When Mercedes-Benz Took an Automatic SLC to the World Rally Championship. And Won!

Mercedes-Benz made World Rally history with the SLC in a remarkable feat 40 years ago this week

When you think of late 1970s and early ‘80s world rally winners, what springs to mind? Screaming Ford Escort RS1800s and Fiat 131 Abarths, the sensational Lancia Stratos and then the beginning of the Audi quattro are likely candidates

But there were exceptions, and this has to be the most bizarre of the lot. Did you know that the Mercedes Benz SLC twice won the Ivory Coast World Championship Rally in 1979 and ’80? And that it was basically a production car with a standard automatic gearbox?

Mercedes had a World Rally Dream. But No Weapon

Back in 1978 and still under the self-imposed ban on circuit racing following the 1955 Le Mans disaster, Mercedes-Benz was looking to expand its rally efforts. It however faced a bit of a quandary as it did not have a nimble little sedan in its range. What it did have was the 450SLC — that quite expansive, heavy and expensive C107 SLC coupé — something more of a boulevard cruiser than a world rally weapon.

Merc execs scratched their heads and ultimately decided that whatever happened, a bit of rallying would not be bad a bad thing for the big V8 coupé’s image

The project was entrusted to Erich Waxenberger, who was tasked to turn the flagship 450SLC into a competitive rally machine. And if the tenet of rallying a 450SLC was not wacky enough, the rally cars were powered by the standard 227 hp single overhead cam M117 4.5-liter V8. And the standard production 722.0 three-speed slush-box automatic gearbox!

Many Smiled on Learning of the Project

Of course, the team added the likes of skid plates, extra lights, a roll cage and all the mandatory safety kit. Many smiled on hearing of the project, some sniggered. But before too long, the smiles would be on the other side of those faces.