If you were old enough in the 1970s and 80s to observe some aspects of European tuning car culture, you would inevitably have been exposed to the likes of highly modified cars known as  Koenig Specials. These vehicles were often already respectable performance vehicles in their own right, but Willy König would have felt differently. Combining enhanced performance with wild fiberglass widebody kits and wings, the culture around Koenig Specials has endured, and his custom creations remainly highly sought after. This is a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC coupe that was modified when nearly new and used in a major German motion picture. Find it here on eBay  for $49,000 or best offer.

The appearance of this car is quite timely for me on a personal note; I was closely watching an auction in Alabama for a Mercedes 280SLC with the same fixed-roof coupe bodywork but a DOHC inline-six versus the V8 found in this car. It occurred to me the the C107 is seen in the wild far less frequently than the R107 convertible, and that the coupe bodywork actually transforms this into a striking vehicle. Combine that with the absence of a B-pillar and you have a very attractive design that does wonders for the proportional balance of one of Mercedes’ most recognized models. And then when you add a widebody kit to it? Well, it’s a highly subjective take, but I love it.

Koenig Specials were almost entirely fixated on better performance and the obvious bodywork enhancements, so this Mercedes does have a custom performance exhaust fitted. Inside, the red leather and corresponding carpets and door cards are all in excellent condition, as is the unique KS Italvolanti steering wheel. The seller is none other than The Patina Collective, which has amassed one of the world’s most incredible collections of special one-off Mercedes like this one as well as a bevy of desirable pre-merger AMG cars (and one of everything else); we always love seeing what they post for sale next.

The 4.5L V8 engine produced 225 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque and in certain markets, could be ordered with a 5-speed manual. The car shown here has the expected automatic transmission, but due to being a European-market example, it could be making a few more horsepower than the standard USDM rating. It still won’t feel particularly fast – that wasn’t the point of this model – even with the upgraded exhaust system. Owning a genuine Koenig Specials isn’t for wall flowers and is certainly an acquired taste, but there’s no denying the impact the company had on the European tuner scene. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find.