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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 - significantly sportier and lighter coupé

Name: Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 1978
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

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Created on June 28, 2019

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

Daimler AG

Olivier Chanson

Archiv

Bruno von Rotz

Daimler AG

Olivier Chanson

Archiv

119 1

Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - still not a thing of the past today

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - at the rear were the clear identifying marks - spoiler lip and 5.0 lettering

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the underside of the car was painted in a slightly contrasting color ex works

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - in contrast to the concave hardtop of the convertible, the coupé roof had an outward curve

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - stately coupé - 4.75 meters long and weighing 1.65 tons

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - 4.75 meters long and 1.79 meters wide

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the visual relationship to the open-top SL is obvious

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the extensive glazing ensures good all-round visibility

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - lightweight construction from Sindelfingen

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - lightweight construction that you didn't see straight away

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - those in the know could identify the fastest Benz immediately

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - not immediately recognizable as the most expensive variant from the front

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - a pleasant touring car

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - understated elegance

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - was popular with industrialists and frequent drivers

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - did not stand out, especially not in comparison to the competitor Porsche 928

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - also for the manufacturer or logistician

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - only 1977 SLC 5.0 were built

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - many SLCs were ordered in silver

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - straightforward design with few curves

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - not exactly narrow at 1.79 meters wide

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - hardly distinguishable from the SL or the normal SLC from the front

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - with open hood

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - A look under the hood

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - large steering wheel, large instruments

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - only minor differences to the normal SLC versions are discernible

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Speedometer in the middle and up to 260 km/h

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - three-speed automatic transmission - the best acceleration times were achieved in the "S" position

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - cost a lot extra - the air conditioning system had to be paid for with at least around DM 2938 or CHF 3200, the automatic version was even more expensive

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - also spacious in the rear

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Leather upholstery cost extra

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - unobstructed view through the visors

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Mercedes broke new ground with the aluminum engine

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the V8 with two overhead camshafts produced 240 hp

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - longitudinally mounted V8

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - you can see little of the aluminum V8 under the huge air filter

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - light metal wherever you look

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - everything neatly labeled

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Nameplate

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Chassis numbers and codings

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the lightweight hood is supported by springs

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the cleaning system for the headlights was also standard

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the front spoiler was introduced with the 5.0

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - some buyers did not want the rear spoiler, Mercedes also offered a hand here

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - aluminum wheels were standard on the lightweight coupé

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the standard aluminum wheels

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - gave rise to discussions at the time - screens in the third side window

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Fuel filler flap

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the fuel filler flap opens downwards and not to the side

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - if you don't hold the fuel filler flap, it closes again automatically

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - only remains open thanks to Photoshop (removed finger)

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - not a matter of course at the time - air pressure information on the fuel filler flap

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - the corrugated rear lights should get less dirty

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - this lettering was also used on the "normal" 450 SLC

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - fluted tail lights

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - this lettering was only available in 1977, if it was not "removed".

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - with this inscription, the SLC cost around 20 percent more

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Stars everywhere

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Mercedes star at the rear

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC at the 1972 Geneva Motor Show - elegant five-seater coupé with advanced safety features

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC at the 1972 Geneva Motor Show - interior ventilation in the Mercedes Coupé

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1974) - together with 280 SL and 240 D 3.0

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1975) - next to a 280 SL

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1974) - at the birthplace of Gottlieb Daimler in Schorndorf

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Mercedes-Benz 380 SLC (1981) - with 3.8-liter engine

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1972) - silhouette view

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1977) - Coupé with escort

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1974) - seen from the front at an angle

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1976) - with alloy wheels at extra cost

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1976) - with six-cylinder engine

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1973) - in the snow

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1971) - together with S-Class saloons

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1977) - the famous visor

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1972) - Three-point automatic seat belt with push-button lock

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1972) - with headlight cleaning system

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1976) - Gerd Müller with his yellow coupé

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1974) - an SL in the background

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Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (1975) - even six cylinders and 185 DIN horsepower are enough for fast performance

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1975) - 4520 cm3, 225 DIN hp

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1973) - with SL and S-Class cornering

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1975) - a car of the exclusive special class

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1974) - with 4.5-liter V8

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1978) - in the wind tunnel with visible flow vortices

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1978) - in the wind tunnel

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - Cast aluminum block and two overhead camshafts for the V8

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - elegant coupé

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - always two-tone

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - rear view from diagonally behind

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - silhouette view

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - with eye-catching rear spoiler

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - front view

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - rear view

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - from a bird's eye view

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - Front spoiler

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - Rear spoiler

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - on the driveway in Untertürkheim

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - Cockpit

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - Interior

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - View of the lightweight engine

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - the aluminum V8

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - injection engine with eight cylinders

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1977) - the injection engine

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Advertising - gives new impetus to progress

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Advertising - more power without more fuel consumption

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1978) - Advertising - Triumph of quality

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1983) - together with its brothers - all car series from Mercedes incl. S-Class, Babybenz 190 E, SL, SLC etc.

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1978) - US version

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Mercedes-Benz 500 SLC (1981) - the successor to the 450 SL 5.0

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Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC (1977) - an SLC leaves the Sindelfingen plant in October 1977 as the five millionth car since the resumption of production in 1946

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1979) - quadruple victory at the African Bandama Rally

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 (1979) - second place for the Waldegaard - Throszelius team at the 1979 Bandama Rally

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Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC (1978) - Rallye Vuelta a la America del Sud (17.8.-14.9.1978) - the later winners

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Summary

This article contains the following chapters

Proven, but too leisurely?
In search of more sportiness
A new start with a new engine
A lighter coupé
Improved aerodynamics through minor interventions
Presentation at the IAA 1977
Luxury Gran Turismo
Not an ecomobile
Gentle force
Pleasant companion
Rarity remains
Further information

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Externally, there were only minimal distinguishing features, but when connoisseurs spotted a Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC coupé with a rubber lip on the trunk lid and the number "5.0" on the right-hand side of the rear in 1978, the driver was sure to receive an appreciative nod. After all, this Mercedes-Benz was the fastest car from Sindelfingen at the time and quite expensive too. The R107 cabriolet version of the new Mercedes-Benz 350 SL sports car had already been presented in 1971, followed a few months later (Paris, October 1971) by the 350 SLC (C107) coupé version. With the Coupé SLC, Mercedes-Benz broke with tradition, as the luxury coupé was normally based on the S-Class and its predecessors. At the end of the 1960s, a different decision was made and the 350 SL, which was still under development, was extended to create a sporty and luxurious coupé.

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