Fall Finds 2022

Stay tuned this fall! We have a lot of cool cars to come your way, both in Rhode Island and New Jersey. 

Above: (9/23/22) - VW Superbeetle on Nassau Street, NJ (Sam)

This little gem appeared while I was out walking with my friends on a Friday after classes.  It was in really nice shape and didn't look to have any rust.  I think the owner might have modified the stance a bit, as it's sitting lower up front.  That and the front bumper has been removed.  I don't mind that mod, since the chunky 70s bumper didn't really add much to the car's looks.  

Above: (9/23/22) - Volvo 240 and a Nissan Hardbody Pickup on Nassau St. (Sam)

And parked at a different garage across from the first, we have these two gems.  Both look like they could use a good polishing, and the Volvo's bumper is starting to sag, but they're still in overall solid condition and would clean up with only minimal work.  Note, this is not the same 240 I photographed late last year outside of my chemistry class.  I've seen that car once since moving in this year, and it hasn't changed a bit.  So there's at least two white 240s around campus.  

Above: (9/24/22) - 1981 Volvo 242 DL 4MT (David)

This is one nice looking Volvo! This 242 Swede is easily one of the nicest Volvo 200 Series cars I've ever been around. The exception is Jim's 242 GT which can be seen in the Fall 2020 Collection. I was out for a walk on the bike path when I noticed the roofline of this car out of the corner of my eye. I was amazed at how clean the car was, as we all know what a typical Volvo 240 can look like. I'm really glad the owner has cared for this car. I'll say it again, this is one of the nicest classic Volvos I've ever seen. 

Above: (9/25/22) - 1993 Honda Accord LX (David)

The fourth gen Honda Accord is becoming a less and less common car each day. While still not a true classic yet, I do appreciate seeing these. It's a car often forgotten about because it really isn't anything that stands out. I like them because they're a transitional car. Elements of the 1980s boxy designs can be seen, while '90s roundness starts to show through.  By 1994, the Accord and most cars would change to the rounder, aerodynamic designs we see today. The '93 Honda Accord is the end of an era.

Above: (10/1/22) - 1988 Dodge Power Ram 150 (David)

This old beater pickup seems to be suffering some structural problems in its old age. Nonetheless, I liked it. Despite all the NRA and 'MERICA stickers plastered all over the back bumper, classic Dodge trucks like this will always have a soft spot for me. They're the last of a dying bread of classic work trucks from an era where trucks were simple vehicles. They're also largely over shadowed by its contemporary, the Squarebody. However, like the Squarebody, Dodge kept these in production for over 20 years with cosmetic updates every few years. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how many years this one has left in it. That sagging frame will only get worse and worse. 

Above: (10/6/22) - 1971 Chevy Monte Carlo (David)

One sunny afternoon, I went for a walk after my classes. I found myself walking down Kingstown road, when I came to a clearing. Up upon the hill against a wary old house was this '71 Monte for sale that appeared to be in a similar condition. The car looked pretty stock at first, but I as I got closer, I noticed it had been modified. Aside from a few modifications, this car was riddled with bumper stickers that referenced times where sex was safe and racing was dangerous. Ah yes, the good old days. Now, the owner called this a "street legle race car." His words, not mine. To me, it looks like its racing days are a thing of the past. He was asking six grand, according to the sign on the window. This car lives and breathes the classic phrase "no low ballers, I know what I have." 

Now I'm going to take this time to talk about something that I like to call "me too classics." A "me too classic" is a car or vintage item that isn't collectible by any standards, but because it's old and from a time period where other more collectible contemporaries were produced, people like to upcharge these items on the sole factor that its a vintage item that existed in a time when a similar collectible item existed. I see this all the time with old musical instruments and cars. So, despite being a first generation Monte Carlo, what makes this a "me too classic?" This Monte is not as original despite what the owner says. This has a 350 engine from a 1977 car, a rear end drivetrain from '69 car, a stripped interior, and lots of rot and rust. With all that in mind, the owner is charging 6000 dollars based on the fact that this is a first generation Monte Carlo, and it's the most desirable generation. If this were a 1971 Monte with a 454 engine and had original parts, then I could justify the six grand price tag in this condition, but it's not, so I can't justify it all. All that price tag has to back it up is the fact that it existed among those collectible Montes. 

Above: (10/8/22) - Street Parked 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 SE (W126) (David)

The next two finds were spotted in Providence, as I had some time to kill one afternoon and decided to go swing by the city as I hadn't been in a while. I first came upon this pretty clean Benz S-Class off of Wickenden street. It appears to have migrated north.

Above: (10/8/22) - 1973 Chevy Corvette Stingray C3 (David)

This is probably one of the cleanest C3 'Vettes I've seen so far. I really like the striking orange paint on the car, which makes it stand out from most cars. 1973 was also the last year of the chrome rear bumpers, before Chevy gave the C3 the more sloped rear end. '73 was also first year to feature the chrome bumper-less front end clip, making this car a hodge podge of a 'Vette.

Above: 10/12/22 - 1983 Oldsmobile 88 Royale (Sam)

I was heading across campus to take some welding lessons when I happened across this beauty.  This is the perfect example of a car you just don't see anymore, at least not like this.  Most of the beater Oldsmobiles disappeared from the streets 10-20 years ago, but somehow this one survived.  It's got some rust in the quarters and duct tape on the vinyl top, and it even still has what's likely the original blue NJ license plate on the car from when it was first purchased.  I was happy to see this one still out there doing its duty.  Hopefully, it makes it through the coming Winter alright.