Retrospection: The Lost Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC

Who today remembers the 450SLC?

Was it an SL, an S-Class, or both?

When recalling one of Stuttgart’s finest, I tend to remember the car in the context of the last category. It clearly is an SL, the very model designation tells us this.

However, it is more than what the regular roadster offered in that it accommodated four passengers in a 2 + 2 seating arrangement. Those who were stuck in the rear seats found very cramped quarters, but also privacy.

Unique to the 450SLC were metal privacy “curtains” (for lack of a better term) that covered the rear window such that it was possible for the passengers inside to look out, but outsiders could not look in. Rather clever, and in my opinion it constitutes a nice bit of styling.

The 450SLC was a pillarless two door of the 1970s. The body series designation was W107. The SLC range was produced from 1971-1981. In that decade some 33,375 450SLCs were produced, of which, 1,636 were made with a 5.0 liter V-8 engine replacing the 4.5 liter powerplant in the final three years of production.


The car was for all intents and purposes a stretched edition of an SL roadster. In this way, it could be considered the coupé stablemate of the W116 S-Class sedan. The 450SLC was 14.2 inches longer than the 450SL; sat on a wheelbase 14.1 inches longer; and was 2 inches taller than the roadster.

At 3,704 lbs, the Benz was a hefty car, though considerably lighter than its contemporary successor, the CL500 (4,085 lbs).

I remember as a kid riding in my aunt’s 450SLC, listening to Madonna and chewing Bazooka bubblegum. It was an elegant car – lovely navy blue on stately grey. I recall liking the cat-eared headrests, the oval air-conditioning vents, and the crenellated steering wheel.

That particular 450SLC was prone to trouble from the moment it left the showroom floor. Actually, the battery had died so the Benz dealer had to roll it off the floor. Despite this, it was an admirable car.

So, who today remembers the 450SLC?

I do. Fondly.