I just picked up a 450SLC 5.0

[alabbasi]

I just picked up a 450SLC 5.0 from the sister of an enthusiast who recently passed. The car is in OK condition but does need cleaning up as it's been sitting for some time.

The guy was a real enthusiast and has a beautiful Burnt Red model that he was in the process of restoring. The dash is out and everything is neatly labeled and all the parts are packed neatly in his garage.

She also has a 500SLC with 89,000 miles which is black with cream leather interior. Also in perfect condition.

I am talking to her about the black one and have offered to help her find homes for the other car which really needs to go to an enthusiast.

There is also another 450SLC / 500SLC (not sure which). It's another Euro car but basic, it has velour interior, no sunroof and wind up windows. But oddly enough, it has the ACCII system. It would make a nice road racer.

Where can I get more info on these models?

All the best

Al

[Mforcer]

Nice car!

A friend of ours wrote:

The 5-litre SLC Rally Cars

He knows these cars rather well. At the very least he should point you in the right direction.

[oscar]

   Ya beat me to it Mforcer.  I saw the title and thought "Greg"

There's one more thread I'll throw in.  Greg's got a 500slc badged one, it's LHD and I think one of two in Aus. 

http://www.mbcnsw.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,2271.0.html

But congrats Al  .  If I may suggest, get the 500 as well if the budget is there.  More collectible I thought, but would love to see a racer

[Grant V]

Al, you lucky bastard!!!  That's a sought after, valuable and rare 107, and pretty high on my wish list. Congratulations!

[500eguy]

wow! pictures are coming right al? i wish i was in texas..... i would take one home with me!

[alabbasi]

They need fixing up, the green one is my purchase, i'm thinking about the blue one simply because it's so unusual . It has no sunroof, manual windows and Automatic Climate control and Velour.

The black one is a stunner with 89,000 miles on it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aalabbasi/450slc02

[CraigS]

I guess the dog was not pleased to see you - or over pleased ! Looks like there is a bit of work to do on all of them, but they seem to be a reasonable basis to start from.

[nathan]

Nice work Al,
these machines are awesome...
they are even quicker than the 6.9s as not only is the alloy 5 litre lighter, but its coupled to a 4 speed isnt it?
is there actually anydifference between the 450 5.0 and the 500slc or is it just a technicality?
best ofl uck with the new purchase

[Greg in Oz]

Finally someone has dangled a big enough carrot to get me to finally post something here. I have enjoyed reading here for a long time and have often considered replying to some posts, but not owning a W116 has seen me decide not to even though my 107.023 350SLC which I have owned for 25 years shares a lot with the W116. I am also a member of more forums than I have time to actively contribute to.

Late in 2006 I realised a long term dream when I purchased a rare 107.026 500SLC, hence me replying to this thread. To the best of my knowledge, my 500SLC is the only one in Australia (the other 107.026 here is a 450SLC 5.0).

Alabbasi,
Congratulations on the purchase of one of Scott's cars. Scott was a true enthusiast of the 107.026 (he owned five plus a 107.024 parts car) and those of us who knew him were saddened by his premature passing. The January-February 2008 edition of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America's magazine "The Star" has an article about Scott. He was a valued contributor to the 5 litre SLC section of that club's forum which is now named after him. You can find that forum at http://mbca.cartama.net/forumdisplay.php?f=11 and I'm sure you will find a small group of knowledgeable members there happy to discuss anything about your recent purchase. Your car is already on the registry at http://www.mercedesrallycars.com:8080/registry/buildRegistryPage.do but you might like to request the details be updated to reflect your ownership. Another of Scott's cars recently sold and its details have been updated on the registry and its new owner has joined that forum. Thanks for the link to those photos of Scott's cars and I look forward to seeing more of your yours after you clean it up. Enjoy!

Mforcer and Oscar,
Thanks for posting the links to my threads elsewhere.

Grant V,
A 5 litre SLC was always on my wish list (see http://www.mbcnsw.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,66.0.html) so I consider myself fortunate to have bought one. To top it off I have since found a set of genuine factory 15 inch "bundts" in good condition which it now wears with pride.

500eguy,
That's a nice collection you have already but a 5 litre SLC would top it off nicely. Another member of this forum (Willard) is also fortunate to own both a 5 litre SLC and a 5 litre W124 (the 500E is another of my dream cars also never manufactured in right hand drive or sold in Oz).

Nathan,
Yes, the 107.026 are awesome (on the occasions I drive mine I can't help but smile). The 450SLC 5.0 got the 3-speed auto whereas the 500SLC got the 4-speed auto which means that there is a difference of over half a second between their acceleration times to 100km/h (62mph) but once the 500 changes to second gear there is no difference between the performance of the two models. The other differences between them include the headrests, steering wheel, top of dash colour, and speedo drive (cable vs electric). There were fewer of the 500 than the 5.0 but both are among the rarest Mercedes production models. Their primary purpose was as a homologation car for rally competition and the early ones were essentially a test bed for the all alloy V8 engines. The 5.0 engine was marginally larger than 5 litres whereas the 500 engine was just under 5 litres and the transmission bolt patterns differed between the two engines (to suit the different transmissions). The engine power and torque figures were the same for both road versions but in the competition cars the 500 was a Group 2 car which delivered more power than the 5.0 which was a Group 4 car. The performance of the 107.026 results not only from the engine output but also from the extensive use of aluminium which made them the lightest of all the 107 models.

Cheers,
Greg

[alabbasi]

Greg

Nice write up, I never met Scott, but from talking to his friends who are helping his family, he sounded like a real enthusiast. He has an Inca Red 107 that was apart and needs a good home to put it back together. If you know of anyone in need of a project, put them in touch with me and i'll pass on the details.

These cars cannot end up in the junk yards.

All the best

Al

[500eguy]

Greg: Thanks for the Kind words! i am def. interested in one of those 5.0 SLC... a true piece of Mercedes History and all worth the trouble of restoring.

Al: do you think i could get one roadworthy and ready for transport?

[alabbasi]

Currently there are 2 cars.
Black 500SLC - Like new condition and will fetch a good chunk of change.
Red 450SLC 5.0 - Good condition but the dash and the front end is apart. It will require re-assembly before it can be restored. This car is quite special and very clean. I think that Scott's sister will have no issues selling the others but this one may become someone's parts car.

[Greg in Oz]

Alabbasi,

Regarding Scott's cars, from your last post I understand that there are only two still available. Initially there were five (#1143, #1459, #1576, #1654 and #2626). I understand that you purchased #1143 and that "carnutdallas" on the 5.0 SLC forum purchased #1576 (which he is obviously enjoying judging by his thread at http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=24598 ). The two you suggest remain are #1459 and #2526 so someone must have purchased #1654. I hope they all find good homes as it would be a pity to use any just for parts.

By the way, you may be interested to know that all the details and options for just about every 107.026 from #0536 onwards is listed on the MB EPC and is therefore viewable on the MB Club of Russia's VIN decoder at http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng by entering the VIN in the format WDB1070261200XXXX where XXXX is the last four digits of the VIN. You will have to add your 450SLC 5.0 to your list of impressive machines in your signature and come and introduce yourself and cars at http://mbca.cartama.net/forumdisplay.php?f=11 . For some photos of mine see http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=22166

Cheers,
Greg

[alabbasi]

Hmm interesting, it shows that my car was originally icon gold and not the metalic green that it is now? Is this 100% if it was painted it much have been an inside out paint job.

[CraigS]

The color number will be on your options plate on the radiator support panel. Easy enough to check.