• Full-service history

• Recent bulkhead overhaul

• Excellent interior

• Rare in 380 SLC form

Let's' consider the virtues of the popular R107 Mercedes SL. Famous for its robust engineering, parts availability and ability to deal with modern conditions, you might be forgiven for thinking that that’s all one may need in a classic car. Yet, the longer wheelbase of the Coupe provides superior cabin space, with the roof offering extra rigidity to making it a better long-distance cruiser. 

The elegantly designed SL Coupe, particularly in V8 form, also offers a slightly more refined driving character than its more common sister, without sacrificing the bulletproof credentials of the brand.

This 1980 380 SLC Automatic, distinguishable by its rear quarter window slats, uses the later generation of the robust V8 power plant but managed to almost match the performance of the bigger engined cars, as well as offering a notable fuel saving. 

Considered a rare car in this guise, this example has seen several careful owners, as demonstrated by its full-service history, thousand of pounds worth of work and lower than average mileage. It comes complete with a recently overhauled bulkhead and a beautifully maintained interior.

Registered in London in late 1980, the car has remained in the south-east of the UK throughout its life. Much of the previous 6 owners expenditures have been documented in the paperwork, helping us to back up the current mileage reading of just 84,580 miles. 

Due to its excellent service schedule and a good body of paperwork, the car ended up in the hands of Edward Hall, a well known Mercedes specialist who sold the car to its present owner in 2018. The current owner has an enviable 30-year history of enjoying many classic and sports cars over the years, but the SLC appealed to him thanks to its virtues of the smooth V8 and soothing driving experience of the car. 

Used regularly, mostly as a weekend car, it has also been allowed to stretch its legs to Scotland and back, with the owner commenting on its flawless and refined delivery on the motorway. 

The car has seen much attention lavished on the mechanics in the past and has also seen a substantial amount of spending during the 3 years of his ownership, which includes important items such as its bulkhead restoration and work on the suspension and cooling. He has decided to consolidate his collection to focus on his other cars and regrettably feels that the Mercedes is the one to leave the stable. 

The car comes with a pleasing amount of paperwork, all of which helps to build a positive profile of the cars maintenance history. It has seen servicing attention over its 41 years, displaying regular stamps and comes with a good stack of previous MOT’s dating back to 1986. Among some of the invoices from that era, includes a new exhaust, viscous coupling, radiator, air-con work and a thermostat. 

Even when the car passed on to new hands into the ’90s the spending continued, which included a new water pump and another exhaust. Over the last twenty years, the car has seen extensive work to the brakes, suspension, bushes and cooling. 

The current owner has spent in the excess of 4K during his three years of ownership, which includes a front bulkhead restoration alongside attention given to the heating box, air-con and subframe bushes along with a new windscreen. The car has an MOT to Aug 2022.

The SLC offers an enticing interior appeal and has clearly been well looked after. The two-tone seats have seen a refurb in recent years and as a result, they are in very good condition with no marks or wear. They retain their firmness and should provide years of comfort. The rear bench has slight scoring on the right-hand side. 

The carpeting and rear mats are in excellent order, with very little in terms of damage. The boot carpet follows the same story and like the passenger compartment, are all dry and free from dampness. The rear parcel shelf has been professionally converted to adapt a speaker system, with the first aid kit now located in the boot. The car has seen an Alpine Stereo/CD player upgrade, but the Becker tape player has also been retained and comes with the car.  The roof headlining and trim is good with no damage and has clean door cards with no scuffs.

The dashboard is in very good order, with no significant signs of wear or cracks. The veneer finishing has worn in places but is otherwise free from damage. The controls and switchgear have lasted well and are all functional, including all four electric windows, cruise control, sunroof and air-con, although the fan switch needs adjusting as it has been known to malfunction on occasion. The gear lever and steering wheel show limited wear and finishes off the decent cabin nicely.

The underside of the car looks good, with the engine bay and boot floor appearing to be solid. The front bulkhead has seen extensive recent work but the rear section of the sills, where it meets the floor pan may require investigation. The inner wings, chassis rails and sills look strong with suggestions of corrosion in areas. 

However, it's worth bearing in mind that none of these issues has been flagged up as advisories on the very recent MOT. The body flows nicely, with evenly fitting panels and equal panel gaps throughout. The doors open and close with no obstructions, with their rubbers in a generally good state. 

The car is free from body damage with only a couple of light dents observed, namely on the nearside rear arch as a result of a low-speed encounter with a wooden post and a ding underneath the nearside rear bumper. 

The car has been recently subjected to a recent professional valet and the paint finish holds up well with even coverage and deep shine. The astral silver hue suits the cars handsome styling and helps to betray the age of the car. There are a handful of paint imperfections spotted, with the odd chip noted in places and a little peeling lacquer around window trims and nearside top of the C pillar. 

The car does have a few minor blemishes developing under the paint, with the main points noted on the bonnet around the emblem, small areas around the front wings, sunroof aperture and the base of the rear screen. In addition, there are some bubbles developing on the nearside door and rear wings but at the moment these issues are in a manageable state and do not distract from the cars overall pleasing presentation. Corrosion was noted at the very base of the passenger door and the rear off-side bottom edge of the wing where it meets the rear valance. 

The heat-insulating glass is all good, with no damage in terms of chips or lamination issues. The back and front screen rubbers are good but the side window trim may need investigation. The lighting and lenses are decent with no damage, with a little condensation noted in the nearside front headlamp. 

The chrome is in very good condition, with no significant signs of damage, there are light signs of age on the bumper rubbers but are free from major scuffs or damage. The 14” bundt style alloys are in good shape, with minor wear, but free from kerb damage. The Falken tyres have good tread but are over 10 years old and two of them display cracks on their sidewalls - one of which has been flagged up as an MOT advisory.  

The car performs admirably as testified by the brief but engaging journey along the leafy country lanes, with no issues of note to question the cars mechanical durability. Starting up instantly, with no unwanted noises or smoke, the V8 engine is smooth with no knocking or tapping. The exhaust may have a slight blow. 

The dashboard warning lights all remained off during the short drive, with no issues with the oil pressure or cooling. The ride is exceptionally smooth, with the recently fitted dampers dealing with the ruts and potholes in their stride. The steering stayed true and free from vibrations, with no issues noted from the brakes. 

The car develops its power confidently, pulling very well through all of the auto gear shifts. As mentioned, it has seen a regular servicing schedule, as well as ancillary and cooling attention. Furthermore, the engine has been subject to a health check by Edward Hall, just before the owner took delivery of the car, with the car covering around 1000 miles since then. 

While the physical condition of some of the engine components may look a little weathered in places, it functions as well as any well-maintained 40-year-old Mercedes V8 engine, with the owner stating that they are very confident in the cars ability to take him anywhere. 

The SLC keys are not often placed into the glass bowl as the first choice for those looking for a 1970’s style V8 coupe, but given the brand's legendary reputation for mechanical hardiness, class-leading build quality and comparatively straightforward mechanics, its something of a well-kept secret. 

This car, with the backup of proven maintenance throughout its life, and its ability to still munch up miles in comfort, the SLC offers a roomy, refined, practical yet brisk option to those looking for the perfect all-rounder, without the headaches normally associated with classic V8 luxury touring cars.