1979 Mercedes 450 SLC
Discussion
Another weekend rolls around. Today I took the SLC back to SS Motors in Addlestone for its last ever legally-required MOT. The benefits of middle age. Whilst there it is also having some new rear window bushes fitted so I can engage 'party mode' with all 4 windows down giving a large expanse of fun fresh air on summer drives. The down side of this is that the really very small plastic bush, an official Mercedes part, is 70 pounds per side. They had better last another 40 years.
I am really hoping for a clean MOT on this occasion - a last hurrah as it were, but we shall see what occurs during the week. As ever they had some lovely vehicles being worked on. You often think you are something of a solitary driver in one of these old Mercs but garages like SS simply prove there are plenty of similar old timers about. Have a look at what they had in:
Also it's not all old Mercs around Addlestone - this 128 was in fine condition.
Finished the day with a Wimpy breakfast, as seems to have become the habit when visiting the area. I should be collecting the car in the week, then it is off to a local bodyshop for a partial respray, covering those scratches in preparation for its appearance at Goodwood in August - one of only 60 cars chosen apparently. Things are looking up for the old girl.
I am really hoping for a clean MOT on this occasion - a last hurrah as it were, but we shall see what occurs during the week. As ever they had some lovely vehicles being worked on. You often think you are something of a solitary driver in one of these old Mercs but garages like SS simply prove there are plenty of similar old timers about. Have a look at what they had in:
Also it's not all old Mercs around Addlestone - this 128 was in fine condition.
Finished the day with a Wimpy breakfast, as seems to have become the habit when visiting the area. I should be collecting the car in the week, then it is off to a local bodyshop for a partial respray, covering those scratches in preparation for its appearance at Goodwood in August - one of only 60 cars chosen apparently. Things are looking up for the old girl.
Edited by paulyv on Saturday 6th July 15:42
helix402 said:
Who new Wimpy still existed? Does Addlestone have a portal to the 80s, or does it come with 70s/80s Mercs?
The Wimpy is terrific. I guess it is a franchise and the nicest people run that particular one. You're right - there's not many about which surprises me considering how much people tend to like standard cafe fare. I'd love to see more on the roadsides instead of the mind-bogglingly expensive Little Chefs.
Final MOT passed. It will never need another one, although I will obviously get it checked every few years. Clearly I was hoping for a completely clean bill of health to be the governments last word for perpetuity but it wasn't to be. So close.
Next stop - the bodyshop to get the paint sorted.
Next stop - the bodyshop to get the paint sorted.
I wasn't aware until reading this article on Petrolicious that 450 SLCs used to be rallied.
Although I'm not suggesting for one moment that you may want to try this with yours!
https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-is-what-its...
Although I'm not suggesting for one moment that you may want to try this with yours!
https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-is-what-its...
TR4man said:
I wasn't aware until reading this article on Petrolicious that 450 SLCs used to be rallied.
Although I'm not suggesting for one moment that you may want to try this with yours!
https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-is-what-its...
Yep, that's the reason for the 026 cars (10702612xxxx) which had the 5.0 liter engines. They were homologation specials and only 2700 450SLC 5.0/500SLC's were made in total. Rare cars with a nice story behind them.Although I'm not suggesting for one moment that you may want to try this with yours!
https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-is-what-its...
TR4man said:
I wasn't aware until reading this article on Petrolicious that 450 SLCs used to be rallied.
Although I'm not suggesting for one moment that you may want to try this with yours!
https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-is-what-its...
I should probably try before I get that paint fixed.Although I'm not suggesting for one moment that you may want to try this with yours!
https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-is-what-its...
The car has been collected. Not only did the MOT get done but I have had the rear windows attended to. They never opened and closed very well and whilst they are still a little fragile the new bushes allied with some skilled manpower has worked a treat. They are manual, rather than electric, and there's a really complicated mechanism in there to get them tucked away in the rear quarter. Behold, party mode.
Oh, and I looked at George Harrison's old 600 Grosser, as you do. Amazing.
Oh, and I looked at George Harrison's old 600 Grosser, as you do. Amazing.
Well, let me start with news of my own car. Erm, nothing too much to update to be honest - right now it is booked in for paint which should be finished the very day myself and my girlfriend drive up to Goodwood for the open day on August 11th. That was so no scrote can key it again before the event. I'm rather excited about seeing inside the house and the car is now adorned with a GRRC membership sticker, just to make it more annoying to people who aren't fans of 'that sort of thing'. I'll be sure to snap plenty of pictures on its big day. I've also found off-street parking for it and given I have decided to sell my Puma, what I save on insurance and Green Flag will just about cover the monthly fee to keep it safe with a roof over it.
Really the above was just an excuse to post the images below as I know people reading this are partial to vehicles other than mine, and quite right too. I've just returned from a weekend in Berlin, a place where you can always be guaranteed to see a classic Merc or five and this trip didn't disappoint. For a city that, I believe, has very strict regulations concerning emissions there seem to be plenty of big smokey Benz's around - I took all of these in one day. I am thinking of driving my car over there in the late autumn. I might even be tempted to pop it into 'Classic Remise Berlin' for the winter (Google it). A not unpleasant way to spend 12 hours and god-knows-what on several tanks of fuel. Speaking of tanks, take your pick:
This was the first one I saw parked by the Tiergarten - it was just about perfect as you can see from the picture of the interior. Stunning.
Personally though, I admire the workhorses. I managed to flag this down on Saturday - a 2.3 diesel with 384,000 miles on the clock. It was built in February 1985. One of the best taxi journeys I have taken.
Another Pagoda ambling around looking cool:
and various other random models. I love the green 230 but the 'AMG' or whatever it is was a little too much for me.
Hard-wearing cars not your thing? How about some equally tough old trucks.
In London this would be called 'mortgage-free living':
and the Police still burst out the back of these old girls - loads of them about:
I also saw a Unimog but wasn't quick enough. Love the place - I can't wait to go back.
Really the above was just an excuse to post the images below as I know people reading this are partial to vehicles other than mine, and quite right too. I've just returned from a weekend in Berlin, a place where you can always be guaranteed to see a classic Merc or five and this trip didn't disappoint. For a city that, I believe, has very strict regulations concerning emissions there seem to be plenty of big smokey Benz's around - I took all of these in one day. I am thinking of driving my car over there in the late autumn. I might even be tempted to pop it into 'Classic Remise Berlin' for the winter (Google it). A not unpleasant way to spend 12 hours and god-knows-what on several tanks of fuel. Speaking of tanks, take your pick:
This was the first one I saw parked by the Tiergarten - it was just about perfect as you can see from the picture of the interior. Stunning.
Personally though, I admire the workhorses. I managed to flag this down on Saturday - a 2.3 diesel with 384,000 miles on the clock. It was built in February 1985. One of the best taxi journeys I have taken.
Another Pagoda ambling around looking cool:
and various other random models. I love the green 230 but the 'AMG' or whatever it is was a little too much for me.
Hard-wearing cars not your thing? How about some equally tough old trucks.
In London this would be called 'mortgage-free living':
and the Police still burst out the back of these old girls - loads of them about:
I also saw a Unimog but wasn't quick enough. Love the place - I can't wait to go back.
A little over 2 weeks until Goodwood. Will anything mechanical and expensive happen to the car during this period? Will the person I have chosen to spray it turnout to be a complete donut? I shall have to wait and see.
Last week my partner took the SLC away by herself for the first time. She'd been a little intimidated by its length (steady...) until now but after a weekend away she appreciates how easy it is to drive. She seemed to get far more attention driving it than I do, with many people asking about it, but prior to departure I ensured she was armed with the 3 most important facts: 1979, 4.5 litre, 225 hp.
Happy to be able to point out that, paint aside, the money I am spending on the car is now getting smaller and smaller. This week a chrome numberplate surround was fitted - the car came to me without one, amongst several other missing parts.
Unless anything disastrous occurs the next shot of the car posted here in about 2 weeks will be of it sporting new paint, on the crescent outside Goodwood House.
Last week my partner took the SLC away by herself for the first time. She'd been a little intimidated by its length (steady...) until now but after a weekend away she appreciates how easy it is to drive. She seemed to get far more attention driving it than I do, with many people asking about it, but prior to departure I ensured she was armed with the 3 most important facts: 1979, 4.5 litre, 225 hp.
Happy to be able to point out that, paint aside, the money I am spending on the car is now getting smaller and smaller. This week a chrome numberplate surround was fitted - the car came to me without one, amongst several other missing parts.
Unless anything disastrous occurs the next shot of the car posted here in about 2 weeks will be of it sporting new paint, on the crescent outside Goodwood House.
Edited by paulyv on Monday 26th August 17:41
Handling seemed a little wayward on the A1 this Saturday so immediately took it to a nearby garage for tracking, which hasn't been previously done during my tenure. It was way off, and is now sorted, but also gave me a good opportunity to have a look under the car. Sills looked fine and no apparent leaks. Do please let me know if you see anything obviously amiss yourselves.
I cannot locate the plate which has the paint code on it. Nothing on the door post nor under the bonnet. If anyone knowledgable is reading, would I be right to assume this this shade of grey on a 1979 SLC would be 'Astral' Silver?
Thanks in advance.
I cannot locate the plate which has the paint code on it. Nothing on the door post nor under the bonnet. If anyone knowledgable is reading, would I be right to assume this this shade of grey on a 1979 SLC would be 'Astral' Silver?
Thanks in advance.
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