Among certain parts of the car hobby, there are loyal followers and collectors of the world’s so-called homologation cars. These are vehicles that manufacturers produce in limited batches to sell to the public to essentially certify that the car being used in a professional racing series is the same basic vehicle a consumer could buy out of the showroom. Although not a common practice today, it was fairly normal in the 70s and 80s for major automakers to sell a few hundred or thousand cars to the public in support of a racing program. The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL 5.0 listed here on eBay is an exceedingly rare car, listed for $49,000.
Believe it or not, Mercedes wanted to go rallying in the 70s and 80s, and it used the C107 model as the way to do it. It was a strange sight to see a heavy, luxury-focused coupe tearing up some of the worst roads in the most far-flung places, but it turns out the 450SLC was actually quite capable. Its best asset was its durability and reliability, rarely encountering a mechanical fault that couldn’t be repaired on the side of the road. The best asset of the car, however, was its stunning all-aluminum 117 V8 engine that 240 b.h.p. and weighed in at 88 pounds under the iron-block version of the same engine.
In terms of reliability, Mercedes’ success with the SLC at the World Rally Championship should be measured not only on the stoutness of the drivetrain but on the depth of support services the company had at its disposal. In addition to running a small fleet of SLCs, Mercedes also had Unimogs stationed at particularly muddy spots to help tow drivers out along with helicopters and other aerial support to transport parts and tools wherever the team needed them. There’s even an anecdotal story about a rally participant losing his brakes and a Mercedes support helicopter flying in an entire rear axle assembly that was bolted onto the car in 20 minutes!
The car shown here is believed to be one of just 40 examples allocated to the U.S. market and one of 1,400 units built worldwide. In addition to the engine, other weight-savings measures were undertaken throughout the car’s structure, with Mercedes utilizing alloy body panels throughout. These weigh-savings measures shaved 125 lbs. of the car’s curb weight, which was no small feat for a vehicle and brand that places an emphasis on bank vault-like construction. Even with its rally car DNA, the interior is still a lovely place to spend time and you can bet this SLC will be a treat to drive pretty much anywhere. $49,000 is the asking price, which doesn’t surprise me one bit when you look back at past auction sales for other examples of this limited-production homologation car.
Great looking car! It would look even better without all the Armor-All slathered all over it. Dealers tend to do that. What I like best about this SLC is , Mercedes took a lot of weight off it but didn’t do away with the creature comforts that a lot of homologation cars did. Especially, that interior is gorgeous.
I had the baby sister to this , a ‘77 280 SLC. Beautiful cars, and that inline 6, was no slouch.
a rather aggressive price for the ugly sister of the SL. the SLC was NEVER a desirable car, always sells for less than the 2 seater. add to it over 100 on the odometer (that we know of since it was probably changed when federalized). and a gray market car, too. demerits. wishing the owner luck, but my guess is that it will sell for a fraction of the $50M asking.
Wut? Ugly? I must retort. Have you ever owned, or driven one?
Thank you. Jack. I used to be in the “…the SLC is ugly…” camp until I owned one. In fact, I told my favorite M-B show owner to find me a late-model 560SL roadster when he called me to come to the shop and take a look at something. It was an English Red over red leather interior 1976 450SLC, and I could have crowned him. “Go drive it” is all he said in response.
I came back, and all I asked was: “How much?”
I owned the car for 5 years before selling it earlier this year. I realize now I should have kept it because I miss it.
You can see pictures of it and the selling price here:
https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1977-mercedes-benz-450slc-136960/sold
The 500SLC is rare and desirable. I imagine it will sell to the right person for close to the asking price.
To MBZ’s credit these cars are Not the same as a 450SL of the same era because of the lightening and the wonderful 5.0 motor. Much more admired for their performance, rarity and rally heritage in the European market where they trade for much more of a premium. An actual rally car went for $175,000 euro and fine examples of the homologated cars go for $50-60k when they come to market.
You are right, the proportions look off. Long hood and roof, short trunk lid. Mercedes cars generally looked great, not this model.
Steve R
Maybe not ugly but certainly oddly proportioned for a coupe. The roadster looks better.
like the AMX, this (formerly only following the 300SL/Gull Wing) is another BF has afforded me a second look (‘passed both by’ ‘in their day’, ‘wrote them off’ back then). And in doing so I have become a fan, something I try to thank the channel for when ever able (Petrolicious’n others are fine too, but BaT I stop- ped a yr or 2 ago).
As an i6 fan I like these from the ’55 (W121) 190SL & others right up to about ’93 when they went over to the 32 valve bent6. C107 was about 10 yrs of the ‘70s.
Mercedes also slotted out the frame rails to further lighten the rally versions. I own one of the earliest publicly sold versions, a 1978 No. 14, but needing a full restoration that I may get to some day, but I’m still saving for what will be a really expensive undertaking. This car seems expensive today, but when you mix in the rally history with the rarity, this would make for a “tuck away for later” when these may get more recognition.
I’ve driven exactly like this one 25 years ago. I can remember thinking it was awkward and drove like a tank, and who would spend big bucks for this? It was so unimpressive I didn’t bother to look up its history.
After reading this writeup I’ve changed my mind.
There was a 450SLC 5.0 for sale in Riner Va maybe 10 years ago with an asking price around $5k. It sounded like quite a deal so I went to check it out. Unfortunately it was in bad shape. Rusty, ratty interior and the fancy engine had a very concerning knock. But a rare beast indeed.
I have always loved the looks of the early small bumper SLs. (Beauty is in the eye of the beholder). Had no desire to own an SLC, simply because it’s a coupe. Wandered across a ‘72 450SL with a very reasonable number on the windshield. Opened the hood, and cracked up! 200 Ford 6! I’m a Ford guy as well – figured it was a sign. Thoroughly enjoyed my Fairmont in MB clothes. Leisurely is the polite description of the “performance”, but we had a blast cruising with the top down. Intended to do a 5.0 swap, but sadly, it was destroyed in a fire before I got around to it.
I own a cherry ‘83. 380 SL. Love it. A cruiser not a streaker. That’s their purpose. This MB is not that. Overpriced.