1980 | Mercedes-Benz 500 SLC

Back in the 70's Mercedes raced its SLC coupés in the World Rally Championship and entered history for the one and only car ever to win a WRC-rally with a V8-engine and an automatic transmission.

The SLC rally cars proved to be very strong and reliable, which was especially important for the extreme challenging gravel rallies, such as the **Ivory coast **rally and the Safari rally through the African continent.
In 1978 during the gruelling 39-day, 30.000km Vuelta a La América del Sud, almost standard 450 SLC's took the top five places in their debut event!

For rallies on the European continent the heavy SLC was not the ideal car for the narrow winding roads. Legendary engineer Erich Waxenberger was called to help the SLC's gain performance on the shorter European rallies.

For homologation reasons Mercedes needed to modify their series model. From 1980 on the 450 SLC 5.0 was discontinued and made room for the new 500 SLC. The 500 SLC was built as a lightweight 'homologation special', running a lighter aluminium M117 V8-engine developing 240hp, and a 4-speed, instead of 3-speed automatic transmission. They came with an alloy hood, doors and bootlid and ran on larger alloy wheels with brake discs and ABS on all four wheels. They were all LHD and weighed less than 1.500kg. Of this modified homologation special only 1133 cars were built and sold mainly in Germany at a price close to that of the Ferrari 308 GTB...

This particular car is a genuine 500 SLC with type code 107026. It is in wonderfully original condition and presents as a very strong driver. The reduced weight and gain in agility is remarkable behind its wheel, and although highly comfortable, you can feel that this car has a wider mission than being not more than a luxurious coupé.