1979 Mercedes 450 SLC
Discussion
Joining the classic car club after many years observing it from the outside.
Not to everyone's tastes but I love it. 180k miles, the 'right' colour, leather dash and interior. Built in South Africa and imported in 2001 so it has avoided 22 years of British drizzle. It drives like an ocean-going liner and any speed humps on my road have been rendered inert by the suspension.
Currently being tidied up to the standard I would want as it was a little tatty inside. Looking forward to a spring roaring around London and Kent on a Sunday prior to runs in the direction of Le Mans and the Monaco classique. It sounds like an aircraft.
Any insight into 107 SL ownership welcomed.
<edited to replace broken image link>
Not to everyone's tastes but I love it. 180k miles, the 'right' colour, leather dash and interior. Built in South Africa and imported in 2001 so it has avoided 22 years of British drizzle. It drives like an ocean-going liner and any speed humps on my road have been rendered inert by the suspension.
Currently being tidied up to the standard I would want as it was a little tatty inside. Looking forward to a spring roaring around London and Kent on a Sunday prior to runs in the direction of Le Mans and the Monaco classique. It sounds like an aircraft.
Any insight into 107 SL ownership welcomed.
<edited to replace broken image link>
Edited by paulyv on Wednesday 5th August 00:12
paulyv said:
TR4man said:
That's a very useful thread thank you. I bought my car in much the same spirit having never been inside one prior to rocking up to buy. I know one should spend time looking at different examples and weighing up such decisions, but I often find I am too impulsive for my own good. I think I got off lightly with this one but I am sure there are 'surprises' lurking.Thanks for your kind words.
I'd love to have a good look over yours at some stage actually - the like-with-like comparison would be useful. Please do keep posting photos and thoughts.
I'll have an update to my SLC thread next weekend.
Strela said:
I wrongly plumped for an overtly glamorous SL over an ambiguously discreet SLC and have never quite resolved the issue. Without wishing to misportray myself, the dilemma always reminds me of Withnail and I: " I think the carrot infinitely more fascinating than the geranium. The carrot has mystery. Flowers are essentially tarts. Prostitutes for the bees. There is, you'll agree, a certain je ne sais quoi oh so very special about a firm young carrot."
In terms of a similar sentiment, although perhaps less funny, I said the following on my thread: The trick of course is never to sell it. That may well be an option; I really like it and heartily recommend them to anyone with deep(ish) pockets and an overwhelming desire to have the unfancied sibling of the prettier and more desirable (but common, natch) floozy that is the SL. Why does an old 107 SL or SLC make us reach for the vaguely sexual analogy I wonder?
Lovely to hear from you all.
I guess I first came into contact with the SLC model 7-8 years ago when I really started to notice SL's outside of reruns of Hart to Hart ("it was moider"). Those metal louvres in the coupe caught my eye and I have never really been one for a convertible, at least thus far in my life. Atop this there is a wonderful looking 350SLC which lives on Bedford Square in London, just around the corner from where I have been working for the past few years. I work in a business which takes me to all the major car shows, and despite seeing the latest models year after year, something about that silver SLC parked just five minutes from work persisted.
In January my 80 year old Dad, David, passed away and after settling his affairs myself and my sister were in the position of selling his Lincolnshire bungalow. His avid interest in all things mechanical and our shared interest of cars throughout our time together meant it a fait accompli that more than a little of my inheritance was going to be 'invested' in a modest classic and I am so pleased to say this is the one. He would have loved it, and I will always have the pleasure of figuratively tipping my hat to him whenever I clamber into 'The Duchess' as she is referred to.
I found her on Ebay, one of a few which I browsed online, and what I thought was a cheeky offer well below the asking price after a first viewing was accepted, and that was that. As I mentioned I am not one for hanging around, against better judgement, and I bought with my fingers well and truly crossed.
Overall time appears to have been kind to the bodywork, but the interior was tired with some of the wooden centre trim hanging off, some missing heater levers, and a smell which immediately took me back to when our family owned an ex-West German Unimog around 1980. A whiff worthy of an agricultural tool, but not of a 450SLC. The South African cars were shipped out there in kit form and built by a third party, apparently with some differences to European-built models. The quality seems the same but the glass is apparently of some heat-repelling type, and from what I know it appears common to have electric windows in the front but manual in the back. All had air-conditioning. Doubtless I will find several other differences after I attempt to raid parts bins for replacements.
After driving the car home she was immediately taken to Chris at CB Restorations in Plumstead who has had dealings with several of my cars, including a lovely partial restoration of my MR2 MK1. The Duchess has been with him for 4 weeks now, although she isn't being worked on constantly there. A full service has taken place, all fluids changed, spark plugs etc, and currently the interior is being thoroughly cleaned and repaired. It's my wish that before Christmas I can get back on the road without fearing my clothes will smell of the car some 24 hours after clambering out. There may be some issues - I am not convinced the kick-down is working correctly, the lights in the dash have failed, a little trim missing here and there, and the front fog lamps have mysteriously vanished. Oh, and NO HISTORY WHATSOEVER! I mean, what's the worst that could happen?
As for the experience I think we all know 'ship-like' covers it. What that doesn't impart however is how I feel like the king of the road when pottering about, every jab of the volume pedal accompanied by a rather lazy but compelling burble and roar of a very smooth 4.5 litre V8 engine. When called upon she is more than willing to hitch up her skirt in a game effort to keep up with the younger kids and once she does there's no stopping her.
Pictures to follow. Have a lovely weekend.
Pauly
<Edited to replace broken photo link>
I guess I first came into contact with the SLC model 7-8 years ago when I really started to notice SL's outside of reruns of Hart to Hart ("it was moider"). Those metal louvres in the coupe caught my eye and I have never really been one for a convertible, at least thus far in my life. Atop this there is a wonderful looking 350SLC which lives on Bedford Square in London, just around the corner from where I have been working for the past few years. I work in a business which takes me to all the major car shows, and despite seeing the latest models year after year, something about that silver SLC parked just five minutes from work persisted.
In January my 80 year old Dad, David, passed away and after settling his affairs myself and my sister were in the position of selling his Lincolnshire bungalow. His avid interest in all things mechanical and our shared interest of cars throughout our time together meant it a fait accompli that more than a little of my inheritance was going to be 'invested' in a modest classic and I am so pleased to say this is the one. He would have loved it, and I will always have the pleasure of figuratively tipping my hat to him whenever I clamber into 'The Duchess' as she is referred to.
I found her on Ebay, one of a few which I browsed online, and what I thought was a cheeky offer well below the asking price after a first viewing was accepted, and that was that. As I mentioned I am not one for hanging around, against better judgement, and I bought with my fingers well and truly crossed.
Overall time appears to have been kind to the bodywork, but the interior was tired with some of the wooden centre trim hanging off, some missing heater levers, and a smell which immediately took me back to when our family owned an ex-West German Unimog around 1980. A whiff worthy of an agricultural tool, but not of a 450SLC. The South African cars were shipped out there in kit form and built by a third party, apparently with some differences to European-built models. The quality seems the same but the glass is apparently of some heat-repelling type, and from what I know it appears common to have electric windows in the front but manual in the back. All had air-conditioning. Doubtless I will find several other differences after I attempt to raid parts bins for replacements.
After driving the car home she was immediately taken to Chris at CB Restorations in Plumstead who has had dealings with several of my cars, including a lovely partial restoration of my MR2 MK1. The Duchess has been with him for 4 weeks now, although she isn't being worked on constantly there. A full service has taken place, all fluids changed, spark plugs etc, and currently the interior is being thoroughly cleaned and repaired. It's my wish that before Christmas I can get back on the road without fearing my clothes will smell of the car some 24 hours after clambering out. There may be some issues - I am not convinced the kick-down is working correctly, the lights in the dash have failed, a little trim missing here and there, and the front fog lamps have mysteriously vanished. Oh, and NO HISTORY WHATSOEVER! I mean, what's the worst that could happen?
As for the experience I think we all know 'ship-like' covers it. What that doesn't impart however is how I feel like the king of the road when pottering about, every jab of the volume pedal accompanied by a rather lazy but compelling burble and roar of a very smooth 4.5 litre V8 engine. When called upon she is more than willing to hitch up her skirt in a game effort to keep up with the younger kids and once she does there's no stopping her.
Pictures to follow. Have a lovely weekend.
Pauly
<Edited to replace broken photo link>
Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 4th August 23:45
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Great to see another SLC fan; the linked thread is indeed mine. I'll be following your experience with interest, especially as they are getting pretty rare now. Yours looks great; congratulations on the buy.
I'd love to have a good look over yours at some stage actually - the like-with-like comparison would be useful. Please do keep posting photos and thoughts.
I'll have an update to my SLC thread next weekend.
If we ever find ourselves in a close vicinity - perhaps at the same breakers yard for example, you are more than welcome to have a thorough look over. It would be valuable to figure out which car is more 'sorted' and why so the less sorted one might improve itself. It's like a magic carpet - how would one know if anything was wrong with it if you were still happily flying through the air?!I'd love to have a good look over yours at some stage actually - the like-with-like comparison would be useful. Please do keep posting photos and thoughts.
I'll have an update to my SLC thread next weekend.
Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 13th March 14:20
Strela said:
Wilkommen. Commendable choice.
I wrongly plumped for an overtly glamorous SL over an ambiguously discreet SLC and have never quite resolved the issue. Without wishing to misportray myself, the dilemma always reminds me of Withnail and I: " I think the carrot infinitely more fascinating than the geranium. The carrot has mystery. Flowers are essentially tarts. Prostitutes for the bees. There is, you'll agree, a certain je ne sais quoi oh so very special about a firm young carrot."
I think everyone on here would agree you made the right choice.I wrongly plumped for an overtly glamorous SL over an ambiguously discreet SLC and have never quite resolved the issue. Without wishing to misportray myself, the dilemma always reminds me of Withnail and I: " I think the carrot infinitely more fascinating than the geranium. The carrot has mystery. Flowers are essentially tarts. Prostitutes for the bees. There is, you'll agree, a certain je ne sais quoi oh so very special about a firm young carrot."
It looks great OP. I haven't seen a silver one before. Got any interior pics? Does the air con work?
I know you have a trusted garage, but these are cars that benefit from expertise, and the 107 can throw-up some anomalies that generalist garages might miss. I have some recommendations if you want them - none of them especially local to you - and idiotgap of this parish may also have some (he's S London and has an SL). Strela too has views about who is reliable as you've possibly seen on his thread.
These old V8s are very satisfying to hustle along, and the performance is certainly 'enough'. The fuel economy is amusingly shocking though!
Looking forward to updates. I'm really enjoying mine.
I know you have a trusted garage, but these are cars that benefit from expertise, and the 107 can throw-up some anomalies that generalist garages might miss. I have some recommendations if you want them - none of them especially local to you - and idiotgap of this parish may also have some (he's S London and has an SL). Strela too has views about who is reliable as you've possibly seen on his thread.
These old V8s are very satisfying to hustle along, and the performance is certainly 'enough'. The fuel economy is amusingly shocking though!
Looking forward to updates. I'm really enjoying mine.
ked since I bought mine.
This is a nice colour, although you don't often see blue and brown so I wonder if the respray was a colour change? Yummy velour though.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C850029
Looks pretty good to me for 15 grand.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C850029
Looks pretty good to me for 15 grand.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
It looks great OP. I haven't seen a silver one before. Got any interior pics? Does the air con work?
I know you have a trusted garage, but these are cars that benefit from expertise, and the 107 can throw-up some anomalies that generalist garages might miss. I have some recommendations if you want them - none of them especially local to you - and idiotgap of this parish may also have some (he's S London and has an SL). Strela too has views about who is reliable as you've possibly seen on his thread.
These old V8s are very satisfying to hustle along, and the performance is certainly 'enough'. The fuel economy is amusingly shocking though!
Looking forward to updates. I'm really enjoying mine.
And there's me only having seen a silver one. The one I see most days is often parked near Cameron Macintosh's office, and I fantasise that he runs one himself...he could afford the fuel after all. Happy to receive some recommended experts details - there will always be something that requires welcome insight. Thank you.I know you have a trusted garage, but these are cars that benefit from expertise, and the 107 can throw-up some anomalies that generalist garages might miss. I have some recommendations if you want them - none of them especially local to you - and idiotgap of this parish may also have some (he's S London and has an SL). Strela too has views about who is reliable as you've possibly seen on his thread.
These old V8s are very satisfying to hustle along, and the performance is certainly 'enough'. The fuel economy is amusingly shocking though!
Looking forward to updates. I'm really enjoying mine.
As for the air conditioning, we do not know yet - it is on the list. The middle trim was missing 2 heating levers and the air con knob, so we have sent a small man into the gubbins to see what is what. When he finally emerges accompanied by some Chilean miners I will know the score. The cruise control doesn't currently work but it is way down the list of items to address. The performance is somewhat impressive, and the faster I go the faster I get to the next petrol station. If they still offer vouchers at participating stations I should be the proud owner of a set of 4 Hi-ball glasses well before Easter.
Given the relatively low price I paid I have a war chest of Andorran armed-forces proportions to put many things right over the next year and I will be thrilled to update you once she returns from her first visit to the health spa.
Forgot to mention. She came with a boot full of spares. Cracking the boot open is akin to a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean, what with the booty that falls out. Once I have my vessel returned to me I will happily let you know what is there should anything be of interest.
The interior needs work. One really has to experience the deep, deep funk of horse hair and exhaust gases which permeate even the most waxed of jackets for weeks. A Feu Orange on the mirror should sort it out.
<Edited to remove broken photo links>
Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 4th August 23:47
Lovely car Sir.
If only one of these would fit in my garage.
http://edward-hall.co.uk/showroom/1983-mercedes-be...
If only one of these would fit in my garage.
http://edward-hall.co.uk/showroom/1983-mercedes-be...
Strela said:
I think Zonergem, also of this parish and clearly fraternising with younger folk than I do, put me onto this ultimate driving anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9md97nN_SQ
That awful song doesn't help make our cars cool does it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9md97nN_SQ
Nonetheless, it undoubtedly makes them that teeny bit wantier by da kidz, so that's gotta be a good thing.
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