Mercedes-Benz 450SLC

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Launched in 1972, the 450SLC was a big bruiser of a car in the finest Mercedes tradition. It was in its element charging down the fast lane of the autobahn scaring the wits out of English tourists by shooting past their weedy Allegros at almost double their maximum speed.

About the only car ever to be adapted from a roadster into a tin-top, it was based on the SL convertible but was stretched a few inches and had better handling thanks to its much stiffer structure. Indeed it proved just how tough it was by its impressive performance in gruelling long distance rallies, including a win on the South America Rally of 1978 and second place on the East Africa Safari.

The 450SLC was powered by a bomb-proof 4.5-litre V8 that produced 225bhp and 278lb/ft of torque and can still more than hold its own in today’s traffic. Build quality was second to none and puts most modern cars to shame as the latter seem designed to last for just a few short years before an onset of expensive gremlins obliges owners to trade up for a newer model.

This 1980-registered 450SLC has just been treated to a full respray in the original light blue metallic and a refurbished interior. Showing some 144,300 miles on the clock, it is said to run and drive well and it is due to have a fresh MOT in time for the sale. Properly maintained, it will probably see out the life of its fortunate new owner. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore….

AMENDMENT – There is no current MOT.