1978 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

SLC450 5.0 Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

10702612000250

Clear

Gasoline

The most collectible version is the 450 SLC 5.0, the first Mercedes-Benz car with the new light alloy 5.0-litre engine and hood (bonnet) and trunk (boot) lid both made of aluminium, recalling the 1972 'Batmobile' BMW 3.0CSL. The 450SLC 5.0/500SLC coupes were produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1978 to 1981 and are the rarest post-war models ever produced by Mercedes Benz. They were manufactured by Mercedes Benz to homologate the 450SLC for road rally purposes. Some cars were campaigned with factory support, but the rest of the production was sold to the European market to meet homologation guidelines. Fewer than 100 cars were imported into the United States as grey market cars during production. A few more cars were brought into the USA during the 1980s as a one time "personal" exemption. No one really knows how many of these cars still actually exist, but most estimates are that less than 100 road worthy 450SLC 5.0 and 500SLCs still exist in the United States at this time. This rare model was never sold in the US, and it is estimated that fewer than 200 are still in service worldwide. The 450 SLC 5.0 was introduced in 1978 and it differed from the stock 450SLC in that its hood and trunk lids were crafted from aluminum. Also included were front and rear spoilers which resulted in better aerodynamics and a higher top speed of 142 mph. This model was also the first application of the aluminum/silicon alloy V8 engines. Lighter in weight than the standard 4.5 V8, it produced 240 (DIN) horsepower (over 300 HP in today’s SAE HP terms). Chevelles, Cameros, Novas, etc are like a$$holes. Everyone's got one. Buy this, be original, and eat those cars up! I bought this with a friend to restore. Niether of us have time to give it the attention it deserves. My title is a 1979 with a date of 1/79 on the door tag. MB model year cutoff is in March I believe, therefore the last cars in the '78 model year were manufactured in early 1979. US DOT importation documentation often is not in agreement w/ the actual MB model year. In addition, cars were often re-badged when they were imported. That must have had something to do with a 500 SLC seeming to be more impressive than a mere 450 SLC 5.0. It is a european or grey model with a 3 speed transmission and engine block serial number 117.96.12.000.200. Owners manual is in German as is the instrument panel. It has 185,000 kilometers (115,000 miles) on it. The exterior is in good-fair condition. The interior is in fair to poor condition (radio missing, some tears in the seats). Drive train is fantastic. Amazing power and smooth ride. Very impressive. I have video of it running and driving in my driveway. Email for more pictures or information.