I have not done a Rotting in Style article in years, so let’s go all the way back to a video I filmed back in 2015 of this 1953 Mercury Monterey in the Retro Collection.
2015 does not seem like that long ago, but wow... 9 years. Personally, so much has changed for me since then, and one thing would be the camera I use. Wow.
Anyway... What sadly ended it’s life as a minivan in 2007, the Monterey was first born in 1952, but the station wagon was first introduced in 1953, and based off the serial number of the car, yes serial number, not VIN, this is a 1953. So, this is the first year for these! For this one, specifically October 28, 1953 with a birth place of LA in California.
Unfortunately, the age shows. This car is rough. I don’t know when it was on the road last, but California only had the license plate featured on this car from 1963 to 1969, so I would assume either during that period, or not too long after. Assuming it was off the road in 1969, it had only been driven for 16 years, and to put things in perspective, my 2005 Mustang is 19 years old, and still my daily.
However, during her time on the road, she saw at least 96,271 miles. With a five digit odometer, there is a chance it could be a rollover, but that would be a pretty high number for an old car. Based on the rust holes, it could be. Who knows...
Those miles were accomplished with what a quick Google search told me is a 255 cubic inch Flathead V8 and a three speed automatic transmission. Being from the 50s the interior had the classic diner look with the red and white seats, and the appropriate lever controls from the emerging jet age.
Apparently this has the optional woodie appearance, but I can’t find any images of 53s without it, so there’s that. Regardless, unlike the disturbing PT Cruiser Woody-wannabe-things, this car has REAL wood. Even though what’s left is very rotted. However, so is the paint, metal, chrome, and everything else except the headliner strangely.
I don’t know what happened to this car. Google Earth shows the car was still sitting in the same spot up to the start of 2021, but then a new business opened at the end of that same year, and all the cars left were gone. I doubt it will ever be back on the road again, wherever she is. Wherever she is now, she’s probably sitting, Rotting in Style.
Again, it has been a long time since I have done a Rotting in Style article or video, and honestly, I don’t know when I will do one again, but if you do want to find out when, might I suggest checking our my social below!