The Story of California Phil & His 450SLC

A beauty in its element.

Phil from the Golden State found Automobiles de Luxe while searching the Internet for articles about the Mercedes-Benz 450SLC.

In “Retrospection: The Lost Mercedes-Benz 450SLC,” Phil shared his own experiences with the S-Class coupé and some insights as to what’s posted on line. All of which is re-posted below. Enjoy. I did.

I was in high school hot-rodding 60′s Corvettes and SS Chevelles when the 107 / SLC first came on the scene in 72.

I remember thinking what a butt-ugly pregnant guppy look they had, but then nearly all cars were ugly at that time. I think it was because the 107 SL was so perfect looking . . . and in fairness I had hair down past shoulders, regularly flipped-off cops, and smoked pot at school.

And I’m pretty sure the establishment this car was meant to be the pinnacle of really couldn’t care less what my tastes were.

Years later now, the long hair gone, and other anti-social behaviors now limited to weekends and holidays, I still build hotrods, but I don’t hear much about the SLCs anymore . . . unless someone is fawning over mine in a parking lot.

My SLC is a Lapis Blue 81′ with Navy leather. She has 124,000 original miles and is nearly flawless – including the original paint. I recently updated the entire driveline, climate control system and suspension.

She’s now powered by a massaged late 117 CIS-E motor (high compression 5.6L) and transmission, later rear member with LS diff, Euro 500 SLC springs, ABS brakes, etc.

After countless hours of work, I recently ran her on a chassis dyno at my friends Mercedes shop – he specializes in hotrodding 300SL gullwings for vintage racing. 314hp at the wheels.

This is not bad for a normally aspirated 5.6 on pump gas. The car now accelerates to 60 in about 5 seconds, and has a top speed of just under 150. My brother is now officially pissed. His late M5 just can’t keep up, and that makes me feel good all over.

This is the quietest, most refined ‘sleeper’ I’ve ever built, and I’ve come to appreciate the fact these were the last of the virtually hand-assembled cars prior to Mercedes going to full automation.

The 107s are also the last Mercedes cars made up of components designed to be repaired and rebuilt rather than just replaced.

A few bits of trivia for fans of these cars:

In 1981 – the last year of the SLC, it was the most expensive production model Mercedes offered in the US. It was even more expensive than the 6.9 sedans that are now so rare and valuable. Mine was just over $47,000 at that time. Adjusted for inflation this is the equivalent of about $113,000 today.

The SLC was the only coupe Mercedes has built since the 300SL Gullwing that was based on the roadster chassis platform. All others were based on sedans.

The 1981 380SLC was lighter than the SL roadster, and was the lightest SLC ever offered in the US. Only the Euro 500SLC homologated for rally racing was a lighter car.

Besides 81’ being the first and only year offering an all alloy engine in the US, the SLC also had aluminum hood and trunk lids. The Euro model for racing got aluminum doors as well in 78’.

The 81 SLC had by far the lowest production numbers of all US 107 models.

81 SLCs are finally beginning to appreciate in value, with NADA and other classic car valuations presently assessing a high book value of over $19,000.

Mercedes is finally bringing back the ‘SLC’ moniker. The new generation super coupe is due for release in 2010 or 2011. It will be powered by a 5-600hp V12 and will once again be the most expensive production Mercedes available.

Here’s a fun video of the old SLC AMG coupe enjoying a good German fawning-over, alongside it’s era contemporary, the BMW CSL Alpina Coupe.

http://streettuners.vidiac.com/category/BMW/0/511a75ad-c54a-4326-ae53-987600ff5eea.htm

I also have to say, the funniest comments I have ever read about a particular model of car on the web have been made about the old SLCs.

Do a search at Jalopnik, MB forum, etc – you’ll cough up your kidneys! Comments like:

“Nothing gives me the urge to do a line of coke on some part of a hooker’s body more than seeing a picture of this car . . .”

or:

“let’s face it, performance number aside, this car was principally conceived with the purpose of shuttling the élite from glamorous location to intimidating tower and back. And it performs this duty quite admirably. .”

One of my own comments at an MB forum:

“I used to live next door to stock broker whose trophy wife drove one of these. In the beginning I thought she was clearly better looking than the car, but over time the car proved more reliable, and certainly got better looking with age.”

Phil
Balboa Island, ca

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Thanks, Phil.

Have your own story you’d like to share? Send it my way: gunnar@automobilesdeluxe.tv