450 SLC Tarmac Rally Tribute
1977 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC
Build In Progress
Sale Details
Stock Number: 2026017
VIN: 10702412015777
Miles: M113 Engine 88,000 miles
Exterior/Interior Color: Brown / Tan
Transmission: BMW ZF 6-Speed Manual (Swap)
Title Status: Clean Texas Titl
Paint Condition: Original – Solid with patina, build will be refinished
CarFax: N/A – Build Project (Not for Sale)
Brand/Model Summary
The Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC is the long-wheelbase coupe sibling of the iconic R107 SL roadster, produced from 1972 to 1980. Built on a stretched platform that added 14 inches of wheelbase over the SL, the 450 SLC was conceived as a grand touring coupe — refined, rapid, and genuinely practical for four occupants. The W107 platform represented Mercedes at the height of its engineering confidence: robust unibody construction, sophisticated double-wishbone front suspension, and a semi-trailing arm rear. The 450 SLC famously competed in long-distance rallying in the late 1970s, including the Ivory Coast and South American rally events, where factory-backed teams proved the car’s underlying toughness at speed on rough terrain. That motorsport DNA is exactly what we’re tapping into with this build.
Vehicle Summary
This 1977 450 SLC is the foundation for our most ambitious tarmac rally tribute build to date. The car came to us as a solid, straight-bodied example with good bones — exactly the right platform for a sympathetic but serious performance transformation. The headline swap is a Mercedes-Benz M113 5.0-liter V8, the all-alloy naturally aspirated unit that produces around 302 hp in factory tune and is renowned for its reliability, smooth power delivery, and direct bloodline connection to the AMG-derived architecture. Paired to it is a BMW ZF 6-speed manual gearbox, giving the car a driver-focused, tactile gear change that no automatic could replicate. The build philosophy is inspired by the factory 450 SLC 5.0 rally cars that competed in the Bandama Rally and the Rally Codasur — understated on the outside, serious underneath. The goal is a car that looks right at home on a mountain stage: composed, capable, and impossible to ignore.
Ownership History
Acquired by RISO Motorworks as a build project in 2026. Previous ownership history is being researched. The car presents as a largely unmolested example that spent much of its life in a dry climate, consistent with the solid body condition. Full history documentation will be updated as the build progresses.
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Disclaimers
Vehicle Sale Disclaimer:
This vehicle is sold “as-is” with no warranty, written or implied. In some cases, the vehicle does have the remaining factory warranty still in place and will be described above if that is the case. All taxes and fees are the responsibility of the buyer and are not included in the listed price. The vehicle listed is described to the best of our ability. The information is based on our own research and statements made to us by the previous owner(s) and/or any work we had completed. To the best of our knowledge, the above information is accurate. We are not responsible for errors in our description of options or any other details. The above-mentioned vehicle is used and can be expected to show some wear and tear. It is not a brand-new vehicle. We do welcome all local pre-purchase inspections on vehicles to verify their condition. For payment, we accept bank transfers, cashier’s checks, or cash. Checks take up to 10 business days to clear. The vehicle and title will be held until all funds are cleared and verified. Bank transfers usually only take 24 hours.
VIN Disclaimer:
**Note: VIN and other numbers withheld to protect against fraud. All numbers including VIN, Engine, and color will be provided to serious buyers.
Out-of-State Buyer Disclaimer:
**Note: For out-of-state buyers, each State typically has a grace period to allow buyers to drive their new out-of-state acquisition to their local DMV for registration. Please check your State’s DMV website for more details. Texas requires us to surrender standard plates less than 30 years old back to the state and will not be delivered with the vehicle. Personalized plates stay with the seller.
