1981 Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC
Former MBOC Woodruff Trophy Winner

Registration No: JRX 439W
Chassis No: WDB1070222209912
MOT: April 2022

• 52,000 miles from new
• Extensive history file from the order form onwards
• Former Mercedes-Benz Owners' Club Woodruff Trophy Winner for best 107-Series Car (SL and SLC)

PLEASE NOTE: This lot was driven onto a transporter on Monday May 24th but we have not had it running at the museum. The engine turns over freely and a local mechanic believes that the fuel pump may have developed a fault. The vendor has offered a goodwill gesture of £500 towards identifying and remedying the issue and the car is being sold as seen.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC represented a departure from tradition for Mercedes-Benz. Previously, its large Coupe offerings had been based on the large S-Class saloon, as indeed they would continue to be from 1981 onwards. The SLC, which came between the W111 “Fintail” Coupe and the C126 Mercedes-Benz SEC, was the only large personal coupe from Mercedes to have been based upon its contemporary sports car. In this instance, that car was the R107 SL – the replacement for the much loved W113 Pagoda. To create the SLC, its wheelbase was elongated by fourteen inches, and a two-door hardtop body with clear links to the SL was designed. The model was relatively popular, with 62888 finding homes between 1972 and 1980.

The impressive history file which accompanies this multiple award-winning Mercedes-Benz 280 SLC even includes the Pre-Delivery Check Sheet and a carbon copy of its New Vehicle Order Form. The latter reveals that the four-seater was to be finished in Champagne Metallic with Brazil Brown velour upholstery and to feature an electric sunroof, central locking, air-conditioning, electric windows and alloy wheels. Supplied new by Rivervale Motors Ltd on 6th May 1981 at a cost of £20,000 (about the same as Porsche was charging for a 928 at the time), ‘JRX 439W’ was to remain with its first owner – Mrs Felicitas Shaw – for fifteen years. Thereafter, it belonged to Eric Catchpole and Dominic Smith before entering the current (fourth) ownership via dealer Robert Hughes in late November 2014. Reading through the accompanying original service book and numerous invoices indicates that the Mercedes-Benz has received maintenance at 1,161, 6,262, 10,571, 13,124, 14,197, 17,115, 19,483, 25,403, 26,824, 29,938, 33,985, 48,563, 49,176, 52,084 and 52,457 miles. Renowned marque specialist The SL SHOP was responsible for issuing the last two bills (totalling over £2,400 between them) as well as supplying a variety of replacement trim pieces over the past seven years. No stranger to concours competitions, the seller treated the 280 SLC to a sympathetic bodywork renovation during July 2015 which encompassed the fitting of new sills and repairs to the rear wings and all four inner wheel arches. He then went through the car bringing it up to his exacting standards. Awarded the Mercedes-Benz Owners’ Club’s Woodruff Trophy for the best 107-Series Car (SL and SLC) at their 2017 Annual Rally and the People’s Choice Trophy at the same meeting, ‘JRX 439W’ has since accumulated more ‘silverware’ at local shows.

Warranted to have covered less than 53,000 miles from new, this exceptional C107 is offered for sale with V5C registration document, history file and MOT certificate valid until April 2022.

PLEASE NOTE: This lot was driven onto a transporter on Monday May 24th but we have not had it running at the museum. The engine turns over freely and a local mechanic believes that the fuel pump may have developed a fault. The vendor has offered a goodwill gesture of £500 towards identifying and remedying the issue and the car is being sold as seen.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737