I think I'm in love. 450SL content.

[mikegilbert]

Found this over on fatlace. A 450SL powered by a Nissan L20 <3

[TwoLitreVW]

gtfo.

that. thing. is. awesome.

[De Stijl]

DAMNIT. I HAVE to say something about that DAMN TOP. THAT DAMN, DAMN, DAMNDAMN SOFTTOP.

Otherwise, everything went better than expected

[nopal 6.0]

[JMTombstone]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't like the look of those wheels on that car.

[The Kilted Yaksman]

Nice looking, and by all appearances a well engineered swap, but I would rather have it with a Benz V8.

[LaFerrari]

The way I look at it, as long as it's fast who cares that it's ugly...

[480]

This thread is useless without video of that thing going full bore sliding sideways up a swervy mountain road with the driver wearing a plaid scarf, houndstooth fedora, pipe in mouth, Manhattan* in hand, and a big grin on face.

The wheels look so out of place but I like them anyway, i spy a colormatched Monoblock in the background, maybe these are just for photos or "track" use?



*Don't drink and drive kids!

[Ernie McCracken]

Cross post from gaycarfans?

[The Kilted Yaksman]

Cross post from gaycarfans?

Project much?
Exactly what about that car says "gay"?

[Noisyninja]

Project much?
Exactly what about that car says "gay"?

I guess because he saw OP found it on fatlace, which is associated with hellaflush, so he has to hate it.

[LA7VJetta]

JIMP.

[SVT2888]

The WIN is epic with this one!

[Ernie McCracken]

Project much?
Exactly what about that car says "gay"?

The fact that you like it so much certainly says something

[rubrduk]

[mellbergVWfan]

Nice looking, and by all appearances a well engineered swap, but I would rather have it with a Benz V8.

I'm going to have to agree with this. It looks surpisingly good on the Watanabe's but think I'd rather have it like this.



/Thread jack

[mikegilbert]

^ Oooo, that's tasty!

I'd much rather have the hard top / some random AMG motor stuffed in there, but that meaty stance just does it for me.

[JettaGT8V80]

if you dont see the awesomeness in that you just plain dont like cars

[vwlarry]

Was the car originally an 8 cylinder SL, or was it a 6 cylinder 280SL, not available in NA?

[jamerican1]

This.

[LaFerrari]

Such an awkward silhouette...

[vwlarry]

Such an awkward silhouette...

In the late seventies/early eighties, when I worked for a Mercedes Benz dealership in Chicago Heights, the rare arrival of a new SLC was an occasion for employees to offer their thoughts on these odd-duckmobiles. I felt that they were nothing but the indulgence of an arrogant German carmaker even back then, with few redeeming qualities other than the superlative build-quality, which was perhaps the highest of any cars in the already stunningly high-quality Mercedes Benz lineup of that time. It seemed like the SLCs got a little bit more attention, a little bit more craftsmanship and finesse than even their SL sisters. It always seemed such a shame that almost every new SLC seemed to be purchased by "Driving Miss Daisy" types who only drove them to their canasta games and bingo nights out.

[Son]

Such an awkward silhouette...

I like it more than the too short looking SL.

[vwlarry]

I like it more than the too short looking SL.

Certain elements of the SLC's design are v. nice. The wrapped and shapely rear window is beautiful, IMO, and the unique trunklid/rear deck of these cars is attractive. The "glass block" quarter-window insert, though, with its "venetian blinds" embedded inside just never looked integrated, and more of an afterthought, which spoiled the overall effect of the stretched roofline. Did you know that that little glass insert was priced by MBNA, in the late seventies, at a warranty cost of $800 each?? Our shop replaced a couple that had breached seals, which allowed them to fog-up inside. $800 was a LOT of money in 1979.

[3ondatree]

if you dont see the awesomeness in that you just plain dont like cars

I do like cars, but for different reasons than tire burning HP and looks. I've always been impressed with this car's bank vault feel and refinement though. It's a looker too, especially with the European bumpers on it. Otherwise, it's not for me.

[konigwheels]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't like the look of those wheels on that car.

Weird. For me, those Panasports are the only wheels I've seen that make that style Benz (one of the ugliest ever) look good. Sporting even.

Also, wouldn't a Datsun L series be worse that the V8 already offered in these? Last time I checked those Ls weren't exactly the first candidate for power.

[vwlarry]

I'll ask again; is the SL in the OP one that was originally a 107 chassis with the twin-cam six, ala 280SL? That way, the front-end would have been more suited to the Nissan engine, with spring rates, etc that would be appropriate for the smaller, lighter powerplant.

[teileguy]

i wouldnt be surprised if it was an original 6 cylinder euro car. it was the only one you could purchase with a manual trans.

I was a baby when the SLC came out, i found their looks to be rather interesting, but their star dimmed considerably when mercedes came out with the S class derived coupe. Just a far better integrated design.

[Type44]

Love it. So much win. BTW, they used the Datsun steering wheel too.

Now the L20 is probably a little short on torque for that monster R107 tank... but the sound! And the underhood accessibility! (I'm completing an engine replacement on a 380SL right now, I know what I'm talking about!

Heck, if our 380SL has a similar need for an engine, I may look further at this. It's said that a serious machinist/fabricator can make the DOHC head from a Benz M110 fit an L-series. If that's so... the spacing of parts between the 280SL and 280Z motors might make it almost a bolt in. Then again, maybe not, but it's an interesting idea!

[280CEEEEE]

There is an alternative: W123 280CE! The profile looks amazing in real life. Sure, no V8 here (most you could get for a gas engine was a 2.8L I-6, but boy was it smooth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SiknqxUWjU )

Besides, none of these V8 Mercs would be fast by today's standards, but they make great cruisers.





Did I mention that all four windows go down?

[J-Tim]

Such an awkward silhouette...

Yeah, which makes it a lot more affordable than an SL.

Still like SLC quite a lot

[Subwoofers]

Are those Konigs?

[Noisyninja]

It always seemed such a shame that almost every new SLC seemed to be purchased by "Driving Miss Daisy" types who only drove them to their canasta games and bingo nights out.

I actually saw an SLC in my neighborhood the other day being driven by a 70-something woman with Florida plates.

[J-Tim]

In the late seventies/early eighties, when I worked for a Mercedes Benz dealership in Chicago Heights, the rare arrival of a new SLC was an occasion for employees to offer their thoughts on these odd-duckmobiles. I felt that they were nothing but the indulgence of an arrogant German carmaker even back then, with few redeeming qualities other than the superlative build-quality, which was perhaps the highest of any cars in the already stunningly high-quality Mercedes Benz lineup of that time. It seemed like the SLCs got a little bit more attention, a little bit more craftsmanship and finesse than even their SL sisters. It always seemed such a shame that almost every new SLC seemed to be purchased by "Driving Miss Daisy" types who only drove them to their canasta games and bingo nights out.

Too bad that my mind is still stuck on "Dallas" every time I see a W116 or W107.

[patrikman]

wheel and tire specs?