1979 Mercedes 450 SLC

[paulyv]

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>

Edited by paulyv on Wednesday 5th August 00:12

[paulyv]

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>

Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 4th August 23:45

[paulyv]

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?!

Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 13th March 14:20

[paulyv]

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.

[paulyv]

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.

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

[paulyv]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

That awful song doesn't help make our cars cool does it?
Nonetheless, it undoubtedly makes them that teeny bit wantier by da kidz, so that's gotta be a good thing.

I was expecting a verse about her damp footwell.

This Maren Morris appears to be working with a director that has a thing for old Mercs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouWQ25O-Mcg

Surely a Morris Marina would have been the smart choice. I will drop her agent a line.

Speaking of music, I just ordered a vintage Blaupunkt Mannheim 24 stereo with Bluetooth sneakily soldered inside the unit. Now I can listen to In Our Time whilst sat on the hard shoulder awaiting the KC-10 to refuel me.

Edited by paulyv on Saturday 2nd December 13:32

[paulyv]

Please note my front seats. No tipping mechanism to let rear passengers in and out - they just appear to pivot back and forth unsecured. Anyone ever seen that?

[paulyv]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

My front seats are the same they just push forward to allow access. I think they are supposed to be self-securing when the engine is running to be safe in the event of a crash. I haven't checked mine actually, but suspect it was done for the MOT.

That's good to know - I will test them when I get the chance.

I do have the one mirror however a matching passenger-side has been bought and will be going on. I like the single mirror look very much but will be regularly driving in central London and happy as I am to see a mouthy aggressive cyclist come an injury-free cropper in the hope he will learn from the experience it is only that variety that perturb me and I wouldn't want to swipe a nervous Boris biker, regardless of whose fault it might or might not have been. A brazen, loud 4.5 litre Merc sporting a 'brexit' numberplate needs all the goodwill it can get in this town.

Of course the former type of cyclist will probably smash my mirror off within a week anyway, at which point I will simply pop the blanking plate back on and carry on regardless.

[paulyv]

AmosMoses said:

Adore this gen SLC! Lovely car OP

Many thanks. I will do my best to keep it on the road.

[paulyv]

Rude not to have a radio fitted. The below has been bought into which Bluetooth functionality is being added (soldered inside more accurately). Don't ask me how that works but once I receive it I should be able to stream from my phone rather than having to play 1989's 'En-Tact' by The Shamen which is the only tape I can find in my possession.



<edited to update broken photo link>

Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 4th August 23:55

[paulyv]

I paid for a car, but got a car and also a drill bit pushed into a vacuum tube under the bonnet. It's already making me money just like a real classic.

Have a moody shot next to a 7 series.



I always wondered what the car park here at John & Peter's looked like......Marjorie!!!

Edited by paulyv on Wednesday 26th August 12:29

[paulyv]

Bought some light reading whilst I await 'The Return of the Duchess' (sounds like a 1985 Channel 4 red triangle film, probably starring 'Brian Long').

Edited by paulyv on Wednesday 5th August 00:00

[paulyv]

ilovequo said:

Hope you don't mind me asking but did the car come with that back box?
My SL has the original turn down pipes but i'd love straight tips like your SLC has...

Hello.

Genuinely sorry for the lack of communication - it's been a busy time, unrelated to the car.

In answer to your question I am under the impression the car has a stainless steel exhaust system fitted. It was in fine condition so must be aftermarket as the rubber hangers were completely rotten.

[paulyv]

"Don't be a stranger" an ex once told me. I never saw her again, but I am back on here after some time away. Apologies for the silence.

Long and the short of it is I still don't have the Duchess back. I thought it wise to keep in storage over winter and the garage working on it kindly kept it to one side for what must be around 3 months now! During that time lots of new/replacement parts have been fitted including:

New heater controls (and all that gubbins behind sorted out)
Passenger-side mirror
Lots of new interior trim and carpet parts
Plenty of engine bits
New speakers for the new stereo

I collect the car this Saturday at noon so I can run it out to the Goodwood Members Meeting on Sunday, but likely not quite everything will be done by that time. I suspect there will still be a couple of mechanical gearbox-related items to figure out as soon as Goodwood is over so it will possibly head back for a couple of weeks thereafter.

Once the weekend is out the way I'll let people know what spares are in the boot too in case there is anything of interest.

Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 13th March 14:39

[paulyv]

Well, it's home. Collected in a good-looking state from the garage late this afternoon. I was planning to do this tomorrow but with the snow forecast I thought I would force their hand a little as I didn't want my first time in the car to involve snow AND the streets of our fair capital city.

Feels good. Plenty of V8 grumble when I put my foot down but I do clearly have to get used to being 'noticed' in town. One chap wanted a chat at the lights and I got several more thumbs up. Very flattering but isn't something I have experienced before.

A couple of gremlins though - I seem to have a heater that starts up when it wants to, and at times there is a squeaking noise from within the dash once the car warms up...I suspect som plastic on the blower is expanding and then rubbing against something. It clearly needs a little more work but for the next week a heater fuse can be removed.

Only decision now - let's see what tomorrow's snow is like for the trip down towards Worthing and then Goodwood...if it's more than 'light' I am likely taking the Puma, which would be a shame.

Edited by paulyv on Wednesday 5th August 00:13

[paulyv]

You're too kind. Thank you.

On our journey down to Goodwood today I found my air con is working, which is great. On the other hand because the only knob missing from my dash is the air con switch that meant it was on all the way from London to Worthing during the snow-bound journey. Jesus wept it got cold! I balanced the blasts of fresh air from the dash nossles with a full-on attack from the warm windscreen demisting which gave us some balance. In short I don't yet know how to turn my air con off.

So yes, it is very 'cool' to have an SL...All fun and games.

On the plus side a little reading revealed that I need a new blower motor to get rid of the squeaky heater. My bearings have gone. Such is old age.

Edited by paulyv on Sunday 18th March 00:32

[paulyv]

Managed to get in and out of Goodwood fine today, despite the mud which was stranding the occasional modern SUV. Placing the car on snow mats certainly helped, the result being my first weekend away in it was drama-free other than the constant blast from the ice-cold air con which became farcical as the temperature dropped.



Related to that do any fellow owners know which exact switch or knob I am missing on this fascia which controls the air con? In the hole which would be covered by said switch I can feel what seems to be a thin microswitch spindle which presses in, but I cannot turn it off by poking at it. This being a car from South Africa I cannot seem to locate an image online of a similar dash layout.



Thanks in advance.

Edited by paulyv on Sunday 18th March 23:34

[paulyv]

Thank you so much for this. Really helpful.

Arctic blast is the right word. I am still shivering today. An SL with the roof down would have been warmer.

[paulyv]

ilovequo said:

I’ve no ac but heater is squeaking badly also!
Think this could be a solution rather than purchasing entire unit?

On ebay at £128...

Thank you for that. Indeed I had considered one of those and I might well try one. I have seen the guides which explain how to replace the motor only but it seems to be quite a hassle. I see there is a full unit at the SL Shop too so I am going to consider both options. Needless to say it needs doing.

The SL Shop also have the A/C dial I need so I hope they can provide it this week.

[paulyv]

I fully intend to - there's going to be quite a bit of work to do on the car over this spring and summer and I will update with as much useful information as I can throughout.

Firstly thanks to R129 I now have the correct Aircon dial winging its way to me courtesy of the SL Shop who were competitively priced. It'll be a relief to hopefully get some control over the temperature in there.



All other mechanical aspects of the car are first class except for kickdown. My first investigation is going to be the kickdown switch behind the loud pedal...my recently-removed carpet (more of that momentarily) has a hole in for that and if I am lucky it was not aligned correctly. If that's not the reasons then it'll be the switch and then the solenoids on the gearbox. Fun to think there is more performance to come from this car.

Now - back to that removed carpet. I do have water coming into the cabin and it is very likely from the bulkhead as I dried it out last night, and after the showers overnight there is a little more water in the footwell, so it won't be the aircon drainage pipes leaking. This is not really a surprise to me and I got enough money off the car based on this when I pointed out several ongoing issues which were not mentioned at the time of the sale, this being one of them. So it'll be a quote from the SL Shop to get this done, and get done it will - they all seem to need it at some point and keeping the car entirely dry would prove impractical for me.