German Car Zone

Wow, 350 hp, it must fly given the mere 1600kgs of a fully loaded SLC...

As far as the 3-gears box is concerned... The 500 was indeed equipped with the 4-gears, which nearly always started in 2nd anyway (don't ask me why). This unit has the reputation of not being as smooth as the 3-gears one.
AMG surely replaced the gearbox by the older unit because it was the only one able to cope with the increased torque.

You could send the chassis-number and motor-number of your car to AMG by mail so that they would give you the mods they did on it... however, I believe AMG did not keep all stats back then, so it might not work. Definitely worth a try though, even if the dyno is of course the safe way of having the exact specifications of your car.

Must be a real blast to drive it. I guess it also has a louder sport exhaust, maybe even a stainless-steel one?

Might be interested in this video. it features a 450 SLC 5.0l AMG. It's the M117 but here called 450 5.0l and not 500 in earlier models, and was coupled with a lighter body thanks to alu-parts like the front fenders.
So in fact, it's the same M117 as in your 500, not the same as mine in the 450 (o.nly 225hp, and with D-jetronic)

They don't say anything particular, besides the fact that these cars were back then the best of the best you could buy, and that in AMG or Alpina guise they offeres Ferrari-performance in a discreet shape. The cars are very rare today, might need years to find a good one... They also say some pieces can be hard to get, especially for the Alpina.

The AMG makes 36 hp more than the factory 240hp, partly because of a sport-exhaust, so 276hp.

The car does move very well and handles aswell as my lowered civic. I am not going to thrash this car to much but I will drive it. As for contacting AMG, I have already exchanged a few e-mails with there marketing department, they searched there data base to no avail. I am sure they do have records in a file cabinet somewhere just never been entered on computer. It does have a good exhaust note, shorty headers and and dual pipe to the single muffler. The rad fan (belt driven) makes a lot of noise and drowns out the good sound, I am considering instaling an electric rad fan from a bmw m3 to replace it (much quieter). Right now all I can do is look at the car as there is a foot of snow here and far to much roadsalt for me to consider driving it in the winter.

1978 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC 5.0 Brochure


Link: Hot cars

Click on the ^link^ for all pictures.

I wish I could read German that looks like it contains a lot of interesting info.

Me or Raoul can translate it for you, but it will cost you.

Just kidding!

I'm a little busy right now but I should have the good stuff ready for you tomorrow.

That is very much appreciated cawimmer, Thank you! I owe you a beer.

The translations are a bit gimmicky since the brochure's second page talks about the world's dwindling resources and how fuel economy and environmental controls are becoming more important. Funny that this is mention in an SLC brochure! I mean 450SLC 5.0? Hello, Mercedes?

The brochure then goes on to talk about how Mercedes is committed to helping the environment and improving fuel economy. How they built the worlds first diesel sedan and with fuel-injection and how these two technologies are a step in the right direction. The 450SLC 5.0 is also a step in the right direction.

How so? Through weight-saving material, new engine technologies, efficient coefficient of drag design, lower engine noise and emissions output.


The page with the engine picture is basically a repetition of what was mentioned in the beginning. Light-weight construction, low emissions, a fuel consumption of "only" 14.5 L / 100 km etc.


That is actually the good stuff right there. From experience, MB brochures tend to be very repetitive, but it works!

No problem.

A fuel consumption of 14.5 L / 100 km in those days was "economical", especially for a behemoth like the SLC. There was also a 280SLC which was only sold in Europe which barely delivered better fuel economy (in the 11-12 L / 100 km range).

Yeah, I agree that the upcoming SLC should have at least some design cues based on the C107 as a means of honoring or paying homage to this great design. It probably will not since this car seems to be all but forgotten even at Mercedes.

I found a little more info on BRUISER I thought I would share. It was imported to the U.S. as a grey market car in late 1981 early 1982. The car is euro spec (smaller cleaner bumpers no catalytic converter and speedo in kph). It was later brought to Canada in late 1988. I am still trying to get more info out of AMG and am pretty sure they will have to dust off a few file cabinets to find anything on this particular car, maybe if I ask nicely they would let me check there file cabinets myself.