Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
example of this original southern California family owned 1981
Mercedes-Benz 380SLC 2 door hardtop coupe with a factory sunroof
and heated rear window in absolutely beautiful condition throughout
and boasting only 66K original miles, this model was by far most
expensive model of the entire Mercedes line up of 1981, including
all of the legendary Mercedes SL series, and which sold for an
original MSRP of $47,853 ($138,629 CPI for 2019!) compared to
$40,127 for the same year 380SL roadster! Mercedes Benz released
two iconic models in the early seventies, the 450SL two seater
roadster and the 450SLC two door coupe and these cars were the
ultimate status symbol of their day, symbolic for their era of
exclusivity and immediately identifiable by their uniquely original
styling. They were to create a cult following which has continued
to this day. They were sold as the R107 SL roadster and the C107
SLC coupe with the coupe model wheelbase lengthened by 14" to make
room for the rear seat passengers in a fixed pillarless
superstructure above the 2+2 cabin, whilst still incorporating its
sports car dynamics. The 450SLC was built in very limited numbers
in comparison with the roadster and was one of the most expensive
and exclusive coupes ever made and which involved into the even
more expensive and exclusive one year only and final year of
production for the SLC model - the 1981 380SLC with only 3,789
built (compared to over 31,739 450SLC's; 66,298 450SL's amp; 49,347
560SL's!!). These rare Long Wheel Base coupes offered the
sensations of a true sports car but with the refinements of a four
seater grand touring coupe! The SLC was introduced in 1972 as a
coupe variant of the R107 chassis and built to be competitive in
the long-distance rallies popular in Europe. Legally, 500 had to be
built to homologate the SLC for competition. Compared with the SL,
the wheelbase grew to 110.8 inches from 96.9 inches; overall length
was 196.4 inches against 182.3 inches; weight was 3,817 pounds
compared with 3,487 pounds. The turning circle of the SLC was 36.7
feet, that of an SL 33.5 feet. The coupes steel hardtop of was not
removable. The SLC had rear seats that could hold two medium-sized
adults all 13.9 inches of added wheelbase was behind the doors.
Larger rear quarter-windows had vertical louvers angled for driver
visibility. American market cars had air-conditioning, power
windows and door locks, leather interior, and a 3-speed automatic
transmission as standard. A power-operated sunroof and heated rear
window were optional. This rare one year only (1981) example was
purchased new by is original and only southern California from the
Mercedes-Benz factory in Sindlefingen, Germany, the home of
Mercedes-Benz and a small town about 10 miles from downtown
Stuttgart where Daimler-Benz had it's assembly plant. The owner
purchased the car from the factory and then shipped it to Los
Angeles, southern California from Frankfurt on 7/9/1981 where it
was then serviced at the Mercedes-Benz dealerships in southern
California, primarily at 'Jim Slemons' of Newport Beach, under full
warranty and the car will be sold with all its documentation
including original import documentation, window sticker, purchase
orders, Mercedes-Benz letters, original handbooks, Protecto-plate
and owners manuals and all service records showing that at no time
was any expense spared on this particular car's preventive
maintenance and it is quite obvious that this spectacular example
was always garaged with no accidents or rust and never smoked in!
The original and factory 'Classic White' color (code 737) paint is
in very fine condition and the striking and very rare and unique
'Sienna' (trim code 237) leather interior is also in gorgeous shape
with virtually no signs of real wear! The car has its original
chrome and legendary Mercedes 'Bundt' wheels which are also in
exceptional condition. Please note that the car's original 'Becker'
radio has been replaced by a 'Sony' CD player.The car's factory
options include: automatic transmission, power assisted steering,
power brakes, tinted glass, cruise control, electric window lifts,
electrically heated rear window on hard top, fully independent
suspension, power assisted four wheel disc brakes, limited slip
differential, automatic antenna, Halogen head and fog lamps,
working automatic air conditioning with climate control and central
locking. The car had the electric sliding sunroof option ($749) and
the 'Becker' Grand Prix radio. The car drives exactly like such a
well maintained and serviced Mercedes should and must be seen and
driven to be truly appreciated. The engine is extremely strong with
no oil leaks, the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears
and the temperature always remains cool. All the options are
working as they should. The car has a recent California smog
certificate. Without doubt, this is one of the finest classically
beautiful designs built by Mercedes-Benz, probably the last
classically beautiful series they built which are now at long last
becoming more desirable and collectible than ever before -
certainly you will look long and hard to find anything close to
this example, with such a striking color interior, full
documentation and one southern California owner since new with only
66K original miles!