Up for auction is this 1977 Mercedes 450SLC, finished in red and silver two tone over a cream MB-Tex interior, has a 4.5 liter V8 and a three speed automatic transmission.

Most enthusiasts are aware of the AMG version of modern Mercedes, as they represent the fastest versions of any Mercedes model. But in the 70’s and 80’s, they were an independent company that specialized in making both streetand track versions of Mercedes sedans and coupes. So, this SLC is rare and interesting in that it was modified by AMG before it was an official performance division of Mercedes.

This example was bought brand new by a woman in Germany, who then moved to California in 1985 and brought her car with her. She wound up having the SLC federalized for her legal use in the United States, which she did for the next two decades. With 114,138 miles, this is a rare version of a rare fixed-head R107 chassis Mercedes, in excellent cosmetic and mechanical shape.

The SLC was always an interesting version of the Mercedes R107 chassis. It features an extended length, mostly in the area behind the front seats, to allow a rear seat that was still a very tight fit for adults, and a fixed roof instead of the SL’s fabric convertible top with a removable hardtop. The SLC’s signature louvred side window ahead of the C-pillar is the most distinctive element. The distinctive feature of this example is the two-tone paint job, with the original full red factory paint augmented by silver running below the rubber trim line around the whole car.

The specific AMG parts evident on the exterior include the Penta wheels, an early AMG standard, finished in black with a polished lip, the front air dam, and rear trunk lip spoiler. This car also features the European specification headlamps in place of the four round sealed beam lights US spec cars used in the era, and the much slimmer and tighter bumpers, lighter both in weight and look compared to the 5 mph impact bumpers.

The interior is almost perfectly period correct and factory for this SLC. The light tan interior features seats made with the legendary MB-Tex material, durable and tough, and looking almost new in this example. The black dash top is clean and unwarped, showing no sun damage, with no cracks evident. The four-spoke AMG wheel is wrapped in leather, and by itself is a rare item, out of production and highly desirable. All the instrumentation is in working order, classic big dials easily legible at night, and the climate control system is in good working order. The aftermarket Clarion AM/FM cassette radio is fully functional and very 80’s appropriate.

The drivetrain is standard factory issue for Mercedes, with the 4.5 liter V8 in excellent running condition, and the factory three speed automatic is in great shape as well. The undercarriage of this SLC is remarkably free from any corrosion, with clear evidence of fresh suspension work. The years spent in Southern California clearly meant the car rarely suffered bad weather, and the body’s structural integrity is on display in the pictures.

What’s in a name? The AMG badge is everywhere these days, but for a car in this era, this is a truly rare occurrence. The only official North American AMG dealer and importer was based in Santa Ana, and even participated in the regular federalization of “grey market” Mercedes models, before Mercedes heavily pressured the US government to limit unofficial imports of new cars – and succeeded. This SLC is a glimpse of a very specific point in time, and is truly special on its own merits. This SLC is both a cool car and a cool story, and worth looking into.