Silver Arrow: ’76 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC
The 450SLC is a 2 door hardtop coupe with relatively normal rear seats. Few people know (or care) that the SLC, is commonly referred to as a ‘SL coupe’, but in reality it was an S-class coupe, replacing the former sedan-based 280/300 SE coupé in Mercedes lineup. When they were available, they were the most expensive Mercedes in the line-up. At the time, many felt they looked a little awkward but we think the styling and importance of these low-slung coupes has a place in the collector car world. The build quality of these cars is top-notch and the venerable mechanically injected 4.5 liter engine is one of the most durable engines ever built. The 450SLC 5.0 was also pressed into service prepared for endurance rally competition. Today’s featured SLC is from an estate and is quite magnificent in silver with wheat interior. The seller says everything is in working order and the car exhibits minimal wear for its age. A look at the beautiful wheat colored leather interior will give you confidence that the statement has merit. They built about 20,000 between ’72 and ’77 so rarity is not in their favor. But they are undervalued in our opinion and should participate in appreciation in the future but only the best examples. This one could be one of them. The SLC is a useable car and can be pressed into daily driver status if it so moves you. No one will criticize you and they might think you were smarter than the rest of us. Driving a car like this for entry-level Kia money isn’t a bad idea. SCM Price Guide has these valued between $9 & $17,000. Click here for the eBay auction.