Rare Mercedes belongs to local man
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POLSON — The Mobil gas pump read 38 cents per gallon, and a gleaming burgundy 1952 Mercedes Benz Cabriole was pulled up to refuel.
The gas pump, the vintage lights flanking it and the car all belonged to Ron Olsen. Olsen was exhibiting his car at Cruisen By the Bay Car Show held on Aug. 8, 9 and 10. At a car show, Olsen explained, you need something to draw attention so he had the gas pump, which has been sitting in his garage for 30 years, and a 1950s pedal car.
“(The Mercedes) is a '50s car,” Olsen said, “so it’s a '50s gas pump.”
The convertible had a tan top and rich burgundy paint — really rich since the stuff costs $1,500 a gallon according to Olsen.
Only 10 of the cars were hand-built from 1949 to 1952, and Olsen had not finished restoring the Mercedes. He does his own engine and body paintwork, but the ragtop was made by Loose Ends in Kalispell.
Olsen and his wife have a place in Polson, but “the toy shop is in Kalispell,” Olsen said.
Olsen said he probably owns 20 cars.
“Nobody has more of a love affair for cars,” Olsen explained.
When the Cabriole is finished, Olsen and his wife plan to drive it around and show it for a year, particularly at Goodguys Car Shows in California, Spokane, Wash., and Denver, Colo.
