Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire

Refinement, performance and superb German build quality. The Mercedes 450 SLC has it all.

The equipment level was characteristically Mercedes. Power steering, disc brakes all round, central locking and powered windows, as were standard with the usual solid engineering baked in.

With the number of good condition survivors dwindling rapidly, it is good to see the SLC now getting the market recognition it deserves.

Background and history

Mercedes announced the SLC at the 1971 Paris Motor Show as a fixed-roof version for the SL Roadster R107. The SL did have the option of a removable hardtop for the SL roadster, but customers wanted a two-door luxury coupe version. The SLC featured a longer wheelbase than the SL, turning it into a more practical 2+2 model with a rear bench seat. It was a smash hit. The 450 SLC was easily the most popular, outselling the smaller engine models by nearly 2:1.

• First registered 5 January 1978
• Only four previous keepers
• After been stored for around 25 years, our vendor purchased it in 2017
• He has brought it back to the condition it is in today

Inside

Mercedes-Benz made the SLC longer than the roadster so that it could fit a bench in the rear. Thus, the two-seat roadster was able to host four occupants, just. The list of standard features was long.

• The dash, carpets seats and door cards are all in good condition
• Factory sunroof
• Electric windows
• Air con
• Blaupunkt radio-cassette
• Dark walnut veneers
• Minor wear to driver’s side seat outer bolster
• Carpeted luggage area
• Full size spare wheel
• Tool roll and warning triangle

The 450 SLC was fitted with cruise control from new. Our vendor tells us that it is not currently working however as the lack of cruise control has never bothered him when driving the car, he hasn’t investigated the issue further.

Mechanicals

The SLC received a 4.5 litre V8 engine at the launch, which was a sound move.

• M117 engine
• SOHC with duplex chain
• Aluminium cylinder heads
• 237 bhp
• Top speed 140mph
• Four speed automatic
• Front suspension is double wishbones, coil springs with stabilising bar
• Rear suspension is diagonal swing axle, coil springs, stabilizing torsion bar with anti-squat device
• Disc brakes all round

The original London based Main Dealer service book is with the car. The service book states the last service was carried out at 87,009 where the ‘valve stem oil seals’ are recorded as being replaced.

Outside

At the front, the SLC featured the same front end as its sister car, the SL.

That easily recognisable front silhouette – with a black grille, three-pointed-star badge and a chromed horizontal slat. Its period amber coloured corner-mounted turn-signals were raised on the rear side. Mercedes-Benz designers cleverly hid the extended cabin space by adding a fixed glass panel behind the rear side windows.

Our vendor picks up the story of this SLC:

“I have owned the car for several years now. It was purchased as a project after being stood for around 25 years. Much of the work has been carried out by me. It has had a paintjob and presents well but is definitely not concours. There is a good amount of history with the car, and it runs very well.

There is the original stamped service book and a folder with handbooks. 

The paperwork also shows that the car was off the road for an extended period of time”.

Summary

Mercedes have a well-deserved reputation for top quality engineering and very good design.

The styling of the 450 SLC is proof of that. It has matured into a class of its own, a beautiful practical Grand Tourer. The 450 SLC offers more space and functionality than the SL while still retaining many of the elegant design features.

As availability of good SLCs declines, this one, reserved very sensibly, looks like a great opportunity to grab one of Mercedes’ best classic cars before values skyrocket.

Vehicle Location: Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire CB21 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Mercedes 450 SLC? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

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