Vehicle Description
Throughout the 70s and early 80s, compact, lightweight machinery
like Ford's world-beating RS Escort, the Lancia Stratos, and the
Fiat 131 Abarth dominated the World Rally Championship. In the late
1970s, Mercedes-Benz announced their entry into the world of
international rallying, but with a somewhat different approach,
aiming for glory in the highly specialized, grueling, long-distance
marathon events such as the East African Safari and Ivory Coast
Rallies, where bulletproof reliability and outright speed counted
more than nimble handling. Following the unexpected success of a
280 E in the 1977 London-Sydney Marathon, the German team decided
that the powerful and robust C107 (the stretched, four-seat cousin
to the R107 SL roadster) would be the perfect tool for tackling the
stages. To transform the luxurious grand touring 450 SLC into the
450 SLC 5.0 homologation special, they fitted an enlarged,
all-aluminum 5-liter version of the venerable M117 V8 engine, which
made 20hp more and weighed 88lb less than the iron block
equivalent. Additional weight savings came through the fitment of
light aluminum doors, boot, and bonnet lids, and other improvements
included wider Bundt wheels, a more aggressive rear-axle ratio, and
a distinctive rubber boot-lid spoiler. Despite its
competitionraison d'�tre,the SLC 5.0 was still a highly-capable
grand tourer, with all the luxury trimmings expected of a four-seat
car costing more than a Ferrari 308. The formula worked, and while
its rallying career was short, the SLC 5.0 won the Ivory Coast
event twice (sweeping the top four positions in 1979) and became
the first car with a V8 and automatic gearbox to win a World Rally
Championship event. Unfortunately, outside of the long-distance
marathons, the SLC struggled to keep up with lighter, more compact
machinery on more traditional Continental rallies, and
Mercedes-Benz shifted focus to sports car racing later in the
decade. This gorgeous example is one of 2,769 5.0-liter SLCs built
and was first delivered to a buyer in Amsterdam, later spending
many years in an extensive private collection based in Switzerland.
Handsomely presented in its factory-correct shade of Astral Silver
(735) over a dark blue velour interior (code 902), the car appears
remarkably well-preserved, with fewer than 70,000 kilometers shown.
The body is crisp, beautifully straight, and exhibits the precision
quality that defines Mercedes-Benz cars of the era. The subtly
purposeful looks are enhanced with correct European headlamps,
proper wide Bundt alloys, and a discreet boot lid spoiler. This car
is well-documented with the original books/manuals, Swiss
homologation papers, partial service records, and a factory data
card. While "homologation special" typically conjures images of
stripped-out, bare-bones hot hatches with just enough to qualify
them as road legal, the 450 SLC 5.0 is quite the opposite. The
interior is richly appointed in high-quality velour upholstery,
deep pile carpets, and wood trim. This car features manual windows,
an original Becker Mexico Stereo Cassette player, automatic climate
control, cruise control, and even a sunroof! The materials appear
original throughout the cabin and are in superb condition,
reflecting this car's cherished existence. Controls, instruments,
and switches are all in good order with minimal wear and typical
Mercedes-Benz build quality. Thanks to the lightweight all-alloy
V8, performance is punchy yet very well suited to high-speed
touring. Records show that the car received a correct replacement
engine from a Mercedes-Benz Service Center in Amsterdam on August
3, 1981 and regular annual services and maintenance were performed
while in the care of the previous owner, and it is in excellent
mechanical health, appearing well-maintained and authentically
detailed under the alloy bonnet. Easily one of the most fascinating
and remarkable production Mercedes-Benz of the period, the SLC 5.0
is significant not only for its specification but for the fact that
it marked the legendary German company's return to factory-backed
motorsports. None were officially imported to the USA, making this
a rare opportunity for any Mercedes-Benz or motorsport enthusiast
to acquire for their collection. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7451-1979-mercedes-benz-450-slc-5-0-coupe/
