1978 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC-5.0
Encouraged by the success of the 450 SLC in the 1978 South American Rally, Mercedes-Benz updated the base model to suit future racing. A minimum number of road cars needed to be made for homologation purpose that reflected any updates. The most important of these is the all aluminum 5-liter engine developed for the rally cars.
Capable of 240 bhp, the new engine had considerably more power and also reduced the weight of the already heavy 450 coupe. Futhermore Mercedes-Benz fitted lightweight aluminum panels such hood and trunk. The cars retained the standard 3-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter.1
Racing versions of the 450 SLC-5.0 were eligible as a Group 4 rally car and were stripped out and entered in events like the African Safari Rally, and Ivory Coast Rally. By 1980, the model was replaced by the 4,975cc, Group 2, 500 SLC.
In total only 1,470 cars had the 5.0 engine compared to 31,739 standard cast iron cars. A correct 450 SLC-5.0 will have a VIN that starts with 107026, it won’t have a chrome strip underneath the Mercedes badge on the trunk.
Sources and Further Reading.
1.Greg. ‘The 5-litre SLC Rally Cars’. Das Rundschreiben. June/July 2005.
In Detail
| tags | c107 |
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Munich, Germany |
| body stylist | Bruno Sacco |
| production | 1470 |
| engine | 90º V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | All Aluminum |
| valvetrain | Chain Driven SOHC, 2 Valves per Cy |
| fuel feed | Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection |
| displacement | 5025 cc / 306.64 in³ |
| compression | 8.8:1 |
| power | 179.0 kw / 240 bhp |
| specific output | 47.76 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 142.01 bhp per tonne |
| body / frame | Type R107 Unitary Steel Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 205/70VR14 |
| rear tires | 205/70VR14 |
| front brakes | Discs |
| rear brakes | Discs |
| steering | Recirculating Ball |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Swing Axles w/w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar |
| curb weight | 1690 kg / 3726 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2820 mm / 111.0 in |
| front track | 1452 mm / 57.2 in |
| rear track | 1440 mm / 56.7 in |
| length | 4750 mm / 187.0 in |
| width | 1790 mm / 70.5 in |
| height | 1330 mm / 52.4 in |
| transmission | 3-Speed Automatic |
| final drive | 3.07:1 |
