As you walk through Palm Beach’s famous and opulent Worth Avenue shopping district, you will notice a few themes; the first of which is luxury. This famous boulevard is home to some of the finest brands and boutiques in the world. If luxury window shopping does not strike your fancy, perhaps you may appreciate the high-end style that graces the streets. The fashion, the architecture, the cars, and the list goes on.
Another theme common to Palm Beach is quality. Buy the best – and then keep it forever. Surely residents took that into consideration when shopping for automobiles as well. All these themes are surely applicable to the many fine Mercedes-Benz automobiles that have wafted along this wealthy city’s streets over the decades.
In this rarefied world, it’s not unlikely that you might walk down Worth Avenue and come face-to-face with a 1955 Mer-cedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. But notice that car parked alongside the 300SL – its younger brother, a 1963 190SL. Plus, these exemplary mid-century machines are both finished in matching DB50 white over classic red leather.
It is not just coincidence that allowed these two stunning models to complement each other; but rather a twist of fate that brought them together. Both cars are owned by Dr. Chuck Niles, a surgeon who splits his time between upstate New York and the Palm Beach area, and both were meticulously restored and maintained by Palm Beach Classics. Also, both have been presented at the Palm Beach Concours d’Elegance. Having both cars side-by-side with the same color and same interi-or really makes a huge impression
Model history
Now regarded as the world’s first supercar, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is widely considered to be the epitome of classic Mercedes stewardship. Originally created for racing in 1952, the 300SL was designed to put Mercedes-Benz back on the road to market dominance. Its engineering represents clear competitive goals and strategies: to build a race car to be as light as possible, while generating as much power as possible, using components derived from the then current Mer-cedes-Benz 300-series.
Shortly after the 300SL began racing, legendary entrepreneur Max Hoffman proposed to Mercedes-Benz that the com-pany engineer a road version of the 300SL for American customers and then build an aesthetically similar roadster for a lesser price.
After deliberation, the firm agreed to build a road-going version of the 300SL – so long as the development team could further refine the vehicle. The second, more affordable new car suggested by Hoffman became the 190SL. The philosophy for the 190SL was straightforward: Build a small but competent roadster on the existing W120 platform. The car would have no frills and no over-engineering.
Upon their debut, the 300SL and 190SL made a huge impression at the 1954 New York City International Motor Sports Show. The engineering symphony that defined the 300SL was available for the very steep price of $6,800, while the catchy tune played by the 190SL was available for $4,000. By comparison, Chevrolet's Corvette could be purchased for $2,774 at the time.
It seems as if the 300SL and the 190SL were destined to stick together, because they were both launched at the same time.
A love for Mercedes quality
"What started me off,” recalls Dr. Niles, “was once when my father took me for a walk, because he knew where a 280SL was parked. He told me it was one of the most beautiful cars ever made. I fell in love with them on that day.”
Though he loves the 280SL, the 190SL was Dr. Niles’s first Mercedes acquisition. It had been located by Palm Beach Classics several years ago and carries a very sentimental story. The previous long-term owner of the car had drafted a letter before allowing the car to change hands. In this letter, he had described his love for the 190SL when the cars were new in the early 1960s. He had always dreamed of owning one, but was unable to afford it. Coincidentally, his neighbor owned a 190SL. Because he was so passionate about the car, he offered to wash and care for it. In his eyes, being able to interact and touch the car was a satisfactory situation until he was able to afford one of his own.
The original owner of the 190SL understood what his enthusiasm was about. To everyone’s surprise, the first owner gift-ed him the car, knowing that he would take excellent care of it. Decades later, the car made its way to Dr. Niles by way of Palm Beach Classics. Acquiring it from the second owner, the company restored the 190SL, giving it all the care and attention necessary to bring it back to its former glory. Since its restoration, the 190SL has been shown at the Palm Beach Concours, Cavallino Classic, and MBCA events. When Dr. Nile saw it at these shows, he determined to own it and it was the first of his three Mercedes-Benz acquisitions.
Why not have both?
The 300SL had been owned by another enthusiast until recently, when Dr. Niles had the opportunity to acquire it. The Gullwing, originally a European delivery car, was not fitted with the bumper guards typical of 300SLs sold stateside. The in-strumentation is all metric as well.
The car was restored several years ago and shown at local Mercedes Benz Club of America Concours d’Elegance shows.
“The previous owner had restored it, using all the correct parts from the Mercedes Benz Classic Center, of course," re-lates Sidney Vallon, owner of Palm Beach Classics. "He had provided the restoration shop with everything needed in order to make this car correct. So, he spent quite a bit of money, as you can imagine. It's not cheap to restore a 300SL and he did a good job overall.”
Naturally, the car received several awards for its condition and quality of restoration. After those victories, the 300SL was displayed at a local museum before finding its way to Palm Beach Classics.
For many years, Dr. Niles thought that owning his 190SL was as close as he would get to his dream car. He was not neces-sarily shopping for a 300SL, but it had been on his bucket list since childhood. He knew he wanted to own one of these cars at some point in his life, and the moment arrived early in 2021 when he saw the car at Palm Beach Classics. It seemed a match made in heaven.
“When we had the car here, we were very pleased and proud to display it,” says Vallon. “When Dr. Niles saw that this 300SL matched his 190SL, it seemed fate was directing him to acquire the Gullwing.”
"When I saw it, I fell in love with it," Dr. Niles says, "I had the 190SL because that's all I thought I would ever have. I always dreamed of having a Gullwing, but I never thought one would come my way. But then this 300SL found me! It was really for-tuitous that the car came along and paired with my 190SL so beautifully."
Stewardship as a calling
Now that he owns the 300SL, his appreciation of the Gullwings has only increased. "I have a pure passion and love for those cars," he insists. "It's the feel and the look and the driving experience, and for the era. I'm the guy who always dreamed of having a Gullwing."
The four-speed manual transmissions in the 190SL and 300SL are a comparatively new experience for Niles; he is more accustomed to the automatic transmissions seen in later cars. In fact, owning the 190SL was his first experience with a man-ual transmission. He believes that the cars have made him a better driver.
In addition to the matched set SL duo, Dr. Niles has acquired a white 1971 280SL Pagoda acquired more recently in memory of that first Mercedes his father had shown him. The multi-generational collection of SL models provides Niles with a unique perspective of each vehicle. As a trained surgeon, he appreciates the precision of all three automobiles.
“The build quality of those cars is amazing,” he explains. “The way the Gullwing door shuts is still perfect. It was built in 1955 and it shuts like a safe."
Undoubtedly each of the three cars provides a satisfying driving experience, but Niles states that each has its own dis-tinguishing personality that sets it apart. For instance, he prefers the W113 280SL Pagoda for grand touring and longer trips, whereas the 190SL serves more as a fun and nimble roadster to cruise around in locally. That said, Niles has no intention of keeping the Gullwing as a garage queen.
"I'm not driving it to work every day, but I don't only take it to shows," he insists. "You might see me driving in the neigh-borhood. I might go for an ice cream or any of the things you do in a special car."
In addition to enjoying his car at home in upstate New York and in Palm Beach, Niles hopes to enter the vehicle in several Concours d’Elegance and MBCA events. He believes that in order to fully understand and connect with his cars, he first needs to experience them. Once that bridge has been crossed, he follows a path of research and learning about each vehi-cle. He finds satisfaction in discovering how his cars were built, how they are supposed to run, and being able to appreciate the engineering, model history, and the individual stories of his cars.
"Sometimes I still can't believe the Gullwing is mine," Chuck Niles laughs. "I think someone's going to tap me on the shoulder and say it's time to give the car back."
