Description
THIS CAR
- For those that know, the 450SLC 5. 0 is quite a special car.
- Despite its reserved executive appearance, this is a true homologation special – developed by Mercedes-Benz in order to take the brand to new heights in the world of long-distance endurance rallying.
- Lightweight aluminium body panels, an all-alloy version of Mercedes’ legendary M117 V8, and a slightly tweaked rear axle ratio, turned this refined pillarless coupe into a 140mph world-beater on the world’s toughest terrain.
- Fewer than 3, 000 of these cars were ever built, making them a rare sight on the roads today. But a real treat for those that recognise the importance of the wonderfully discreet ‘5. 0’ badge on the rear.
- This particular example was first registered in January 1978 for the Danish market.
- Previously on display at a Hungarian museum, lightly converted into rally specification and campaigned at a number of local events – like the 2010 MECSEK Historic Rallye.
- The car was then purchased by Australian rally verteran, Rob Garnsworthy, via the world renowned Mercedes-Benz specialists, Mechantronik, in Germany. Over the next few years, Rob would invest a huge amount of time, money and expertise in developing the car into a serious endurance rally competitor.
- The car was then acquired by the current owner in 2018, with a view to entering the car into the infamous London to Sydney event.
- However, upon inspection, the view was taken that to tackle such an epic and arduous journey, further engineering development was required.
- As such, the car was entrusted to Ian Wright in 2019 for a £40, 000 overhaul. As you might expect, the result was a remarkably robust and capable rally car. And so it was a huge shame to all involved when the London to Sydney was cancelled due to Covid.
- Since then, the car has largely remained in storage, with the exception of a ~8, 500 kms European road trip last year, in which it performed faultlessly.
- What we have here, then, is a fantastic opportunity to acquire not only a rare piece of Mercedes-Benz’s rich competition history, but a fully prepared entrant to any of the world’s greatest motoring adventures.
- Very rarely do historic endurance rally cars combine rarity, style, comfort, performance, reliability and collectibility, all in one package. But this 450SLC 5. 0 does, and we urge anyone interested to get in touch and book in a viewing!
