Mercedes C107 SLC springs from the shadows

Maybe the sun is finally shining on the ’71 to ‘81 C107 Merc SLC. Left languishing in the gloom for decades by the more fashionable R107 SL, low-mileage examples of the tin-top coupé are now rising significantly. Perhaps the Dutch seller with a 35,000km 450 SLC is being a little optimistic at £70k but canny dealers like Howard Wise clearly see the growing potential too. He’s pitching a mint 18k-mile 450 at £50k. Rarer than the SL (the DVLA lists only 257 examples on the road) and often in much better nick, the SLC is starting to radiate a chic Seventies glow with trendy velour interiors and colours like Icon Gold and Thistle Green.

While the lines aren’t as well proportioned as the convertible, those 14 extra inches of wheelbase make it a full four-seater and it actually drives better than the SL, plus the V8s are good for 120mph. In July Silverstone Auctions dispatched a lovely 17k mile 380 SLC for £17,780, which may be the last of the really cheap low-milers. Edward Hall in Buckinghamshire has a ’78 380 in Icon Gold with 79k, long history and £7k of recent bills for £25,950 while a private man in Solihull has a ’77 450 in Astral Silver with blue hide, three owners, FMBSH and 78k for only £17,250. These wide price variations between private and trade sellers won’t continue for long – and to show how prices have moved recently, back in 2014 Silverstone knocked down an ’81 380 SLC with just 20k and broad history for a bargain £9450.