The Cars of Princeton University 

8/23/21 to 9/16/21

Sam: Some cars I saw during my first few days at Princeton University

8/23/21 - 1987 Honda Civic Hatchback

This '87 Honda Civic hatchback appeared a few times on campus.  I suspect it belongs to a faculty member, as I saw it parked in this reserved space several times throughout the year.  These little cars are hard to come by now, as most of them were either ran into the ground, modded out, modded out and then ran into the ground, or ran into the ground and then modded out.  

2022 Update: This '80s Civic can be seen again in Late Winter Finds. 

8/23/21 - 1999 Toyota Corolla Beater

This little beater 1999 Corolla showed up one day on Prospect Ave.  I photographed it for posterity as these once-common cars are beginning to disappear from the streets.  I never saw it again so I have no idea what happened to it.  

8/29/21 - Ford F-150 Party Mobile

Time to get your party on!  Here's an 8th gen (1987-92) F150 outside the McCarter Theater on campus.  As the title suggests, this photo was taken during my first weekend on campus when there was plenty of partying going on.  I can't speak for the driver or the boarding passengers, but the truck sure is ready to party with that fancy wax job and those off-road tires.  

Above: (9/11/21) - 1949 REO Speed Wagon at the Whitman College Olympics: The Real REO Speed Wagon, not the Band (Sam)

This truck belongs to Nomad Pizza Co.  It has a brick oven built into the back of it for baking pizzas.  The truck was bought with a stake body from somewhere down South and fitted with the oven it has now, in order to become the sister truck to the other REO Speed Wagon that Nomad has.  I've never seen that truck, but this REO become a familiar face at many "Whitman Wrap" Fridays and other events the residential college had.  Surprisingly, this rig hasn't been LS-swapped or given a modern drivetrain.  I don't know what plants these trucks originally came with, but I spied an old-style screw-on air cleaner while peering through the grille.  Whatever is in this truck is carbureted.  My guess is either a 454 or maybe a small block Chevy due to their simplicity and ease of maintenance.  

Above: (9/16/21) - 1988 Mercedes Benz 560SL (R107) at Princeton (Sam)

This must have been a faculty member's classic, as it would appear various times throughout the year in the same spot when the weather permitted.  There was a little rust starting to form in the rear dog leg, but other than that the car was relatively clean.  I'm sure I'll see it again this year.  Sadly, it was an auto and not a 3-pedaler.