1981 Mercedes-Benz C107 280SLC

A rare, exceptionally low mileage, 1981 C107. That’s no mistake either with the C being for coupe as this a 280 SLC, the R107 SL’s fixed-head relation. At a glance it could be an SL with its hardtop on, but the informed will realise that this is a different car, albeit very closely related, and riding on a slightly stretched platform. That creates a roomier cabin with space in the back seat for two adults, or three if they’re very friendly/slim.

The SLC is a rare groove car and this one is among the best we’ve seen here at SLSHOP. Finished in Astral Silver Metallic with a very period-correct contrasting dark blue velour interior, in the 43 years it’s been since it was delivered to its first owner it’s travelled a mere 13,116 miles. The first owner kept it for 12 months, and the second owner has lovingly cared for the car ever since. That means this rare, cool car is pretty much as it was on that delivery day back in 1981 and is begging for its next owner to use and enjoy it as it should be.

We’ve seen plenty of SLs with this sort of mileage, but the SLC, with its fixed head and greater practicality and space would more likely have been used all year round. Finding one with such a tiny mileage really is unusual, and, naturally, that’s reflected in its condition. Save for a few minor rubber consumable perishable service items, it's outstanding. The interior shows no sign of use, similarly, the boot is immaculate, though being a car of the 80’s is almost certain to have carried some golf clubs at some point… Under the bonnet it’s more of the same, as we’d expected, this SLC having clearly spent a good deal of its life dry stored.

With so few miles on it there’s no file bursting with receipts for restoration work or other fixes as this car has simply never needed it. What scant paperwork that does come with the car is enough to ascertain that when it’s been in use it’s been serviced, with the official service log having plenty of stamps in it as evidence of that. There’s a couple of MOTs in there, too, one with a big fail, but worry not, it was for a misaligned headlight – and nothing else. Among the accompanying thin pile of papers is an original SLC brochure, which is very cool, as well as a leaf of paper for First Aid at the Roadside, something that might come in useful should you ever need to use the first aid bag that resides in a neat, lidded cubby on the rear parcel shelf.

An interesting, rare, and more practical alternative to its roadster relative, the 280 SLC is an unusual car, and even more so in this kind of spectacular condition. This really is a collector’s grade car, though also one that we’d like to see used and enjoyed as it should be – it would do it no harm at all to add double, treble or more its tiny mileage. A talking point at any cars and coffee, or just something super cool to cruise around in, the SLC’s always cut its own path, and this one really is among the best we’ve ever seen. If the condition of the exterior isn’t enough to convince you, then that wonderful velour interior should. We like this car a lot here, and anticipate others will too, so don’t expect it to be around for long.