YouTuber Ed Bolian rescues an impounded and neglected Mercedes-Benz SL 500 for just $1,500 after its owner forgot it.
In an automotive twist that blurs the line between misfortune and misadventure, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 that had been lost to memory and neglect has found a surprising second life — thanks to YouTuber and car enthusiast Ed Bolian.
The convertible, once a $100,000 flagship of German engineering, had been impounded by authorities after its original owner reportedly forgot where he parked it. Labeled abandoned, the luxury roadster was sold off for a mere $1,500 after racking up an estimated $50,000 in unpaid storage fees. Now, the 22-year-old car has reemerged on YouTube, battered but not completely broken.
Bolian, who runs the popular VINWiki channel and is known for outrageous car tales, spotted the forgotten SL 500 on Facebook Marketplace and couldn’t resist the rescue mission. Despite having logged over 153,000 miles and suffering from extensive cosmetic and mechanical issues, the car miraculously still ran — though just barely.
“This thing is mechanically totaled,” Bolian quipped in his video, after coaxing the 5.0-liter V8 to life. The car is riddled with problems: a foggy headlight assembly, splintered bumpers, moldy carpets, shredded leather seats, and electrical gremlins that kept warning lights glowing like a Christmas tree.
But for Bolian, the appeal wasn’t just the low price — it was the story. “You haven’t truly lived until your ‘new’ car tries to kill you on the way home,” he joked. Even the discovery of a copy of the New Testament in the glovebox added an unexpected twist to the tale.
Whether the SL 500 will be restored, flipped, or featured in a future VINWiki escapade remains to be seen. But for now, it’s one more unforgettable chapter in the annals of automotive oddities — and perhaps a reminder to always write down where you parked.
