Page 1 of 1 Type 350 SLC, presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1971, became the successor of the coupe models 280 SE and 280 SE 3.5. They had not been produced any more since June and August 1971 respectively. In February 1972, four months after the premiere, the series production of the newcomer - internally called C 107 - began. In contrast to its predecessors, the new coupe was not based on a limousine of the upper class, but rather was a sister model of the 350 SL, presented six months ago. Except for the hard roof of the SLC, both variants were identical up to the door rear edge. The differences showed themselves in the rear half of the car. The wheelbase, prolonged by 360 mm in comparison to the SL, allowed a larger interior and four full-sized seats.
The many construction details - used for the first time in the 350 SL for safety reasons - were now, as a matter of course, transferred without any restrictions to the coupe-variant. Thus the fuel tank of the 350 SLC was not located in the rear end any more, but above the rear axle. Inside a strongly padded dashboard, deformable or concealing switches and controls, as well as the new four-spoke security wheel with impact absorber and broad impact cushion provided for utmost crash protection.
Newly developed cowl panels at the A-pillars, serving as water-shield gutters, guarantee good visibility in rain and keep the side windows clean in bad weather. Further security details were the wide wraparound direction indicators, well visible also from the side, as well as the broad rear lamps. Thanks to their ribbed surface profile theyare very insusceptible to dirt. Page 1 of 1