By Antti Kautonen
Slow and steady, the snow dunes are receding in my neck of the woods and the sun comes out. The spring has been uncharacteristically late here, and I still wouldn’t want to swap on summer rubber, so not to end up in a ditch one night. However, what progress there is, is surely helped by this glorious green 1976 Mercedes-Benz SLC I saw in Helsinki.
While it’s “only” a 280SLC, the lustrous emerald green paint and perfect condition more than make up for any power shortcomings.
The Mercedes has probably been restored at some point in its life, bringing it to the condition here. The CCR plates denote it as a late-’90s import, and they’ve been swapped for white-on-black plates when the car has been historic registered.
Being a 1976 model, the automatic gearbox on this car was still a three-speed unit, rather than the 4-speed in 1980 and 1981 cars. That means the 185hp twin-cam straight-six here probably has its progress hampered just a touch.
The “sunshades” on the SLC’s C-pillars have always looked a bit funny to me, and the wheelbase a bit on the long side.
The interior was nothing short of spotless, and the steering wheel lock enormous.
Of course, not long after I was out taking these photos, this happened:
The heavens opened and it started to snow again. Apparently, there’s only so much a single green Mercedes can do.
[Images: Copyright 2012 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]
Reminds me of the split pea soup I had for lunch.
You ordered the Metallic Pea?
metallic pea? might want to get a doctor to check that out…
[youtube pTaTitRENDM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTaTitRENDM youtube]
Nice, big, wide, green coupe.
Fantastic. I'd rock this seven ways from Sunday. The matching hubcabs are a piece of resistance.
Last week it was still in the 20's in PA, yesterday it broke 70, it'll be in the 80's the rest of the week. What happened to spring!?!
Back when M-B badges really meant something about the engine/body style.
To be fair, they've gotten even more anal about the body style naming (see 190E/300E). As for the displacement, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
I've always had a soft spot for the SLCs. They look 'right' in Euro guise. American versions were a bit unfortunate, but the beauty is still there.
Hm. I've never seen a baguette being used as a theft deterrent.
Mais oui.
The owner is just showing off how much bread he's got.
As someone in the 6th month of snow-on-the-ground winter, I endorse this (looks out window at 7ft snow pile beside driveway)
I've never seen that colour before. Beautiful shade.
Always preferred the SLC to the SL, to be honest. Neat color on this one, quite rare I should think.
the 107 is the origin of my username :]
back before i drove cars i thought the SLC was the best because who's willing to compromise manly-man values like STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY and PERFORMANCE for the vain pretension of a convertible?
then i became old enough to drive and started driving my dad's US-market 380SL (155 furious, bloodthirsty horses). if you've never gotten a good heavy dose of top-down driving during the summer, let me tell you, there really is something to be said for convertibles.
i miss that car, especially in its top-down moments (not so much its moments in the shop). nonetheless, i do still appreciate the SLC for the proper back seats. my friends wouldn't have to sit on the parcel shelf. i also love the color-coded hubcaps on the older models, and the european-market headlights and bumpers.
Are you sure it was a 3 speed auto? All the M110 (twin cam 6's – 280S/SE/SEL/SL/SLC) had 4 spd auto's, the V8's had 3 spd untill the W126 arrived. Oh and the oficial colour is Citrus Green.
I just thought the plates meant the owner liked to bowl. Drive around. Listen to tapes. Have the occasional acid flashback.
My stepdad's second ex-wife's second husband had one of these.
CCR Rocks,
Hi
Color code is 874 Citrus green (citrus grun)
Mercedes SLC 280 to buy
http://www.pchlitarg.info.pl/1322,mercedes-slc