1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SLC - SOLD

VIN: WDB10702612002353

Mileage: 168,658km (Dec 21, 2023)

Colour: DB876G - Cypress Green Metallic

One of 1,133 5.0L 500 SLC produced to Homologate the C107 for international motorsport.

300,175 R107 Roadsters and C107 Coupes produced from 1971-1989

62,888 C107 SLC Coupes produced from 1972 to 1981

1,636 450SLC 5.0 produced from 1977-1979

1,133 500SLC produced 1980- 1981

M117 4,973cc SOHC V8 240hp @ 5,000rpm, 296 lb/ft torque @ 3,200rpm

4-Speed Automatic

9.0:1 Compression Ratio

Curb Weight: 3,340lbs

Top Speed: 225km/hr

0-100km/hr: 7.8sec

The 5.0L M117 V8 engine was new for Mercedes-Benz in 1977 and featured all aluminium construction with deeper skirts around the main bearings for increased rigidity. The 5.0 engine was first mated to the 3 Speed automatic MB gearbox in the 450SLC 5.0, but it received the 4 Speed auto for 1981 when the model name was changed to the 500 SLC. The engine was later found in European top range Mercedes in the 1980's.

The 5.0L SLCs were never sold in North America, though some did make it over as grey market imports. In addition to the new aluminium engine, the 5.0L SLCs received aluminum bonnets, boot lids and air cleaner assemblies. They all featured European lights and bumpers. The Aluminum block saved 40kg vs. the 4.5L M117 Mercedes V8, and the other weight reduction items saved a further 60kg, making the 450 SLC 5.0 and the 500 SLC about 100kg lighter than the 450 SLC.

The 450SLC 5.0 was homologated for the 1978 FIA Rally season, and was very competitive, especially in the longer, tougher events.

From Wikipedia:

"In 1978 the factory prepared two examples for the one-off Vuelta a la América del Sur, a month-long event of some 7,000 kilometres in length that took the competitors from Buenos Aires and back via Rio, Manaus, Caracas, Bogota, Lima, La Paz, Santiago and Ushuaia. The car driven by Andrew Cowan and Colin Malkin won by 20 minutes from team-mates Sobiesław Zasada and Andrzej Zembrzuski.

In 1979 a 5.0-litre 450SLC driven by Hannu Mikkola won the Bandama Rally in Côte d'Ivoire, with others finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th. That same year the factory had used the 450SLC '5.0' to contest the Safari Rally, only narrowly missing out on victory because of suspension breakages. Nevertheless, the car driven by Hannu Mikkola finished 2nd."

About this car:

This 1981 500 SLC was sold new in Switzerland and traded back to the selling dealer where, in 1997, it was purchased and imported to Canada by the current owner. It has lived in the Crowsnest Pass area of southwestern Alberta since, and accumulated about 85,000 highway km since coming to Canada. It was regularly serviced by the selling dealer in Switzerland from 1981 to 1997, and then from independent specialists while in Canada. The car received replacement fuel and water pumps in 2002, and received a major service in 2016. It has been used sparingly since.

The car retains most of its original Cypress Green Metallic paint, though the drivers side front and rear fenders have been refinished; the front fender in Europe and the rear fender in Alberta during the current ownership (a scratch was fixed from a garage incident). A paint meter report is shown in the YouTube video. The car is not rusted and has a very clean undercarriage.

The interior is completely stock apart from an aftermarket sound system that features a removable sub-woofer in the trunk. The dash is un-cracked and the interior materials are free from rips, or stains. The burlwood veneer is un-cracked and unbleached.

The car drives nicely and has terrific power from the 5.0L V8 - it is much faster than the North American 450 SLC's. The Automatic gearbox shifts positively with no slippage. The steering box has no excessive play and there is no vibration from the steering wheel. The brakes have good bite and slow the car with authority. The car tracks straight, and the suspension has no knocks or other evidence of wear.

A weak area for Mercedes-Benz 107 cars is the automatic climate control and in particular the servo which is a known problem that is expensive to fix. This car has the manual climate control with AC delete, which sidesteps that concern. The climate control works perfectly in this car.

Mechanically, the car is due for its next service, at which point there are a few items which could use attention. The tires, though showing no signs of wear, are more than 10 years old and could be replaced. The bottom of the engine also shows evidence of an oil leak.

These 5.0L SLCs rarely come up for sale. Many were driven very hard in Europe and have rusted away. This car has been extremely well preserved, and has never required any invasive rust repair. It retains most of its original finishes.

This is a rare opportunity to bid on a very rare and signifiant Mercedes-Benz, that can also be used as a practical classic.

For more information contact Lawrence Romanosky, 403-607-8625, Lromanosky@me.com, www.romanoskyauto.com