1973 Mercedes SLC
Discussion
Hi CdeG, as you've name checked its fleet predecessor I thought I had better check in!
Looks great - I've been a passenger in an SLC but never driven one, but they certainly have a presence and an almost unique style. It's a pity the A124 has to go as they make a nice pairing - I think the SLC could be the better long term bet as so many were scrapped while they lived in the roadster's shadow there's so few left now.
Looks great - I've been a passenger in an SLC but never driven one, but they certainly have a presence and an almost unique style. It's a pity the A124 has to go as they make a nice pairing - I think the SLC could be the better long term bet as so many were scrapped while they lived in the roadster's shadow there's so few left now.
n_const said:
I really am hankering after an older Mercedes again and you , 0a , strela and r129sl are really not helping the situation.
That motley crew are very bad examples. Don't listen to any of them!r129sl said:
I regret selling mine, but then I regret most things in life.
Monday morning pathos from the architect of all our MB pain. wolfracesonic said:
Always wondered, are those privacy curtains in the rear windows or just a fixed louvre type affair?
It's a clever design cheat to disguise the fact that the rear windows don't fully open. I really like them, and they somehow make the rear and rear-threequarters visibility seem even better; goodness know how they achieved that, but it works. Stegel said:
Hi CdeG, as you've name checked its fleet predecessor I thought I had better check in!
... I think the SLC could be the better long term bet as so many were scrapped while they lived in the roadster's shadow there's so few left now.
This is partly your fault - if you hadn't bought the SEC I definitely wouldn't have bought this! There's a logic there, surely? But yes, pity about the A124 which I know I'll miss. It's still in the classifieds actually:... I think the SLC could be the better long term bet as so many were scrapped while they lived in the roadster's shadow there's so few left now.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
The power figure of 200 was gleaned from my Spotter's Guide to the W107 (C107 in my case), but actually the delightful pack of original documentation in the car gives a figure of 225. Awesomeness abounds.
In any case, the point of these old things isn't power or performance, but avoiding bankruptcy.
In any case, the point of these old things isn't power or performance, but avoiding bankruptcy.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
And after a decent clean (I'm very much a sponge and soapy water kind of chap, I don't do detailing)
Love this comment. Fully agree with you on this! Cars that have been obsessively detailed with exotic-sounding products look great, but I'm happy to get 80% of the result with "ordinary" car shampoo and a sponge.The SLC looks great, the interior in particular looks immaculate in the photos. Good purchase.
The SLC has a foot-operated windscreen washer switch. I expect that all 107 owners know this. Except me.
Having washed the car and prepared it for the show, I found myself at traffic lights and needed to get something out of my pockets, but was confused by the unexpected and frankly unwelcome squirt of soapy water all over my screen.
At least the squirt-facilty works I suppose, and I proved that every day really is a school day.
Having washed the car and prepared it for the show, I found myself at traffic lights and needed to get something out of my pockets, but was confused by the unexpected and frankly unwelcome squirt of soapy water all over my screen.
At least the squirt-facilty works I suppose, and I proved that every day really is a school day.
By starting the thread at the point of collection, I've rather missed-out the scary bits of work that were required to be done before it reached the standard it's at now.
Many will be aware that the bulkheads on these can rust out and it isn't necessarily an easy fix. Luckily, although mine needed work it wasn't structural. Some of the before pictures looked frightening.
The specialist was very into photographic records of his work, so I got before, during and afters.
Many will be aware that the bulkheads on these can rust out and it isn't necessarily an easy fix. Luckily, although mine needed work it wasn't structural. Some of the before pictures looked frightening.
The specialist was very into photographic records of his work, so I got before, during and afters.
The under-body and sill welding, and bonnet strip and respray, was around £1500 in total. All necessary work of course but not that satisfying to pay for.
The bonnet looks good here:
but I'm a little disappointed in it overall on the car. I realise that with all the other structural work the paint was probably done fairly cheaply, but it looks very slightly rippled. Much better than it was - it really was pretty badly cracked - but far from concourse.
The bonnet looks good here:
but I'm a little disappointed in it overall on the car. I realise that with all the other structural work the paint was probably done fairly cheaply, but it looks very slightly rippled. Much better than it was - it really was pretty badly cracked - but far from concourse.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
The power figure of 200 was gleaned from my Spotter's Guide to the W107 (C107 in my case), but actually the delightful pack of original documentation in the car gives a figure of 225. Awesomeness abounds.
In any case, the point of these old things isn't power or performance, but avoiding bankruptcy.
I am surprised by that - I thought the 450 produced 225 bhp. If it is correct, it probably makes the 350SL more powerful than the 380, which was IIRC 218bhp. 200 was quite a lot in the 70s and the 107 doesn't weigh much by modern standards!In any case, the point of these old things isn't power or performance, but avoiding bankruptcy.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
The SLC has a foot-operated windscreen washer switch. I expect that all 107 owners know this. Except me.
Having washed the car and prepared it for the show, I found myself at traffic lights and needed to get something out of my pockets, but was confused by the unexpected and frankly unwelcome squirt of soapy water all over my screen.
At least the squirt-facilty works I suppose, and I proved that every day really is a school day.
Your car looks fantastic OP. Having washed the car and prepared it for the show, I found myself at traffic lights and needed to get something out of my pockets, but was confused by the unexpected and frankly unwelcome squirt of soapy water all over my screen.
At least the squirt-facilty works I suppose, and I proved that every day really is a school day.
(Well, ignoring the rotten bits before they got sorted). 
So far as the washers go, it could have been worse - in an SL you'd have got wet if the roof had been down!
I've always liked the looks of the SLC, and your posts are always entertaining - thanks for the insights.
Then I saw your 320 CE was for sale (but then I saw it was a convertible)
So at least I avoided getting drawn back into old Benz's - well for now!From what I remember the 280 was rated at 185 bhp, the 350 at 200 bhp, the 450 at 225 bhp and the 450SLC 5.0 at 250 bhp, but I may be wrong (brochure is in the loft)!
That colour scheme with full leather must be one of the best combinations they did - keep enjoying it.
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