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LOT 42

1979 Mercedes Benz SLC 5.0 Lightweight Homologation Coupe Chassis no. 107 026 12 01107 Engine no. 117 960 12 001097

Sold for US$24,640 inc. premium
Lot 42

1979 Mercedes Benz SLC 5.0 Lightweight Homologation Coupe

Quail Motorcar Auction|14 August 2020, 11:00 PDT|Los Angeles

1979 Mercedes Benz SLC 5.0 Lightweight Homologation Coupe
Chassis no. 107 026 12 01107
Engine no. 117 960 12 001097


5.025-liter DOHC V8 Engine
Bosch CIS Fuel Injection
240 DIN hp at 5000 rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front and Rear Suspension
4-wheel Power-assisted Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Wheelbase: 111 inches

*An authentic SLC 5.0 Lightweight Homologated for FIA Group 2 rallying
*Matching numbers
*Original German delivery, exported to the US in 1984
*Documented ownership history from new
*Brilliant performance


Previewing in Memphis, Tennessee by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.


The 1979 Mercedes Benz SLC 5.0 Lightweight Homologation Coupe

The Mercedes-Benz SL coupes of the 1970s and early 1980s are familiar to all of us, as are the less common longer-wheelbase 450 SLCs, but the five-liter SLC Lightweight is something else altogether. In 1979, Mercedes-Benz wanted to prove its new generation of aluminum-alloy engines, so it decided to build a small series of cars for racing and rallying based on the SLC. 1470 examples were built for road use, just enough to meet ONS/FIA homologation for Group 2. Several were successfully campaigned by the factory and others by privateers. The remainder went to enthusiasts who knew a wolf in sheep's clothing when they saw one.
The factory made a serious effort to reduce the SLC's weight. The street versions retained many options, such as a sunroof, climate control, electric seats, central locking, and cruise control, but the hood, trunk lid, and doors were stamped from light alloy. This brought weight down to about 3300 pounds, some 300 pounds less than a standard SLC. Fitted with its new alloy V8 displacing just over five liters and a four-speed automatic transmission, the Competition SLC was capable of 140 miles per hour. Power-assisted disc brakes were standard, along with wider alloy wheels.

The Motorcar Offered

This 1979 Mercedes SLC 5.0 Lightweight Coupe is the 1107th built. It was delivered new to Toni Erker of Gorlitzerstr., West Germany. Mr. Charles Daniel purchased the car from Erker in February of 1984, and it remained in his collection until it was donated to the consignor's museum in 2015. On arriving in the US, the car was Federalized to meet NHTSA standards. The new odometer was re-set to reflect the actual total miles and currently reads 47,443. This exciting car has benefitted from one respray in its original Astral Silver Metallic and is said to be in good running order. Rare, fast, elegant, and very comfortable, this SLC 5.0 Lightweight Coupe is sure to star at any Mercedes club gathering.



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