79 350slc

[CDRAGONS]

Just bought 350slc manual shift Euro car. Can anyone tell me why I have 2 round headlights instead of the one large rectangle one I see when I look on the internet for information. Also I don't have a right hand mirror. Is this the way the car was orginally and where can I find one.

[jstreeter]

its been converted from euro to usa headlight spec. I assume you have a MPH speedometer , too.
My '78 350 slc 4 spd is velour interior/man windows/singlemirror. the 350slc's didnt come with a lot of options.
you can email the MBUSA classic center and they can get the original build sheet for your car, if you dont already have it.
you can get the headlights on us or german ebay.

[Earlybird]

They didn't make a 78 350 slc. only a 72 350 slc. In 73 it turned into a 450 slc even though the engine stayed the same. Am I right here or not?

[Earlybird]

Or was Germany cranking out Euros with 350slc still attached in 78?

[page62]

Originally Posted by Earlybird

They didn't make a 78 350 slc. only a 72 350 slc. In 73 it turned into a 450 slc even though the engine stayed the same. Am I right here or not?

I think the 350SL/SLC stayed in the Euro model lineup through the 70's.

[ctaylor738]

There is a 1980 350SL for sale on oursl.

[jstreeter]

in the USA the '72 350SL 4.5 became the '73 450SL. In europe they had a 280sl/slc, a 350sl/slc and a couple others (500,300) we didnt have here. My grey market was orginally sold in belgium, sez MBUSA .The 280sl could have a 4 or 5 speed, while the 350sl/slc had a 195hp, 6000rpm short stroke 3.5L v8 with a 4 speed manual and 3.46 rear gears.

[jstreeter]

They sold the 3.5 in europe from '72 to '80. it changed from D-jetronic(?) to CIS injection in '76, just like the usa cars. Mine has cat converters, MPH spedometer, USA headlights, and a "colorado state VIN" ...the original number plate has been removed. The original MB vin is on the rad support,tho. Probably more than you ever wanted to know about 350sl's
-john

[CDRAGONS]

Thanks for the info.Been on vacation.All the paper work the original owner , us air force capt bought the car in Italy new, tittle say 79. He brought the car in to u.s in 85.Right now I am trying to get emergency break shoe for it. I dont even know it should be 450 or 350 parts.

[cth350]

Anything not under the hood should match the US cars.
-CTH

[CDRAGONS]

Thanks for the info.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by cth350

Anything not under the hood should match the US cars.
-CTH

quite a bit under the hood will be the same as us too.

tom w