1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC

Description

Everyone is familiar with the Mercedes SL roadsters of the 1970s and early '80s. But not everyone realizes that at the same time they were also building a hardtop 4-seater SL called the SLC. Built on a slightly longer wheelbase, these handsome coupes were luxurious sport-touring cars with admirable performance and typical Mercedes luxury. If you need a little practicality with your sporty performance, this 1980 450SLC is a great choice.

This is a lot of Mercedes style and performance for not a lot of cash. The glowing silver finish is sophisticated and entirely appropriate on the sleek 4-seater, and there's no signs of damage or botched repairs in the past. Of note, this is a one-owner car with complete service records, and it has spent the entirety of its life in the south, so you know the demons that haunt rust-belt cars are a complete non-issue here. There's a distinct lack of ornamentation, and the muscular shape seems stretched taut over the chassis for a classic look that will never go out of style. The big rubber bumpers were mandated by the Feds, but they're in excellent shape and have become an iconic look in and of themselves. A bit of chrome here and there, including window surrounds, plus a single dark blue pinstripe dress it up without being garish.

The matching blue leather interior has obviously received some attention in the not too distant past, with gorgeous seat covers and a dash pad that really brighten up the driver's compartment. But the condition of the original carpets and door panels suggest that this car was nicely maintained all its life. That giant Mercedes steering wheel connects to a nicely weighted power steering system that makes this coupe track like a cruise missile at highly illegal speeds, and gauges are big, bold, and highly legible. Power windows, a 3-speed automatic, A/C, and a factory Becker AM/FM/cassette stereo system make it a very comfortable place to spend some time. Even today, it would be a great daily driver that requires no sacrifices compared to a new car. There's also a plushly appointed trunk with matching carpets and all the factory tools intact.

The 450SLC is powered by a single overhead cam 4.5-liter V8 making 222 horsepower and 278 pounds of torque, which were impressive figures in 1980. With Bosch fuel injection, the engine has a friendly idle, and smooth power delivery that feels like the engine will pull forever. A dual exhaust system with a single muffler and resonator delivers a pleasant, bubbly idle and a rich full-throttle growl that is perfectly appropriate to the sport/luxury mission of the SLC. The 4.5-liter engines are typically Mercedes reliable, and with a long production run, parts are still plentiful and easy to find. Underneath, it's clean even though it remains completely unrestored, but you can see how nice it is just in the photos. Braking is via 4-wheel discs and it wears a set of vintage 15-inch Mercedes alloy wheels, which are perhaps the brand's most distinctive look from this period.

These remain great-driving, fun, comfortable cars, even thirty years later. If you're looking for something a little out-of-the-ordinary that can still be driven and enjoyed like a modern car, try this 450SLC on for size. Call today!