Late Winter Finds
3/4/22 to 3/18/22
Quite a lot to see here. From Rhode Island to New Jersey, we got you covered!
3/4/2022 - Dodge Dakota Campus Vehicle at Princeton (Sam)
David's always been posting old university vehicles from his school, so I figured I'd get in on the action. Here's an old Dodge Dakota that's being utilized by campus services. The rust must not be as bad in NJ, as most of the campus vehicles are still very clean.
3/4/2022 - 1956 Ford T-bird on Nassau Street (Sam)
This was spotted at the garage on Nassau Street where I previously saw the Avanti and Alfas. It must have gone in for some sort of work, as it was gone when I passed the garage later in the day.
3/5/2022 - Multicolored Chevy Conversion Van (Sam)
I saw this '90s Chevy on the way back home during Spring Break. Conversion vans are getting to be a rarer sight these days, so it was nice to see this one still going. Despite the replacement maroon hood, the rest of the van's body was in good shape.
Above: (3/5/2022) - 1987 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (Sam)
This Caddy could use a bath, but appears to otherwise be solid. I spotted it on the ride home for break, and it was a refreshing start to my week off.
3/5/2022 - Chevy Impala SS on a Trailer (Sam)
Also spotted on the ride home was this last-gen Impala SS. Yes, GM did technically make more generations of Impalas after this, but I consider the '92-'96 generation the last of the true, full-sized RWD Impalas. This example appears to be well-kept, and it's even getting a trailer ride to its next destination. Talk about first-class travel!
3/8/2022 - Chevy Corvette C3 in Smithfield, RI (Sam)
Another drive-by sighting, this C3 'Vette made a brief appearance one day in Smithfield.
3/8/2022 - Toyota SR-5 at Baffoni's in Johnston (Sam)
These old '90s SR-5's are getting to be a rare sight these days. My dad had a '94 SR-5 (last year before it became the Tacoma), so I have a bit of a soft spot for these trucks. This one was on plow duty at a poultry farm in Johnston.
3/8/2022 - Late 1930s or Early '40s Coupe in Johnston RI (Sam)
We're gonna need help ID-ing this one... I'm not extremely knowledgeable on '30s cars, plus the mobile fence and tree aren't helping any. This was parked at a garage next to the poultry farm.
Above: (3/8/2022) - 1967 Mustang Convertible (Unrestored Survivor) on Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI (Sam)
For all you folks patiently waiting, here's the ubiquitous Spring 'Stang. Because no album is complete without an early Mustang. This particular example must have sprung a bit too hard, as there was a big dent in the driver's side quarter panel. Other than that, the car looked to be in decent shape. I'm sure you could knock that dent right out with a hammer and dolly, so the damage isn't too terrible.
Above: (3/8/22) - Another One! 1990 Volvo 240 DL on Campus (David)
Another Volvo 240 on campus! This time it was in the student lot known as the Plains lot, since it's located out by some fields. I occasionally see this car drive around campus too.
3/8/22 - Lifted Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-80 (David)
Here is another campus find, although quite the polar opposite of the 240. It's the FJ80 Land Cruiser, making it the seventh generation of the Land Cruiser, and the third of the non-off roading models. This owner has definitely made this an off road vehicle though.
3/8/22 - 1993 Jeep Cherokee Sport (David)
Here we have another classic early SUV. Although it may not look too historical, this is the last of the AMC designed Jeeps, right as Chrysler was taking over ownership. You can tell this is the pre-facelift model by the grille. The early 1984-96 models had this sloped grille, while the later Chrysler models had a more flush grille with matching body paint. I'm glad to see that this one has been kept up well, and I love the fog lights on the bumper. Keep on truckin' Jeep!
3/8/22 - 1993 Mazda MX-5 (NA) Miata (David)
I was getting a snack at the top of campus, when this red Miata pulled up. The owner noticed me checking it out, and he said he had a few of these. One was totalled, so he had to use this one as his daily. RIP that Miata, fly high.
Above: (3/11/2022) - Old School Luxury: Lincoln Town car (Sam)
This old Lincoln barge was spotted on my return to campus from Spring Break. Other than the tired clear coat, this Lincoln was still going strong and escorting its passenger in the most "luxury" an 80s malaise car can provide. Sail on, fair land yacht!
3/11/2022 - Citroën 2CV on Rt. 4 (David)
Now talk about an unusual car. These Citroëns are very unique cars. They're a pre-WWII designed car that was abandoned because of the war. Similar to the VW Beetle, also designed around the same time, it was developed to be an affordable car for the people of France. Its design was completed in 1948, where it debuted at the Paris Motor Show. Citroën kept the design in use up to 1990. That's right... 40 years. Today they're an enthusiast's car appealing to a very specific person. The 2CV was a very underpowered car that became overshadowed by its VW Beetle and Mini Cooper contemporaries. Only a few made it over to the States, but weren't as popular, since the 9 horsepower engines couldn't get up to speed on the highway. Ironically enough, I saw this on the highway. But despite their obscurity, this car is pleasing to see. You don't see these a lot, so seeing one makes you look twice, and smile at one of the smallest 4-door cars ever made.
3/11/2022 - Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham: Complete with Duct-Taped Bumper Fillers (Sam)
And now it's time for another ubiquitous Cadillac, complete with duct-taped bumper fillers and a missing wheel cover. This Caddy's been around the block, but it's still doing its job. The body doesn't look to be too bad, so maybe the owner will consider investing in some new bumper fillers and a replacement wheel cover.
3/12/2022 - 1995 Ford Probe (David)
It's strange to me how the Ford Probe became forgotten. It fits the description of what would make it a perfect modern classic. It has pop up headlights, hatchback, and sporty styling. It also came with a manual transmission. So, when did this get lost in time? Unfortunately, these never caught on to the market. Since it was a joint production between Ford and Mazda, it became overshadowed by the Mustang and its competitors like the Acura Integra and Toyota Celica. It was discontinued in 1997. Today, these are a rare sight. This is the second Probe on here, and hopefully we'll find more. I think they look cool, especially the GT versions that came with the 3.0 V6 Vulcan engine. If you're looking for a cheap '90s sportscar and don't want to pay Miata money, try a Ford Probe. These have not peaked yet, and you can find a good one for less than $5000.
Above: (3/13/2022) - Ford Classics in the Snow (Sam)
Left to Right: Early 1970s Ford Maverick (Front), Ford C-Series semi cab (Rear), and a Mustang II (Far right), 1966 Ford Fairlane Sedan (Pic 2)
The first grouping of cars is at a shop near our family friends' house in Kingwood, NJ. The red Maverick had been rotting away in the front yard since I started school, and probably long before that. I didn't notice the Mustang II until David pointed it out. The Fairlane in the second photo was in much nicer shape, and I think the owner positioned it in the front yard in an attempt to sell it. I'd consider it if I had the space and money. Then again, I'd consider saving that poor Maverick because I hate seeing old cars rot.
Above and Left: (3/15/2022) - 2000 Saab 9-5 Sportcombi with Saab Decals (David)
This spectacular Saab was spotted in Mystic, CT. Seriously, I'm a Saab enthusiast, and I loved seeing this. However, I don't think I have this much self confidence to drive something like this around, but I gotta represent my brand somehow.
3/18/2022 - Chevy Corvette C8 on University Ave (Sam)
This was the first time I had seen a C8 mid-engine 'Vette up close and personal, so I decided to capture the moment in a photo. To be honest, there wasn't really a moment. I just biked past, saw the car and snapped a quick pic, then biked off again into the sunset to my dorm.