1980 Mercedes-Benz

SLC, Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

WDB10702612001513

Gasoline

Here are a few writings about the rare 500SLC and 450SLC 5.0 Mercedes Benz At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1980, an updated version of the 107 series roadster and coupe was presented; the equipment of the interior (including at long last the steering wheel) had been brought up to the standard of the S-Class sedans - as had the cars technology. The former 3-speed automatic transmission was replaced by a 4-speed version, and the light-alloy engines of the S-Class were built into the 107 series models in slightly modified form. There were very few external differences to its predecessor; the main external cosmetic change being the addition of a black plastic rear spoiler. Suspension upgrades included the use of a double wishbone axle with coil springs and anti roll bar at front and a diagnol swing axle at rear. Larger brake pads were also introduced, and with that their longevity increased by over 30%. Interestingly, the new model 500SL and SLC's engine developed the same horsepower rating as the legendary 300SL from almost 30 years prior. Even acceleration times were near identical, the new model SL and SLC beating the older model by only .6 of a second, attaining 0 - 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. As with the SL, this was the first model SLC that allowed the owner to option ABS. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 500SLC on Hemmings The car we see below represents one of the rarest post-war Mercedes-Benzes to be produced. They were manufactured to homologate the 450SLC for rally purposes. Fewer than 100 cars were imported into the United States as gray market cars during production. A few more were brought into the US during the 1980s as a one time “personal” exemption. 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). In 1980, the 500SLC replaced the 450SLC 5.0. A four speed automatic replaced the previous three speed box and a smaller diameter steering wheel came standard. With only 1,154 units produced, this was the rarest of all SLC modes produced. The Mercedes-Benz C107 coupe was built from 1973 to 1981 and was always badged as the 'SLC.' It was an elongated version of the R107, most commonly known as the '450SL.' It was also Mercedes-Benz's most expensive and top-of-the-line offering in the years it was produced, barring the custom order W100 600 series. Like R107, under the skin the SLC was virtually a W114 with a larger engine, and styling cues from the contemporary S-Class. This approach to developing low volume models, while not particularly interesting, proved far more profitable that the clean sheet design approach of certain contemporaries, like the Citroën SM. The SLC succeeded the saloon-based SE coupes and convertibles of the 1960s. The SLC's wheelbase was stretched and the car received a fixed roof. Some feel the SLC suffered in terms of styling, being only a very large luxury coupe built as derivative of an SL and not of S class. Most criticism was directed towards the louvers in front of the C-pillars which, no doubt, were added to mask the fact that the full size windows could not retract completely. In the US, the SLC was further burdened with very large bumpers, far out of proportion to the design. In Europe there were 280/350/450/450-5.0/500 SLCs, in the US a 350/450 SLC, and later a 380 SLC, when the price of oil became a concern. The 1981 successor to the SLC had been inspired by SLC (front section) but was an entirely different type of car - a large 2 door sedan with a more cohesive design. The new SEC was based on the S-class introduced in the autumn of 1979 (W126). SLC production reached 7,000 units in good years, with the United States absorbing the majority. 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. 1978–1981 500SLC V8 (Created for a Rally Version, initially known as the 450SLC-5.0, up to 1979, then as the 500SLC) My dad has decided to sell his prize 500SLC after 25 years. We don’t know a lot about the cars first five years, but the last 25. My dad worked as a local banker with a short commute amounting to low millage of 160K. Shortly after we purchased the car my mom had my dad remove the original trunk spoiler and had the trunk repainted. Some of the special features of the car are the wood shift knob, 15’’ BBS, Nardi steering wheel and headlight wipers. The car came with blue velour interior and we changed it to a vinyl interior in ’93. It’s been a great daily driver, when my dad retired in 96’ it has been driver very little. The last five years it has sat. I drained the fuel out of the tank and replaced the fuel pump, plugs, cap and rotor. As I was driving it the odometer decided to just start clicking and went to 500k some thing in about three miles. The over condition in the car is below average. The engine can use a valve job and new exhaust crossover pipe. New interior would do wonders and the exterior needs paint work. However it is a complete car. The car does have some rust around one headlight; a part of the windshield, above rear window, sunroof area and the bottom where the jack enters is the worst. I hate to just poo poo the car, but want to be as accurate as possible. I think she is a fixer that runs , but sound like a tractor with the cross over exhaust pipe holes. Yes, this does have the aluminum engine, hood, trunk and the 026 headers. It has all mats and carpet too. I will put the speaker back in and the cover on before it goes out. Just a little FYI, this car is still faster and handles better than the shinny 1988 560Sl we have next to it:) We have always thought it was a 1980, apparently it is a 1979. The WA state title says 1980. It may be a 1980 manufactured in 1979, I don't know. The great guys on Benzworld translated the Vin for you: Your car is actually a '79 5.0 SLC. The other number you referenced from the tag on the radiator support is the 'chassis' number - which is really just a sequence number for that body during the '79 model year. Your VIN number is 1513. Here's the option list from the VIN decoder.... 930 silver blue metallic (? 01.01.1979 ?? 31.12.1984, ? 1994) Options 260 hydraulic piston pressure reservoir for countries with low temperatures (? 01.09.1964 ?? 31.07.1965) elimination of model designation on rear lid (? 01.05.1968) 261 special parts warm air intake against carburettor icing (? 01.01.1961 ?? 31.07.1966) elimination of model designation V12 (? 01.11.1973) 410 electric sliding roof (? 01.03.1965 ?? 29.02.1988) 466 central locking system (? 01.04.1970 ?? 31.10.1993) 461 + 464 (? 01.10.1966 ?? 31.12.1966) 462 + 463 (? 01.07.1968 ?? 31.08.1969) 502 outside rear view mirror, on the right (? 01.01.1963 ?? 31.03.1983) 532 automatic antenna without radio set (? 01.01.1963) 570 folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (? 01.04.1970) front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest 583 electric window lifters (front doors) (? 01.04.1970) rear seat bench with folding armrest (? 01.01.1963 ?? 28.02.1968) 590 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), Germany heat-insulating glass, windshield (? 01.01.1967 ?? 31.01.1971) green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - Germany (? 01.01.1972) 600 headlamp wiper/washer (? 01.08.1971) trim strips on hardtop (? 01.04.1963 ?? 31.07.1971) 812 rear-mounted loudspeaker (? 01.11.1974) Please ask questions. The car is at my parent’s house in Handsville WA and can be brought to Seattle. If you would like to see it please give me a day or two to get over there to set an appointment. Thanks, Greg I would like to have the car removed in a week after auction. A deposit of $500 immediatly required after autions-end, so I know your serious. You can pay the balance at pick up or is it is transported we will work out details. Greg-206.251.5015