SOLD 1981 Mercedes-Benz 500SLC

Homologation Special

Very limited in production at an estimated 1,000 cars built between March of 1980 and September of 1981, the powerhouse 500SLC was produced for general consumption by Mercedes-Benz specifically as a means to qualify for FIA racing standards. In other words, in order to race competitively, Mercedes-Benz needed to homologate the car by producing at least 1,000 production vehicles to accompany their fleet of official rally cars which the manufacturer wished to run in elite racing events across the globe. The 450SLC 5.0, and the final iteration 500SLC, is among the rarest post war Mercedes-Benz models and was sold new only in the European market, becoming a very desirable car for “grey market” import in period by American consumers seeking the most robust of Mercedes-Benz’ products.

The combination of lighter weights with higher horsepower than its predecessors made the 450SLC 5.0 and the later produced 500SLC a quick and competitive rally car. Mercedes-Benz raced these cars quite successfully behind the powerful 5 liter V8 engine in the World Rally Championship Series including noteworthy first place finishes at the Ivory Coast Rally in 1979 and 1980. Other performances worth a mention including competitive showings at the Rally of Argentina, Rally of New Zealand, Acropolis Rally and Portugal Rally. These cars were given massive factory support under the leadership of Eric Waxenberger, and because the Managing Board of MBAG officially withdrew from world rallying in 1980, the 5.0 liter “beast” that is the 500SLC is the last factory-sponsored wholly Mercedes rally homologation model.

The 500SLC differs from the stock 450SLC’s that came before it in several important and distinctive ways. The hood and trunk lids on the 5.0, both 450SLC 5.0 and 500SLC, are made from aluminum instead of steel for a significant weight savings. The car weighs 3,333lbs, which is 220lbs less than the standard SLC. To emphasize the lengths to which Mercedes-Benz went to upgrade the car for homologation purposes, and thus racing, the German outfit even included an alloy air cleaner to add to the weight savings. The front and rear aerodynamic spoilers that the factory added also result in a 9 – 10 % reduction in wind resistance and a top speed for the 500SLC which exceeds 142MPH.

The 450SLC 5.0 and 500SLC were the very first Mercedes-Benz models fitted when new with an aluminum block V-8 production motor which is of course lighter than the standard block found in a stock 450SLC . The 5.0 liter engine produces in excess of 240 HP and 350lbs of torque; a true blacktop powerhouse in its day. The 5.0 engine also features factory reworked heads with larger valves, pressure fed valve adjusters, cross-bolted main bearing caps (4 bolt mains in hot rod parlance) and many other special tweaks towards performance. The 500SLC also features an upgraded 4-speed automatic transmission. This 5.0 Mercedes was truly designed both as a rare beauty in its pillar-less coupe design, and as a rare rally racing inspired beast.

The unusually well cared for, all original, 500SLC offered here was manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart plant on March 16^th, 1981. According to the data card accompanying the car, it was painted 473 Champagne with a 233 Brown Leather interior and a burled walnut wood dash. The car was optioned from new with a sunroof, ABS brakes, right hand side mirror, Becker Mexico cassette player, automatic antenna, air conditioning, tinted glass, headlight washers, fire extinguisher, limited slip differential and both seats heated. This car was fully optioned from new and retains all of its factory features in exceptional original condition today.

According to the car’s original German title (Farzeugbrief), the first owner of this 500SLC was Fa. Werker Grundstuckgesellschaft of Wolfsburg, Germany. Under this original ownership, as noted in the original service booklet that comes with the car, this 500SLC was routinely serviced with mileage noted at each servicing. In May of 1985, collector Kurt Drews of Apple Valley, Minnesota had been looking for a 5 liter SLC to import for some time and found this car as offered by Karl Geuther GMBH & Co of Bremen, Germany. The car was still in the original ownership and on consignment with low mileage, thus Drews agreed to purchase the powerful 107 Mercedes, thereafter shipping it to his home in Minnesota.

At the time of purchase by Drews, the car had traveled 82,448 kilometers. Imported to the United States in August of 1985, the car was converted from kilometers to miles on the odometer, and for the next 36 years Kurt Drews put about 10,000 well cared for miles on the car, meticulously noting the mileage along with making detailed servicing notes. In addition to great record keeping, Kurt Drews kept meticulous care of this special Mercedes, always garaging the car and never driving it in the rain. Today the car shows just 61,594 miles, appearing in superb all original condition as much less.

This rare Mercedes-Benz powerhouse 500SLC is in spectacular all original condition and comes with all original books including service booklet, copy of the Farzeugbrief (original German title), copy of factory data card, meticulously documented mileage, period photos going back to 1984 in addition to all importation documents and service records. A special Mercedes by any standard, worthy of concours showing in preservation classes and ready for daily exhilaration on the road.