I serendipitously stumbled upon this eight-car cache hidden away behind a commercial building after making a wrong turn, which ended up being oh-so-right. Whoever owns this collection clearly has very eclectic (if oddly specific) tastes, with an unusual pairing of R129 fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters with a group of mid-50s Chrysler products. Let’s dive in!
Let’s start with the SL roadsters first, before getting to the really good stuff. First up is this silver 1992 model. While the car is badged as an SL500, the VIN decodes as a 500SL. (this is right around the time Mercedes was changing their model naming conventions to putting the vehicle series before the displacement, rather than the reverse). According to Wikipedia, the R129 wouldn’t wear the SL500 name until 1993, so either the owner decided to rearrange the letters and numbers, or the trunk lid came from a later year donor.
Either way, it is packing the DOHC M119 5.0L 32V V8, packing an impressive (for 1992) 322 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. This was the top dog engine prior to 1992, finishing second to the new-for-1992 M120 6L V12 as the top dog Mercedes engine that year.
Next up is this tired black 1999 SL500 with a red hardtop roof. As far as I know, these models were never sold in two-tone color schemes, so the roof is either from a red donor car, or it has been repainted at some point. It is sporting AMG wheels, but the VIN did not decode as an AMG model, so perhaps they were swapped in at some point.
This one is a bit of a gap tooth, missing its grille. The R129 was probably the weakest of all the SL generations in the styling department, and minus the grille and three-point star, it is easy to see why – its looks are very 1990s generic. It actually looks more than a little bit like the tenth-generation Ford F-150 from this angle.
Also, the clear side marker assembly without an amber reflecter does not appear to be a DOT unit, so perhaps it is a European or aftermarket item.
As is often the case, photos do not do justice to how rough these cars are. This interior shot should give you a better idea as to the overall condition of all three these SL’s. Yikes!
Finally, we have a second black 1999 SL500. Perhaps the owner was going to try to make a single bitsa car out of both of them?
At least we know this one last turned a wheel somewhat recently, the temp tag having expired just last summer. Anyone here know what “plaza” means? I was hoping that I had hit paydirt on some obscure designer edition SL, but Google, unfortunately, says nein. Perhaps it is a dealership? In any case, I love the period correct 1990s style script, although why is it slumping down like that?
Now that we are done with the appetizer, on to the main course. We’ll just go from right to left, starting with this 1954 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe in what appears to be Glacier Blue. Despite its fancy-sounding name, the Windsor Deluxe was actually the base model Chrysler for 1954 – every 1954 Windsor had the “Deluxe” suffix appended to its name, just because I guess.
Given the lack of external V badging, this example likely sports Chrysler’s “Spitfire” L-head six. If so, then this would be one of the last Chryslers to be so equipped: This engine was only available in the Windsor Deluxe for 1954, and V8 power would be standard in all Chrysler brand cars starting in 1955.
The interior of this Chrysler was in surprisingly good shape – overall this was probably the best car of the collection. We can see that the original buyer sprung for the AM-Radio ($101) and PowerFlite Automatic ($189).
These wheel covers are so plain I though they had to be replacements, but no, looking at the brochure these are indeed the base wheel covers available in 1954.
Moving on down the line, next is this 1955 Dodge Royal Lancer 2-door hardtop. The Royal occupied the middle of the Dodge lineup for 1955, anchored by the Coronet at the bottom and the Custom Royal at the top.
I was wondering how these relatively rust-free examples managed to survive in Ohio, deep in the heart of the rust belt, and there’s your answer: It is an expat from Arizona, with license plates indicating it was last registered in 1994.
The rapidly aging flathead six was available only in the Coronet for 1955. The Royal and Custom Royal came standard with 270 CID Red-Ram V8, available in both 2- and 4-bbl. configuration.
This relatively nicely preserved example deserves better than to be left sitting to rot in a parking lot, overgrown by grass.
Rounding out the Mopar fleet is this 1956 Desoto Firedome. For a brand well-known for its styling excesses, the 1956 models are surprisingly restrained – one of the few years DeSoto used a mesh grille instead of a toothy one.
If you are thinking that this kind of lichen is more Pacific Northwest than Midwest, you are correct. Like the rest of the fleet, this car is way too rust-free to be an Ohio native. It likely came from Oregon or Washington judging by the patina distinctive to the region that it is sporting.
V8 power was the only power on offer in 1956 Desotos, so I’m not sure why they felt the need for all the badges. In any case, I’ve never seen a V8 badge on the fuel filler door before. Perhaps it is intended to be a reminder (or more cynically an apology) as to why you are only getting 14 miles per gallon?
Finally, let’s take a look at this poverty-spec 1955 Dodge Coronet. Other than two-tone paint (which may not even be original), it is sporting few, if any options.
No radio, and not even a heater, so it clearly was a Southern or a Western car. It was sporting Washington plates, which certainly is not the snow belt, but surely it still gets cold there?
With four flat and badly dry-rotted tires, this car clearly hasn’t moved under its own power in many decades. (Edit: actually, it has as recently as 2021. See comment section below). At least they are blackwalls, which is surely how this car came originally equipped.
Again, more of that distinctive Pacific Northwest style weathering.
I’m hoping that someday this car will get back on the road, but I have my doubts. Outside of the readership of this site, base-model four-door sedans from the ’50s don’t have much collector interest.
So one last parting shot before we say goodbye to this very unusual collection.
Which would I choose? For starters, I’m a hard pass on the Benzes. I’ve wrenched enough older German cars to know that even well-maintained examples can be finicky, with parts expensive and hard to find. These ones all appear to be very neglected, and I wouldn’t touch any of them with a 10-foot (meter?) wrench.
All of the Chrysler products are eminently restorable, and more importantly, they all seem to be remarkably complete: All the glass, lamps, trim pieces, and even wheel covers seem to be present and intact on all of them. For me, I’d take the 1954 Windsor Deluxe. Its styling might be dowdy and plain, but it oozes charm of a simpler time.
Wow, quite a collection and unfortunate storage location. I’m with you on the Benz’z, having seen enough episodes of Hoovies Garage to steer clear.
On the Mopar side, I’m rooting for the 1955 Coronet, despite it not being the highest spec or best condition. If you can fit it in an envelope PM me and I’ll give you the address to send it 🙂
I hope the current owner or subsequent owners get these beauties back on the road.
A DaimlerChrysler fan.. my guess is, that it’s Bob Eaton’s personal stash.
“A DaimlerChrysler fan..”
I was not aware this was a thing. 🙂
I’d grab the ’55 Royal Lancer. For a car not registered in almost 30 years, it has been pretty well cared for.
My speculation is that all the Mopars came in a batch from Washington, with the 55 Dodge 2-door at least coming to WA from Arizona and possibly the 56 DeSoto as well. The 2-door is in nice enough condition I would guess it was garaged in AZ then spent some time outdoors in WA. Not much sun damage but the rear deck has quite a bit of rust bubbling along the edge. That surely didn’t happen in the desert. The DeSoto, on the other hand, has that characteristic sun-blasted patina one sees in the southwest, along with the presumably more recent lichen coating.
Or he might have gotten the cars from all over individually, who knows. The important thing is that they are only going to get worse where they are. The Royal Lancer hardtop has some real value and could potentially be a pretty easy restoration or refurb, depending on if one wanted a show car or just a nice driver. The 54 Windsor, being a 4 door sedan, would have less universal appeal but is nice enough it could find the right loving home. The other two sedans may, sadly, be more likely future parts cars.
Personally, the DeSoto is my favorite. I have always like the 55-56 DeSotos and Chryslers. Real 50s flair without the excesses of the later models.
Scotty’s DeSoto was gorgeous and had that V8 on the fuel filler door
The 56 DeSoto and 55 Dodge top my list. NO use for any Mercedes. In 56, Dodge made a one year special intended for the ladies called LaFemme. A tri tone based on a concept car .These must be extremely rare and expensive.
I like all of the Chrysler products, but my personal favorite is the 1956 Desoto. 1956 was the last year for Chryslers really being Chryslers in the traditional sense, and their powertrains were developing at a rate that would be impressive for a Formula One team during the ’50s, so the last year of Chrysler quality combined with the most powerful engine holds much appeal for me.
The ’55 Coronet is a fine example of the destructive nature of “Dad Farts” to an upholstered bench seat. On another note, what American 50s cars didn’t have at least one “V” shaped chevron attached somewhere in the exterior of the car? It seems like they all did.
LOL! Now I have a mind picture of explosive farts blowing a small hole in the upholstery every time. Didn’t need that:(
Oh dear, I didn’t need that image!
Ok, so super small world… That blue ’55 Dodge runs. I know for a fact, because i have personally driven it. It spent the better part of the last decade parked next to a mechanic shop in Spencer, OH. The mechanic that worked in the shop retired the summer i moved in next door, and this was his last project. I spent most evenings in July 2021 helping him get it running again and getting the brakes fixed. It had originally been sidelined by a worn main bearing. We got it running, driving and stopping, and i actually got to drive it up and down the road. The tires where badly flat spotted, and the lights were so dim we could barely see. But it ran! And ran quite well. Last I knew, it had been sent back to the owner, whom I had heard had quite a collection. I always wondered what had happened to it.
Wow, thanks for the context. This makes the current state of affairs that much more sad.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the owner has done much of anything with the car other than to let it sit and rot in the elements.
You’re welcome. Now that i’ve put a little thought to it, I seem to recall hearing that the gentleman may have passed away. That may indicate that the cars are tied up in probate, or some other such legal trouble.
The Plaza logo on the Mercedes is the old dealer logo of Plaza Motors in St. Louis.
New https://www.plazamotors.com/
Old https://www.linkedin.com/company/plaza-motors
Shame to see them just rotting away
I hate seeing this stuff but at least they have not past the point of no return or even close yet. I’d jump on the Royal Lancer (that color combo!) in the blink of an eye followed by the DeSoto.
My picks would be the ’55 Royal Lancer followed by the ’54 Chrysler.
In a variation of the CC effect, there is an elderly man who apparently lives alone about 5 miles from me with an interesting old car collection. From left to right in the photo, we see a 1955 Dodge 2-door hardtop, 1955 Oldsmobile 88 4-door hardtop, and 1955 Buick Century 2-door hardtop. Behind the Olds is a 1955 or 56 Pontiac Safari wagon (equivalent of a Chevy Nomad), and behind the Buick is a black 1940s sedan.
That turn signal is a hosey aftermarket item; the Europe/rest-of-world R129s got one of three types: all-clear or all-amber units without a side reflector, or a clear-with-amber-side-reflector unit, similar to one kind of the US type (the other being all-amber with reflector). All had lens optics, not this silly crystal-clear trinketry.
Beyond that, I’m with you: hard and final pass on the Mercedeses.
As to the Mopars: the ’54 Chrysler and ’56 DeSoto are tied for first, in my book.
Sad to see these fine MoPars left out in the sun .
-Nate
The two tone and the side trim of the Royal Lancer really changes the looks of the car from the base Coronet. They really were modifying the older car to make them competitive.