Lot 524: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC Coupé

The last word in motoring opulence in its day, this beautiful left-hand drive 450SLC was originally the property of the Sultan of Oman, being one of four identical examples supplied to him new by Mercedes-Benz in 1979. In 1986 the car was purchased by an officer of the Royal Air Force on secondment, who proceeded to commission a total ground-up, remanufacture of the vehicle using all new parts supplied by the factory. The vehicle was stripped back to the bare bodyshell with all the sub-frames, running gear and interior removed. Then, with the aid of the Mercedes-Benz dealer in Oman, and using their technicians, the vehicle was remanufactured completely. Mercedes-Benz then flew one of their top paint technicians from Stuttgart to Oman to oversee the refinishing and even supplied the vehicle with a brand new and complete V8 engine which they stamped with the original’s number. Originally supplied in Champagne metallic, the car was then refinished in Smoke Silver metallic, a slightly later colour. A completely new interior was commissioned in the original Parchment velour while an upgraded climate control system, later-style 15-hole flat-faced alloy wheels and ‘mph’ instrumentation were fitted.
A partial photographic record of the work carried out is available, and a parts inventory, detailing the approximately 1,000 new parts used, right down to the smallest nut, bolt, washer and screw, is also available. All of the exposed parts used were powder-coated for added protection and the chassis sealed. The work involved is estimated to have cost circa £55,000 and took three years to complete.
In 1992 the owner moved back to the UK, whereupon he passed this extraordinary SLC on to his brother. At the time of the rebuild the vehicle had covered 55,000 kilometres and, taking into account the mileage since rebuild, we can report that the car has covered a modest 58,000 miles in total. Expired MoTs and other history are available since the car was brought to the UK. Combined with the enormous volume of paperwork concerning the rebuild, this 450 SLC possesses not only the very highest provenance, but is also the very best of its marque that we have ever seen, and must surely be considered unique. The car is offered with current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5 registration document, while the original ‘left-hand drive’ headlights are supplied also together two sets of tailored mats.