Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 450 › 450 SLC 5.0 / 500 SLC (C 107) · Factory competition · 1978–1981 Rare

Mercedes-Benz
450 SLC 5.0 / 500 SLC (C 107)

Light-alloy 5.0-litre V8 homologation version of the SLC coupé for rallying (works rally cars are listed separately).

IDENTIFICATION CARD · MERCEDES-BENZ 450 SLC 5.0 / 500 SLC (C 107) 1978–1981
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
2,769BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
2,769 Built
Years
1978–1981
Engine
Front, longitudinal; eight cylinders in 90 degree V, light-alloy block · 5,025 cc / 5.0 LFactory: 5,025 cc
Power
179 kW / 243 PSFactory: 240 hp · converted
Top speed
225 km/hFactory: 225 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 450 SLC 5.0 and the 500 SLC that followed it were lighter and more powerful than the earlier 4.5-litre SLC, using a new light-alloy 5.0-litre V8 and aluminium body panels. RM Sotheby's calls the 450 SLC 5.0 a homologation special for long-distance rallying and the rarest of all 107-series cars; the cars were produced in a combined total of 2,769.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityRare 2,769 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model production450 SLC 5.0 and 500 SLC combined 2,7691,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The archive lists the 450 SLC 5.0 with a pre-series from September 1977 and standard production from May 1978 until March 1980. From May 1979 the engine was reduced slightly in bore, giving 4973 cc instead of 5025 cc. The 500 SLC replaced it from March 1980 and was built until September 1981; it had a four-speed automatic transmission and a quicker 0-100 km/h time of 7.8 s against 8.5 s. Both versions are rated 240 hp.

Bonhams describes a weight saving of over 100 kg against the older 4.5-litre SLC through aluminium bonnet, boot lid and wheels, plus front and rear spoilers. RM Sotheby's adds the doors, and a Bonhams catalogue for a homologation-type car says bonnet, boot lid and doors were stamped from light alloy, with a weight near 3300 lb. Competition versions won the Rallye Cote d'Ivoire in 1979 and 1980, according to RM Sotheby's.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 450 SLC 5.0 / 500 SLC (C 107).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 117 E 50 / 117.9601
LayoutFront, longitudinal; eight cylinders in 90 degree V, light-alloy block1
Cylinders81
Displacement 5,025 cc / 5.0 LFactory: 5,025 cc1Tax figure 4990 cc. From 05.1979 (and on the 500 SLC) the archive gives 4973 cc (tax 4939 cc).
Bore 97 mmFactory: 97 mm1From 05.1979 and on the 500 SLC the bore is 96.5 mm.
Stroke 85 mmFactory: 85 mm1
Compression ratio8.8:11
Valvetrain1 intake and 1 exhaust valve per cylinder, overhead; 1 overhead camshaft per cylinder bank, double roller chain drive1
Fuel systemManifold injection, mechanically controlled (Bosch K-Jetronic)1
Power 179 kW / 243 PSFactory: 240 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturerSame 240 hp / 177 kW at 5000 rpm is given for the 500 SLC.
Power at 5,000 rpm1
Torque 402 Nm / 41 kgmFactory: 41 kgm1The archive writes the unit as mkg (metre-kilograms).
Torque at 3,200 rpm1

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox3-speed automatic transmission (planetary gear system, hydraulic torque converter)1The 500 SLC (from 03.1980) has a 4-speed automatic with ratios I. 3.68; II. 2.41; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 5.14.
Gears314 on the 500 SLC.
Gear ratiosI: 2.31; II: 1.46; III: 1.0; R: 1.841
Final drive2.721
Driven wheelsRear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisSteel unit body1
Front suspensionDouble wishbone with coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension and torsion bar stabiliser1
Rear suspensionTwist-beam axle (semi-trailing arm axle with starting- and braking-torque compensation); coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, torsion bar stabiliser; hydropneumatic level control optional1
BrakesHydraulic dual-circuit with vacuum booster; disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear1
SteeringRecirculating-ball power steering1
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,815 mmFactory: 2,815 mm1
Length 4,750 mmFactory: 4,750 mm1
Width 1,790 mmFactory: 1,790 mm1
Height 1,330 mmFactory: 1,330 mm1
Front track 1,452 mmFactory: 1,452 mm1
Rear track 1,440 mmFactory: 1,440 mm1
Kerb weight 1,515 kgFactory: 1,515 kg1DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit. Same figure for the 500 SLC.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 225 km/hFactory: 225 km/h1
0–100 km/h 8.5 s17.8 s for the 500 SLC (4-speed automatic).
Fuel tank 90 LFactory: 90 L1Source states l.
Fuel consumption 14.5 L/100kmFactory: 14.5 L/100km1Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 14.5 l

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The factory type is 107.026 (design name C 107 E 50). The engine is the light-alloy M 117 E 50, internal code 117.960, with a 90-litre tank above the rear axle and light-alloy wheels on 6 1/2 J x 14 rims with 205/70 VR 14 tyres. The 450 SLC 5.0 has a 3-speed automatic with a 2.72 final drive; the 500 SLC has a 4-speed automatic.

Numbering on a documented car shows the pattern: chassis 107 026 12 01107 with engine 117 960 12 001097 on a 1979 car sold as a lightweight homologation coupe, and chassis 107 026 1200 1674 on a 1980 car built to European specification. A factory data card and service book help prove a car's original specification.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    450 SLC 5.0 / C 107 E 50, 1978 - 1980 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : a total of 2769 (models 450 SLC 5,0 and 500 SLC)
    • Engine type : M 117 E 50 / 117.960 (Specifications)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 8 / 90° V; light-alloy block (Specifications)
    • Total displacement : 5025 cc (tax 4990 cc), from 05.1979: 4973 cc (Specifications)
    • Bore x Stroke : 97 x 85 mm; from 05.1979: 96.5 x 85 mm (Specifications)
    • Compression ratio : 8.8 (Specifications)
    • Valve operation : 1 overhead camshaft per cylinder bank (Specifications)
    • Fuel system : manifold injection, mechanically controlled (Bosch K-Jetronic) (Specifications)
    • Rated output : 240 hp / 177 kW at 5000 rpm (Specifications)
    • Rated torque : 41 mkg at 3200 rpm (Specifications)
    • Gearing : 3-speed automatic transmission (Specifications)
    • Gear ratios : I: 2.31; II: 1.46; III: 1.0; R: 1.84 (Specifications)
    • Final drive ratio : 2.72 (Specifications)
    • Driven wheels : rear wheels (Specifications)
    • Frame design : steel unit body (Specifications)
    • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Specifications)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : twist-beam axle ... hydropneumatic level control optional (Specifications)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with vacuum booster (Specifications)
    • Steering : recirculating-ball power steering (Specifications)
    • Wheelbase : 2815 mm (Specifications)
    • Length : 4750 mm (Specifications)
    • Width : 1790 mm (Specifications)
    • Height : 1330 mm (Specifications)
    • Front / rear track : 1452 / 1440 mm (Specifications)
    • Kerb weight : 1515 kg (Specifications)
    • Maximum speed : 225 km/h (Specifications)
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 8.5 s (Specifications)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : above the rear axle / 90 l (Specifications)
    • Fuel consumption : 14.5 l (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Mercedes-Benz Classic M@RS archive – 450 SLC 5.0 Level A
    • 2769 450 SLC 5.0 and 500 SLC combined
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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