Anybody out there have a 450SLC 5.0? How do you like it? Is it manual or automati? Know of any for sale? Going prices? (Note that at the 5.0 version differed from the standard 450 SLC issue in that, among other things, the engine displacement was raised to 5.0 liters from 4.5; hood, doors and deck lid were made of aluminum; the cars were european delivery only; horsepower was factory rated at 250.)

John

There's a great article on this car in the Sep/Oct Star magazine. Apparently the 450 5.0 was made '77-'79, and in '80 and '81 they made essentially the same car, but named it (appropriately) a 500SLC.

As to use of aluminum, it was used for the hood, trunk lid & rear splash pan. They also sported a small black rubber spoiler on the trunklid.

Lastly, the 500SLC had a different motor, which was the first Mercedes aluminum motor (the 450 5.0s were bored out 4.5 motors) and it also came with a 4-speed tranny (vs 3-speed on the earlier cars).

Good luck with your search!

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

I have a 1977 euro 450SLC 5.0L that car has some kick I can tell you must be the fastest 107 SLC made car. This car handles and flys like a rocket. The fastest Ive gone in this car was 140MPH. When I get a chance ill post some pictures of her, she has that rubber spolier in the back that this version car got and front spoiler and small bumpers to bad who ever had the car before me put US lights and couldnt leave the Euro ones on. The car says it has 190,000 miles on her I hope its true. The tranny is as smooth as can be and the AC acutally still works after 24 years. If I had the money I would restore her to showroom condtion considering that this car is so rare. Shes not bad but could use some body and interior work done. Who ever had this car before me didn't really take care of it, it seems. Im planning to probably sell her because I just dont have the money to fix this beautiful car. I put in 16 inch performance tires and some nice Ultra rims, you will love the car when you see the pictures. Ive raced several cars with this car and I haven't found anyone able to catch up with me especially with the kickstand or kickdown special button thats under the pedal of all mercedes automobiles atleast to my knowledge. I could be on 4th gear going 80 miles per hour push the kickdown button jump to 2nd or 3rd gear and watch those RPMS fly, almost like a stick shift but all in how you push the pedal. The only problem I had in this car was that I had to change the water pump, flying wheel, and thermostat, and of course oil change, new brakes, shocks and stuff. Oh ya at 140MPH the car didnt shake or anything it was unbeliveable and the handling was superb, I wont be doing that anytime soon again. I did it when I first got the car with 14 inch wheels. it seems that when I put the 16 inch wheels I get a little scared I go 80 in these tires and I feel like im going a hell lot faster maybe the speedo got screwed cause of the big tires size who knows. If anyone be willing to make a endorsement to fix this car, it would be great I want to take this classic to a auto show or something, lol like that would ever happen dreams .

I saw one of these on Ebay not too long ago. And there was one for sale here in california that someone put a 6.9 engine into, so I'm sure if you keep looking one will turn up. I think they are really cool, too, and if I had unlimited resources I would add one to the stable along with a 6.3, G500, and 6.9. Well okay maybe a new clk55 too.

How many of the SLC 5.0 were made?

I, too, have a preference for this fine automobile; an ex-neighbor of mine had one and he kept it immaculate. I looked for one about 2 years ago - but had no luck in finding one. I would like to acquire one in a year or two, just to have a second car... well, OK - a VERY NICE second car.

I rarely see the 450SLC on the road, here in Northern California. What gives? Either their owners are recluse -
or they are all out golfing, wine-tasting, and touring!

Sad to say I have seen three SLC's in U pull it style distmantlers in the last year or so. What really bothered me that only one was wrecked. I guess with the resale value of these wonderful cars being so low, $10,000 driver style restoration is out of the question for sane people. Not me hehe.

__________________
Happy Benzing
Darryl, Hill
2005 SL55 AMG Kleemanized
1984 500 SEC
1967 W113 California Coupe
[SIGPIC]
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/myphotos

First, the 450SLC 5.0 is NOT a bored out version of the 4.5 iron block. It is/was the prototype ALUMINUM engine used to homologate the car for European rallying and get service feedback before going into full series production. It is unique in that it is the only aluminum V-8 that fits the 3 speed transmission. It has a slightly larger bore (I believe ½ millimeter) than the later production engines used in the 500 series cars. The smaller bore size for the 1980 & up engines allowed for more cooling passages between the bores to avoid cracking of the block, which was a problem on the 5.0 cars. I know. I have a cracked 5.0 block in my garage. I converted to a later 500 engine & 4 speed transmission in my car. The M-117 960 & 961 are the “bad boy” engines with more power & torque than the later engines, although officially rated at 240 horsepower and 278 foot pounds.

There were only a few 5.0s made in 1977. Note that was the manufacture date, the model year was officially 1978 through 1979 for the 5.0s. 1980 & 81 cars were labeled as 500SLC, and they came with the production version of the engine & a 4 speed trans.

There were NO factory cars with manual transmissions, although I did here of some customers converting to manuals.

The other unique features for these cars besides the aluminum panels, is the first iteration of the anti-squat rear suspension geometry. The trailing arms are made of aluminum as well – not steel as in the other cars.

Quite a few of these cars made it over here during the Grey Market heydays. They were considered to be gas hogs in Europe, and when the SEC went into production, the SLCs were not ‘in’ any more. There loss is our gain.

So, W107BenzW123MB, if your car has a 4 speed transmission as you said – the motor has been changed in your car at some point in time. Remember, the transmissions will not bolt up as an exchange between the 5.0s and the 500s. I would love to get more information on your car! What is the VIN number? How much rust is there? (in all fairness, it really is a question of how much, not ‘is there any’ – These gems were in Europe after all.) Where did you find it? Etc., etc.

In summary, these cars, either 5.0s or 500s, are wonderful beyond words. The lighter weight on the front end gives much sharper turn-in capabilities than the iron block cars. The better front-rear weight distribution allows the car to understeer much less, and the hundreds of pounds difference in overall weight makes for higher lateral acceleration; not to mention straight line acceleration – although not a 0-60 rocket, from 60-120 they are faster than contemporary 911s & 928s of the same era. Again, I know – I had a 77 911 that I put a 3.0 SC engine into. The SLC would easily walk away from it, and the cops don’t even give you a second look. Drive the 911 3 mph over the limit & you’ll see red lights in your mirror. But I digress….

The five liter SLCs are such excellent cars on so many fronts. Fast. Comfortable. Stealthy. Cheap. Yes, cheap. Everyone wants an SL. Not me. I’ve seen convertibles when they are upside down and it’s NOT a pretty sight. Plus the structural integrity of the SLCs is tremendous. The floorpan & rocker panels (although longer) are the same design as the convertible SL. Add a roof to that structure to triangulate it, and WOW. Panzerwagen.

The relative cheapness of SLCs in general is why you don’t see that many on the road; many are cannibalized for parts for SLs, plus the SLCs did not sell in anything NEAR the numbers of the SLs. They were the most expensive cars in the Mercedes Benz lineup when they were produced, except for the special order 600 limos.

OK, enough already – my fingers are starting to bleed


1978 450SLC 5.0 (the Rustbucket)
1980 US 450SLC (the Slug)
1973 Euro 350SLC (the Beater)
Plus a few other non MBZ cars, therefore insignificant.

There is a 450 SLC 5.0 for sale at Silver Arrow Automobiles in Putney. There is a short article about it in this month's Thoroughbred and Classic Car. Apparently this is a very special car. The garage has a website, something like http://www.silverarrows.co.uk

They want a lot more money for it than most of these undeservedly unpopular cars go for, but then it was something of the CLK 55 of its era.

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190