This 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SLC is one of fewer than 4,000 built during the model’s 16-month production run. The car was registered in New Mexico before it was acquired by its previous owner in 2017, after which it was refurbished and modified as part of the Clarion Builds program. The work included a repaint in Mystic Brown Metallic, adding MAcarbon bumpers and 16″ Bundt-style wheels, reupholstering its interior with Palomino leather, overhauling its 3.8-liter M116 V8, replacing its four-speed automatic transmission, and refreshing its driveline, steering, suspension, brakes, and climate control. The vehicle was acquired by its current owner on BaT in July 2023, and a $7k service in 2025 by Mercedes Doctor of Mountain View, California, included work on the engine, fuel system, and steering. This 380SLC is now offered on dealer consignment in California with an owner’s manual, service records, and a clean Oregon title.
The SLC features a wheelbase approximately 14″ longer than the convertible SL, affording room for rear seats. In 2018, this one was stripped to bare metal and refinished in Mystic Brown Metallic by Bells & Vaughn Collision Center of Pasadena, California. It features a sunroof, fog lights, Euro-spec headlights, and MAcarbon Euro-spec bumpers.
The MAcarbon three-piece 16×7″ Bundt-style wheels are mounted with 225/50 Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 3+ tires. Five-millimeter hub spacers were added up front in 2025, at which time the steering gearbox was resealed, the steering coupler was replaced, and an alignment was completed. Suspension, brake, and steering components replaced in 2017 are itemized in the car’s previous BaT listing.
The interior was refurbished in 2018 by Westminster Auto Upholstery of Anaheim, California. It features designo-badged Palomino leather, an Alcantara headliner, black carpeting, power windows and locks, and a Becker cassette stereo. Wood inlays in the cabin were refinished during the project by Madera Concepts of Goleta, California.
The six-digit odometer shows 59k miles, ~6k of which were added under current ownership. The selling dealer notes that the cruise control surges, the cigarette lighter does not work, the rear window defroster button does not illuminate, the right door lock functions intermittently with the driver’s switch, and the climate control does not automatically cycle through all temperatures.
The 3.8-liter M116 V8 was serviced by Coast Motor Werks of Huntington Beach, California, in 2017, with work including a dual-row timing chain conversion, resurfacing the cylinder heads, and replacing the head gaskets, valve seals, fuel injectors, engine mounts, water pump, thermostat, radiator, alternator, starter, distributor cap and rotor, belts, and exhaust system. In 2025, fuel hoses at the fuel pump were replaced, a front oil leak was repaired, and a breather hose was replaced along with the engine oil.
The four-speed automatic transmission was replaced during the project, which also included rebuilding the driveshaft and resealing the rear differential. Exhaust hangers were replaced in 2025, as well.
Additional photos and video from the refurbishment project are shared in the gallery below.
The Carfax report is free of accidents or other reported damage. The vehicle was designated a gross polluter by the state of California in September 2021, and it most recently passed California emissions testing in January 2022.
Source: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SLC
