1981 Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (C107) |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1981 Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (C107)

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Mileage~95,289
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine2.8L
LocationMuswell Hill

AUCTION CLOSED

1981 Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC (C107)

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

Ultra relaxed with secure handling, the SLC is a Mercedes-Benz in every sense.

A stretched version of the well-known cabriolet SL models, these elegant and attractive fixed head coupes were well suited for long-distance cruising for four people and their luggage. With not much more than a 100lbs weight premium over the cabriolet version, its additional rigidity offers a uniquely distinctive style of its own, thanks to the pillarless styling and slat detailing.

It comes with an impressive servicing schedule, with the service book boasting four decades worth of stamps. With its visual and interior presentation also being kept in check, the car's current owner is making the most of the famous Mercedes-Benz dependability and vouches for its reputation for reliability. With its traditional virtues of Mercedes SL traits of refinement, practicality and a superb parts network, this 1981 280 SLC is a perfect introduction to the world of classic Mercedes-Benz coupes.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Jon the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I've used it as a daily driver, and it has never let me down over its three years of use.

Jon bought the car three years ago from a Mercedes collector, mainly to serve as a daily driver, using it for both commuting and the occasional school run. Impressed with its reliability and practicality, it was actually the second of two SLCs that he owned but elected to retain this one as it was a far better car.

The Mercedes-Benz is well suited to deal with modern driving conditions, but his interest in classic Rovers is his main focus. Because of this, he has decided that the funds from the sale of this SLC will go towards a new potential purchase. Jon will be on hand to answer any questions about the car in the comments section.

Jon

Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The pillarless aspect of its design just gets better with time, this car finished in the ever popular Signal Red.

Wheels and Tyres

The 15-hole light-alloy wheels have been subjected to a refurbishment around 10 years ago and have lasted well. Just a few signs of kerb damage on the rims as pictured.

The tyres have plenty of tread, the Nexen front tyres are recent fittings, and the rear ones are likely to be older than 20 years and show a little sidewall wear. View the images to see the details.

Bodywork

The car is sound underneath. The chassis rails look good with some signs of age noted in the engine bay, but the inner wings, floor pan, sills and boot floor are solid. The owner mentioned that the bulkhead was reported by a mechanic to be in good shape.

There are a handful of minor rust blisters developing in places, with a few noticed on the bonnet, around the sunroof and the odd blemish scatted on some lower panels, particularly around the arch lips but the car is free of dents and the panel fit is flush. The doors open and shut with ease. Watch the video to see the detail.

Paint

The Signal Red paint coverage is decent, with no signs of significant damage or chips observed. The colour match appears to be relatively even despite it seeing a respray in the past.

There are a few minor signs of orange peeling and imperfection observed, with the C-pillar and offside rear wing tops being the most noticeable, but doesn't distract from the car's overall positive presentation.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good shape, with no issues in terms of damage. Some of the rubber trim has aged somewhat but there is no evidence of water ingress. The distinctive rear C-pillar slats show minor signs of peeling paint on the off-side of the car.

The chrome trim has lasted well, with the odd imperfection noticed, but generally retains its lustre. The lighting is also good, with the odd minor crack noted on the plastic lenses. The bumpers and side trim are well placed with some age related marks but are remarkable free of parking damage.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Tastefully furnished, the interior retains that classic air of quality you get from this era of Mercedes-Benz.

Seats and Carpets

The grey fabric seats have lasted well, with only a section of the top driver's seat showing any damage. They have cover mats on them, which has helped to keep them clean.

The carpets are in good condition, all are damp-free and have a decent set of rubber mats. The boot carpet is aligned to the positive condition of the cabin, with no signs of heavy use. It is also fitted with rear seat belts.

Dashboard

The facia plastics have lasted well with no sun damage or cracks noted on the dashboard. The veneer shows minor signs of age in places but is complete and not cracked as is often common.

The dials, controls, switches and instruments are all in good shape. All of the interior controls are said to function. The door cards are tidy, with all four electric windows operating correctly. The headlining is free from damage, with minor signs of age in places.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel has aged well and the gear lever is in good shape, with minor signs of wear on the lever housing.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Robustly engineered to last, the car has yet to crack 100,000.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine fires up with no hesitation, with the straight-six settling down quickly with no fuss. It idles with no undulations and appears to be leak-free.

The engine visuals are typically workman-like but its presentation suggests that it has been well maintained with decent hoses, ancillaries and wiring. The gearbox is robust and selects gears with no slippage and kicks down with no issues. Please view the Mechanical video to observe Jon driving through the traffic.

Suspension and Brakes

The car has seen plenty of attention to its brakes over the years, so its stopping ability is not in doubt. They operate with smoothness and with no ill effects. The suspension and dampers deal with the roads in typical '80s Mercedes fashion.

They cushion the ride with a sense of elegance rather than sporting ability, which is well in keeping with the car's ability to cruise in comfort. No knocking or thuds were noted during the drive, the power-assisted steering remained strain-free.

The Drive

There is a reason why Jon has placed a lot of faith in the car's reliability, as we took it for a short run in his area. It performs faultlessly in the congested traffic of London, with the pillarless vision and airiness adding to the car's appeal.

Dealing with the usual road ruts and speed ramps, as well as the stop-start nature of the journey, the car simply doesn't complain. He has mentioned that it would benefit from a longer run, just to give the engine an opportunity to stretch its legs but he's sure that it's more than capable of dealing with higher speeds.

Electrics and Other

The car is electrically in good order, with a handful of issues that will need investigating. This includes a non-functioning rear demister element, a sluggish sunroof motor and the owner can't be 100% sure whether the headlamp wipers are functioning all the time.

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History and Paperwork

This car comes with an excellent servicing record and has been subject to plenty of pampering.

Originally ordered in Scotland, the car has seen a detailed regime of maintenance and repairs over the years, with around 100 invoices of work including attention to the body on several occasions. In 1991, the owner paid over £4,200 to a specialist for panels, windscreen, and rustproofing, followed by extra bodywork in 2004.

Other notable invoices, asides from the extensive servicing work carried out over the 40 or so years, include new glass seals, exhaust and engine component replacements.

The most recent bill was for nearly £1200, which included a wishbone replacement, braking work, and service. In 2010 2010 the owner at the time made a DVLA enquiry, to track down the previous owner's details, which are also included in the paperwork. The current owner hasn't needed to spend much on the car during his ownership. The car comes with an MOT to March 2023.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition.
Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
09-03-2022	MOT	94,920
21-01-2021	MOT	92,818
13-07-2019	MOT	92,317
05-04-2018	MOT	92,037
02-06-2017	Service	91,379
25-03-2016	MOT	90,474
08-04-2015	Service	89,774
16-04-2015	MOT	89,785
31-03-2014	MOT	89,475
2013	Service	89,085
17-04-2013	MOT	88,991
03-04-2012	MOT	88,684
2011	Service	88,311
15-04-2011	MOT	88,247
26-05-2010	MOT	87,529
10-08-2007	MOT	87,438
03-08-2006	MOT	87,315
01-08-2005	MOT	87,048
28-07-2004	MOT	86,501
24-07-2003	MOT	84,829
23-07-2002	MOT	84,313
12-07-2001	MOT	82,492
12-07-2001	Service	82,491
15-06-2000	MOT	81,617
04-05-1999	MOT	80,353
30-04-1998	Service	77,818
30-04-1998	MOT	77,818
09-04-1997	MOT	73,935
30-03-1996	Service	70,225
30-03-1996	MOT	70,225
14-01-1995	MOT	66,793
22-02-1993	Service	63,576
21-12-1993	MOT	63,570
23-10-1992	MOT	62,296
26-07-1991	Service	61,238
09-01-1989	Service	59,896
21-10-1987	Service	55,757
27-09-1986	Service	47,273
20-09-1985	Service	41,210
25-09-1984	Service	34,992
08-05-1984	Service	29,564
12-10-1983	Service	24,122
09-03-1983	Service	18,048
25-08-1982	Service	12,213
13-03-1982	Service	6,022