Poll: Which '54? (3/2/2026)

Tough choice but DeSoto. The Oldsmobile looks disjointed. Both terrific though.

I vote Oldsmobile for its more contemporary look with its slab sides and panoramic windshield.  Although I'm not font of its frowny frog face, I can see the progression from the 1953.  It wasn't until 1955 that the Oldsmobile was a truly handsome automobile.

WOW!  For me kids, this one is tougher than I thought it would be. 

Interesting the comment from Ed who says, "the Olds looks disjointed".  I've never heard the word "disjointed" before and frankly not sure what he's seeing. 

Then Pete says, "the Olds has a frowny frog face".  That's a description I've never heard the Olds grill described as. 

Me?  I like both of these cars for '54. 

I like the DeSoto because it certainly, at least to my eyes, is much more advanced than its sister cars within Chrysler Corp this year.  Both their Plymouth and Dodge are stubby and old looking and the flagship Chrysler looks big and boxy.  While the DeSoto seems to have found a way to be more modern looking than the other three.  And "toothy" grill gives it fearsome look if it's in your rearview mirror.  

However, moving over to GM's Oldsmobile, it along with both Buick and Cadillac seem to have advanced a couple of years worth from their '53 versions.  Chevy and Pontiac were still struggling with a lot of their early '50's old car styling.  Frumpy fenders (on both) and "suspenders" (on the Pontiac)

So the Oldsmobile for GM, like Chrysler's DeSoto, are bright stars on the horizon.  Of the two though for this "Which One?", the OLDSMOBILE based on the panoramic windshield, its lower look, and (inside) one of the most beautiful dashboards of any car from the Big Three for '54, GETS MY VOTE!  

I like both cars, on their own, for different reasons. But put together I see the DeSoto struggling to enter the mid-fifties while the Olds is clearly there. Modern and futuristic. Even it's two-tone colors say so!

Olds.

They are each gorgeous mid-Fifties automobiles ! I can see Groucho and sidekick George Fenneman touting the '54 DeSoto on "You Bet Your Life".

Although it seems a bit hard to believe, I read an article years ago that said the 1954 Oldsmobile was actually being developed as a 1955 edition, but was released a year early by that GM division. It seems difficult to see how development could be advanced so much and not get protests from their other divisions. In any case, it is a great-looking car.

I voted tie. I don't see one looking any better than the other. To me anyway.😁

I can see the "frowny frog face" on the Olds & I prefer the non-wrap around windshield of the DeSoto, it looks like a car windshield should look like to me.

DeSoto please.

DeSoto for me.  Not a fan of the Olds. 

Another DeSoto vote John. Some people really like that curved screen on the Oldsmobile. I always thought it a retro step and distorted.

I voted for the Desoto even though the Olds is more modern.  But if boxy is more modern I am not for  it.  Olds grill is still has a sad smirk.  The grill on the Desoto looks tough 

Another head scratcher John.  It is extremely close but I give the nod to the cleaner (although a bit boxy) styling of the DeSoto.  I also prefer its aggressive grille more than the pout of the Olds.

DeSoto all the way. The '54 Olds has never been a favorite, after the gorgeous '53 Olds, the '54 is a disappointment and looks so sad to be so. While the Desoto takes the '53 styling and improves on it wonderfully. The aggressive grill demands attention and foe me, deserves every bit of it.

Love both but it's the Oldsmobile for the paint color break.

Gents, thanks for your replies.

@sizedoesmatter I too vote for the Olds for it's color break. The DeSoto grill is still looking for it's custom car to adopt it.