450 SLC

[ZCarFan]

Found a grey market 450 SLC locally.  Silver with a black interior.  Not sure of the year.   Looks savable and the bumpers are even pretty decent (these are the non- US, ROW units).  My understanding is the engine is kaput.

Anyone on the forum have/had one or have an opinion?  Pretty rare car here to begin with, and a gray-market SLC is very unusual. 

[daantjie]

Would personally steer clear, Euro imports notoriously rust prone, plus you may be in for huge $$$ to get it running.
As always, find the best example you can afford, do not take on a car which is halfway into the grave.
Just my 2 cents

[John Hubertz]

The SLC is a worthy car - very similar to the W116 in most key mechanical components.

The thing is, if you have patience you can purchase an investment-grade SLC for around $5000 - and even a car that required minor work would eat up that amount of money in a flash.  You need to know however that the European models run rings around USA spec cars and are altogether a different beast to drive (used to drive a Euro 280SL).  I think your thoughts aren't wrong - seek and buy a Euro spec 450SLC... but not one that needs a motor built of parts unavailable in the USA.

Use this search compiler if you want to see what 450SLC cars are selling for around the country:  http://www.autotempest.com/

[ZCarFan]

The engine is the big question as the 4.5s expensive to fix as is, and being a gray market car the parts are uncommon here.  On the other hand, a US spec engine would be easily sourced even though it would be giving away a few HP. 

You may be surprised how far I can make $5000 go though.   I've had my '90 Civic for 7 years and covered some 60,000 miles with about $1,000 invested including purchase.  That's head gasket, front brakes, rotors, exhaust including the cat, 4 tires, some Acura alloys, fuel pump, electric fan and ignition switch.  Once the D16 is built for it, the interior redone, the Si suspension in place and a bare-metal respray with EX/Si bumpers it will still be under $5,000.

The current asking price is $1,000 so while it's not cheap, there's some room to work with there before it all goes upside down $$$-wise.

Too bad my gray market W126 280SE is too good to part out or that would make for a nice engine transplant.