Fall Finds
10/8/21 to 12/20/21
FALLLLLL! These cars were all spotted at random intervals during the period between the start of our first semesters of college and Winter Break. Some cars were spotted in Rhode Island and some were found in New Jersey. There weren't too many finds during this time, but we still managed to capture the occasional classic on campus or along a street nearby.
Above and Left: 9/22/21 - Custom 1965 Ford Econoline Van at Memorial Union (David)
This van belonged to an organization that was doing some promotional booth outside the student union. I was walking to my 2pm class, when I came across this classic Econoline van with custom graphics and a lifted suspension. I really don't see these that often, and they're a really cool looking van from the 1960s. I haven't seen this van since this date, but maybe it'll return next year.
Above: 9/23/21 - 2002 Saab 9-5 2.3t Sportcombi at the Kingston Emporium (David)
Another one of the last "true Saabs" before the official GM take over. Technically GM had taken over Saab by this point, but these 9-5s were still fully designed by Saab. The 9-5 wagons are a treat for me when I see them, because I usually don't see them that often as much as the 9-3. This 9-5 is a linear model, meaning it's the base trim.
Above: 9/23/21 - 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero also at the Kingston Emporium (David)
Another Saab enthusiast at URI. I got to meet the owner of this car. It's an '06 9-3 Aero that's been modified a bit. This car has 247k original miles, but still runs strong. The owner has upgraded the exhaust, brakes, and suspension.
10/8/21 - Ford F-150 Shortbed on Princeton Campus (Sam)
This seventh generation (1980-1986) F-150 showed up a few times during some construction on campus.
Above: (10/10/21) - 1992 Cadillac Sedan De Ville in Downtown Providence (David)
One of the last Cadillacs to have fins, this Caddy is a daily driver that hangs out in the Downtown Providence area, I used to see these a lot when I was younger, but as I've gotten older, these have started to disappear from the brutal Rhode Island roads.
Above: (10/10/21) - 1992 Chevy Caprice Sedan (David)
Another city cat parked in Downtown Providence, this old beater has seen better days. BUT it still runs nonetheless.
10/11/21- 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback (David)
This is one sweet Mustang! My dad spotted at Narragansett Pier. Thanks dad for the submission!
Above: (10/16/21) - Classics at a Cruise-In (Sam)
Left to Right: 1953 Chevy Coupe and a 1985 Oldsmobile 88 (Pic 1), 1969 Chevy Chevelle Convertible and a '50s Ford F-100 (Pic 2)
This must have been part of a mini cruise-in, as there were a handful of classics parked in the lot. This is the same place that has the Model A pickup outside as a decoration, so I likely took this photo on my way either to or from the radio museum in CT.
10/16/21 - Cruise-In Continued (Sam)
Front to Rear: 1984 Trans am (Black), 1967 Chrysler Imperial (Beige), and 1987 Monte Carlo (White)
A continuation of the Cruise-In mentioned above. Since this was another drive-by shot, the quality is not so great. The photo is also obscured by the bulging-eye fender of the car passing us.
Above: 10/22/21 - 2005 Lotus Elise Roadster at the Fascitelli Engineering Building (David)
Not a classic, but certainly a cool find! I think this is a faculty member's car. It was parked in one of the faculty lots behind the engineering building. I spotted it walking from that building, and the bright yellow paint wasn't hard to spot. It's very rare that I see a Lotus, but they're such small cars in person.
10/22/21 - Blurry Photo of a VW Golf Mk. I (Sam)
This was taken on the last day of my Fall Break. It was also the night that I rode in my dad's CR-V for the last time (booo!). I was in East Greenwich to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra perform (a concert that had been delayed since April 2020) when I spotted this gem on the street. I photographed it from inside the car so the shot is blurry. There was also a blue 80's Nissan Sentra that I didn't manage to get a picture of.
10/23/21 - 1980s Chevy C-10 Shortbed on a trailer (Sam)
I'm not sure why, but I've somehow erased ever seeing this car from my mind. Judging by the date, I must have seen it on my way back to campus after Fall Break. However, I have no recollection of it. This truck appears to be in nice shape, although I can't say I'm a fan of the rims. The bottom of the door also looks a little wavy, so there might be some filler present.
10/23/21 - Volvo 240 Estate (Sam)
This was spotted on my return to campus from Fall Break. On my trips to and from campus, I usually encounter at least one 240 on the highway.
10/23/21 - GMC L-9000 Dump Series in Action (Sam)
This was on our friends' farm in NJ. I wasn't allowed to drive this one since it was a manual, but I got to watch it move around and get some use.
10/23/21 - Cab of an M-35 "Deuce and Half" 6x6 Truck (Sam)
Another vehicle of my friends' that was stored on the farm. I didn't get to see it in action, but it does still get used for farm work.
Above and Left: (11/6/21) - Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 in Seekonk, MA (David)
Maybe one of the most iconic modern JDM cars of all time, this indeed a true right hand drive import. The R32 was produced from 1989 to '94, and is probably one of the most desirable years of the Skyline. This example is very clean and well maintained and looks to be mostly stock. It has some nice rims on it as well. This car easily was one of the coolest cars I had ever found.
11/10/21 - 1989 Volvo 240 Outside the Frick Chemistry Building at Princeton (Sam)
This just showed up one day as I was walking to my chemistry lecture, so I inconspicuously took out my phone and photographed it. I overheard the owner talking about how her car was "32 years old" so that's how I was able to determine the age. Other than the duct tape on the headlight, the car appeared to be in nice shape for its age.
11/13/21 - Buick Reatta on University Way (Sam)
Another drive-by shot, only this one's in reverse. This Reatta happened to be driving by while I was walking on campus one day, so I snapped a quick pic of it.
11/17/21 - 1967 Olds Cutlass Convertible for sale in North Providence, RI (Sam)
My mom was the one who took this photo, but I've seen this car several times before. I was surprised to see it up for sale, but it looked to be in the same shape as when I'd last seen it. I think it sold, as I haven't seen it since then.
11/17/21 - 1972 Mercury Comet on I-95 South Near NY (Sam)
This shot came from my dad (thanks dad!) as my parents were driving down to pick me up for Thanksgiving break. Judging by the taillights, it appears to be a Comet, and not its Maverick cousin. While the photo isn't the best quality, the car does appear to be in decent shape.
Above: 11/22/21 - Ford Crown Victoria LX Service Vehicle at the URI Ryan Center (David)
I had applied for a job position in the Ryan Center, the athletic stadium on campus. I was coming back from my interview, and this old Crown Vic was parked here. Here is a pretty basic Crown Vic that looks to have been in service for a long time. I'm really glad that URI is keeping these old cars in service, as they will run forever. I'm curious to see the mileage on this, as I see it all the time running around campus.
Above: 11/22/21 - 2000 Ford Mustang GT Convertible at the Ryan Center (David)
Also at the Ryan Center was this later model fourth generation Mustang GT. It's really nothing too special and there's not a whole lot to say here, but these are becoming slightly collectible, along with the Fox Bodies.
Above: 11/27/21 - 1959 Edsel Corsair (Sam)
One of the cooler finds on my return trips to school. This car looked to be in nice shape. I can see some evidence of rust repair on the rear wheel arch and lower quarter, but it appears the owner is taking good care of it.
Above: 11/30/21 - 2001 Saab 9-3 5MT at Brookside Hall (David)
Out on a late night stroll, I came across this first gen Saab 9-3. This is a common car I see around campus that belongs to one of the students. It also has a 5 speed manual transmission. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but this body style is one of my favorite modern era Saabs, along with the Saab 9-5 wagon. This body style was carried over from the second gen 900 (1994-98), and was used as the 9-3 until 2002. I would really love to have one of these in my Saab collection someday.
12/5/21 - 1986 Chevy Cavalier CS Wagon at Wickford Junction (David)
Now here's a car that's nothing special at all, but something you don't see anymore. The first gen Chevy Cavalier was produced from 1982 to '87 as a replacement for the Chevy Monza and as a car to fill the gap between the Chevette and the Citation. I'm really glad somebody decided to keep this car around.
12/7/21 - 2010 Saab 9-3X Driving Down Butterfield Rd. (David)
This is a real Saab treat. The 9-3X was a one year only trim offered by Saab to compete with the Volvo XC70 as a AWD wagon with the protective plastic trim around the wheel arches and bumpers. It was not offered in the sedan body style. To the average Saab enthusiast, it's just a 9-3 wagon with some extra trim, but people that do know what these cars are know they're pretty rare. My family also happens to own one in blue. It belonged to my grandmother until she gave up her license, and we inherited it. My dad has had people come up to him constantly telling him about the rarity of these cars.
12/7/21 - Custom Chevy C-10 Pickup at the Ryan Center (David)
I occasionally see this truck around campus too. It's a very clean Chevy Squarebody pickup with a lifted suspension and period correct custom rims. I think it's a very tastefully modified truck compared to others. I think the owner might be a student as well, which is also pretty cool.
12/20/21 - 1985 Buick Riviera in Providence (Sam)
This car appeared during my Winter Break in Providence and continued to reside around this area for the following months. I think I saw it sometime this Summer (2022), so it's still going strong out there. '80s GM cars like these were still a common sight during my childhood, and I remember seeing the occasional Caddy with missing bumper fillers every so often.