I frequent a local gas station because the small garage attached to it occasionally has some interesting jalopies in its driveway. I’ve seen a pristine Toyota Paseo and a ratty old Suzuki Esteem in the driveway, but while filling up recently, a pair of much nicer cars there caught my eye. The third-generation Pontiac Firebird Formula was in great shape, but the curvy Mercedes merited further inspection. 

Pardon the cell phone picture quality, but this handsome 1950s Mercedes W120 was in original, unrestored condition. Whatever else could be said about it, the old girl looked stately and dignified, even bathed in the harsh gas station lights.

The hood ornament had seen better days. 

And the rust-pitted bumper needed some TLC, but the clean curves can be described in no way other than “elegant.” 

This was a 180D, meaning that a tiny diesel gave its go. The 1.7-liter OM636 motor produced horsepower in the low double digits so its owner was getting nowhere fast.

But when you own a car that looks like this, you never need to hurry. This is a car to be seen in. It defines “fashionably late.” 

 

 [Photos copyright Hooniverse 2014/Eric Rood]