1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0
- Engine
- 5.0L all-aluminium V8, 40 kg lighter than iron variant, three-speed automatic
The Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0, chassis 836, is one of only seven factory-built examples carrying the 5.0 designation, constructed in September 1979 and developed by Dr Erich Waxenberger for the World Rally Championship. It carried Björn Waldegård to second place at the 1979 Bandama Rally — contributing to his World Rally Drivers' Championship title — before competing at the 1980 Safari Rally, the 1982 and 1983 Spa 24 Hours, and rounds of the European Touring Car Championship.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €800,000 – €1,000,000
- 1979-09-26 → 1982Factory deliveryMercedes-Benz Worksfull documentation
Factory works entry car, first registered in Stuttgart on 26 September 1979; used in international rallying and as a training vehicle in Argentina before sale.
- 1982 → 1984Private saleSerge Beankens (Serge Power)partial documentation
Belgian race team proprietor who modified the car for endurance racing, replacing the aluminium engine block with a steel unit; later reinstated the aluminium V-8 prior to selling.
- 1983 →Acquisition unknownMichel de Deynepartial documentation
De Deyne's team ran the car at the 1983 Spa 24 Hours and in select European Touring Car Championship rounds; precise tenure dates and disposal are not stated.
- 1984 → 1990Private saleDr Peter Lorenzpartial documentation
Koblenz-based owner who undertook a restoration and returned the car to its original 1979 Bandama Rally appearance.
- 1990 → 1990-02-01Acquisition unknownTwo private co-ownerspartial documentation
A pair of unnamed individuals who jointly held the car briefly before selling it on in February 1990.
- 1990-02-01 →Private saleCurrent private collector (consignor)partial documentation
Long-term private owner who acquired the car from the co-owners in February 1990 and is now offering it at auction.
Competition
- 1979World Rally Championship1979 Bandama Rally Côte d'IvoireDriver: Björn Waldegård2nd overall
Co-driven by Hans Thorszelius; part of a four-car factory entry that achieved a 1-2-3-4 team result; Waldegård's performance here secured his 1979 WRC Drivers' title by a single point over Mikkola.
- 1980World Rally Championship1980 Marlboro Safari RallyDriver: Vic Preston Jr3rd overall
Co-driven by John Lyall; car subsequently used for training purposes in Argentina later in the same year.
- 19821982 24 Hours of SpaDriver: Claude Bourgoignie9th overall, 8th in class
Co-driven by John Cooper and Alain Lierneux; ran under Serge Power's team with Alcatel and Tuborg sponsorship, carrying race number 22.
- 19831983 24 Hours of SpaDriver: Michel de DeyneDNF — rear axle failure
Co-driven by Marc Duez and Hervé Regout; ran as high as 4th before retiring in the 22nd hour under Cutty Sark sponsorship with race number 12.
- 1983European Touring Car Championship1983 European Touring Car Championship — Zolder12th overall
One of several ETCC rounds entered that season; Zolder specifically cited as a notable appearance.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1982Modification
Prior to Spa endurance racing, the original aluminium engine block was swapped for a steel unit deemed more durable, and a twin-filler 120-litre fuel tank was installed; the three-speed automatic transmission was retained.
Work carried out under Serge Power's team in preparation for the 1982 Spa 24 Hours.
- 1984Restoration
The aluminium V-8 engine was reinstated and the car was comprehensively restored to its original 1979 Bandama Rally appearance and livery.
Carried out by or under direction of Dr Peter Lorenz following his acquisition of the car.
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