1973 Mercedes SLC
Discussion
The CdeG car story continues along a familiar theme; that theme being impulsive purchases of cars that have the potential to ruin a man.
It all started a few months ago when a PH-er showed me a link to a car at his local auction house. I'd revealed elsewhere that I'd hankered after a Mercedes SLC, and he offered to go and view on my behalf. He did view, and advised me not to bid.
I had no need for it, hadn't driven it, hadn't in fact even seen it. I had nowhere to park it, and had sold a rather nice 560 SEC because I was intending to down-size. At the time of the auction, I was about to go overseas for a week and, for reasons varied, justifiable, and largely car-related, any purchase was guaranteed to be a red rag to the domestic bull. Crazy to consider a 44 year old car on a whim, obviously. Equally obviously, I bought it.
It went for below auction estimate; so that's good, yeah? Yeah? Even in those heady early days, it was clear that the car wasn't without issues, and it was undoubtedly sent to auction for a reason, but I'd long hankered after one of these and now I could tick the box. I just hope it isn't a financially ruinous box.
This is the virtual image that I saw and the basis upon which I bought.
It all started a few months ago when a PH-er showed me a link to a car at his local auction house. I'd revealed elsewhere that I'd hankered after a Mercedes SLC, and he offered to go and view on my behalf. He did view, and advised me not to bid.
I had no need for it, hadn't driven it, hadn't in fact even seen it. I had nowhere to park it, and had sold a rather nice 560 SEC because I was intending to down-size. At the time of the auction, I was about to go overseas for a week and, for reasons varied, justifiable, and largely car-related, any purchase was guaranteed to be a red rag to the domestic bull. Crazy to consider a 44 year old car on a whim, obviously. Equally obviously, I bought it.
It went for below auction estimate; so that's good, yeah? Yeah? Even in those heady early days, it was clear that the car wasn't without issues, and it was undoubtedly sent to auction for a reason, but I'd long hankered after one of these and now I could tick the box. I just hope it isn't a financially ruinous box.
This is the virtual image that I saw and the basis upon which I bought.
What followed was a journey. A journey of discovery and restoration at distance. I was abroad and dealt with the auction house, a car transporter chap and a well-regarded MB specialist by e-mail. It all worked seamlessly though, and the very helpful people made things happen satisfactorily in my absence. The car was delivered to the specialist and work started.
The assessment of condition in general wasn't too bad, but amongst the dramas there were 2 very apparent faults. The first was cosmetic but obvious, with cracking right through the bonnet paint. The second was an inability to idle, with surging revs making the car almost undriveable. Other faults were very poor fuel lines which badly needed replacement, some under-body corrosion that needed welding, and work required to repair and restore the bulkhead. There were plenty of other things too, but the one that bothered me the most was the removal of the white-wall tyres, which I really didn't like.
The assessment of condition in general wasn't too bad, but amongst the dramas there were 2 very apparent faults. The first was cosmetic but obvious, with cracking right through the bonnet paint. The second was an inability to idle, with surging revs making the car almost undriveable. Other faults were very poor fuel lines which badly needed replacement, some under-body corrosion that needed welding, and work required to repair and restore the bulkhead. There were plenty of other things too, but the one that bothered me the most was the removal of the white-wall tyres, which I really didn't like.
The list of work that was done over the following 2 months was extensive. All of the smaller parts were provided by MB, but there's quite a lot that is either NLA or else obscenely expensive. I bought a second-hand accelerator pedal from the Bay of Dreams myself, and sourced a suspension bush kit from Germany. All parts were delivered to the specialist and fitted. He restored the steering box and did all sorts of other smaller jobs, including some fabrication, and got the car MOTd. The total bill came fairly comfortably below the 5 grand maximum I'd set.
The time quickly came when I wanted the car. I usually drive a new car for a bit before deciding on any work, so spending money before even driving it felt as though I was breaking my own rules. I wanted to see it, to drive it, and to play with it before committing myself any further. I wasn't even sure I'd like it, so didn't want to have so much money sunk into it that I wouldn't recoup my costs if I decided to sell.
In anticipation of its' arrival, and in recognition that space really is limited and that I really do have to down-size because of imminent career changes and house move, I put my much-loved A124 320 CE up for sale.
The time quickly came when I wanted the car. I usually drive a new car for a bit before deciding on any work, so spending money before even driving it felt as though I was breaking my own rules. I wanted to see it, to drive it, and to play with it before committing myself any further. I wasn't even sure I'd like it, so didn't want to have so much money sunk into it that I wouldn't recoup my costs if I decided to sell.
In anticipation of its' arrival, and in recognition that space really is limited and that I really do have to down-size because of imminent career changes and house move, I put my much-loved A124 320 CE up for sale.
Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Sunday 2nd July 21:16
And that just about brings us up to date. Yesterday I experienced the bum-clenching thrill of the first drive of a new car. I'd owned it for a few months but, apart from a very short test drive with the mechanic after some initial work, had barely seen it, let alone driven it. Yesterday was collection day.
There were a couple of givens: fuel reserve light lit, check; unsure of route home, check; cash in a brown envelope, check; and the number of the recovery firm close to hand, natch. But, despite the trepidation, we made it and it now sits on my drive.
First impressions were positive, but there's no escaping the fact it's very evidently a 70s car. Ride is excellent and the big fat tyres really soak-up bumps. Visibility is terrific. It sits comfortably at 3-figure speeds and goes pretty well. I also noticed that there is a lot of wind noise and the fuel economy is laughable. I think I'm going to like it! The rest of the first day was spent with cleaning products.
There were a couple of givens: fuel reserve light lit, check; unsure of route home, check; cash in a brown envelope, check; and the number of the recovery firm close to hand, natch. But, despite the trepidation, we made it and it now sits on my drive.
First impressions were positive, but there's no escaping the fact it's very evidently a 70s car. Ride is excellent and the big fat tyres really soak-up bumps. Visibility is terrific. It sits comfortably at 3-figure speeds and goes pretty well. I also noticed that there is a lot of wind noise and the fuel economy is laughable. I think I'm going to like it! The rest of the first day was spent with cleaning products.
I was slightly under-tattooed for the show really, and it was heavy with stance-fans, ricers, Americana and Dub-scene cars rather than classics, but it nonetheless looked good. I had to leave early, and the car performed the essential task of starting and moving in good order, without making me look too much like a tragic loser.
There are jobs that remain to be done. Most notably, it runs very rich on idle and tends to surge until D is engaged. Even then, it's not quite right, so the running is probably the most important job to sort. The specialist had warned me of this, but the trial and error nature of diagnosis and rectification means that I'll probably wait for a bit before getting it looked at. That wait will probably last as long as it takes me to forget the sum I've paid already, or until the rather show-offy noise it can make embarrasses me too much, whichever comes first.
Notwithstanding, it's a cracking car. It's a tourer rather than a sports car, but performance is pretty good. It will comfortably seat 4, although there aren't any seat belts in the back – those crazy 70s!
All in all, I'm pleased with it. Madame deG likes it too, and that's something of a first. I'm planning to take it to the Silverstone Classic and am confident that all the camping detritus will fit in the generous boot and back seat, so I can even boast about its practicality. What's not to like?
Notwithstanding, it's a cracking car. It's a tourer rather than a sports car, but performance is pretty good. It will comfortably seat 4, although there aren't any seat belts in the back – those crazy 70s!
All in all, I'm pleased with it. Madame deG likes it too, and that's something of a first. I'm planning to take it to the Silverstone Classic and am confident that all the camping detritus will fit in the generous boot and back seat, so I can even boast about its practicality. What's not to like?
LeoSayer said:
That's a beauty - I love the look of these of these early 107s.
What's different to an SL, apart fro m the obvious?
The obvious is the fixed head versus the soft-top, but there are a number of other differences, although I suspect they are very similar in most respects. The wheelbase of the SLC is longer, and I understand that the perceived wisdom is that the C is a better drive. This perhaps is a view held mainly by SLC owners! MB had some rally success with the larger-engined versions. What's different to an SL, apart fro m the obvious?
TR4man said:
That does look really, really nice.
Interested to see the leather upholstery as I think I'm right in saying that most SLCs seem to have had velour?
I saw an SL today with that rather yummy checked cloth. I'm not sure what was most usual on the SLCs but I have seen quite a few with velour. The interior on mine looks pretty good and is in very good condition for a car more than 40 years old. I gave it a deep clean yesterday and there are no tears or scuffs. Interested to see the leather upholstery as I think I'm right in saying that most SLCs seem to have had velour?
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.
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.
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