The Cars of New York

David: I spent the early part of my spring semester at Manhattan College, and I found myself exploring the areas around campus. Despite its name, Manhattan College is actually located in the Bronx, close to Van Cortlandt Park, one of the largest parks in New York City. This series will be for the cars I found during my time on campus. I was inspired by Langdon Clay's "New York City Cars" photography, which is a collection of cars photographed in NYC during the 1970s. I found he captured the state of the cars he encountered in a very authentic way. I plan to do the same with my finds. I don't know what I'll find, but that's all the beauty of exploring. Unlike Langdon Clay, I will not be out late at night photographing cars. 

Above: Another One! Mercedes Benz 380SL Coupe (C107): "Silver Benz Coupe"

And here we have a much nicer SL-Class coupe. This one has a pretty cool front clipper on it, which you don't often see on these cars. Nonetheless, this one is a decent example of an SL C107 Benz. 

Above: BMW 2002: "Manhattan College Car"

I was too excited to see this car. This makes our second 2002 spotted this winter which is unbelievable in all the greatest ways! I found this 2002 parked right outside of campus as I was heading back to finish unpacking. This one isn't as nice as the 2002 from earlier this winter, but I'll take a street parked classic like this any day. I was shocked that someone would be dailying this, but then again they are some of the best cars BMW ever made. You can read about the 2002 more in the Winter Break Finds 2022-23 collection, where I go more in depth on its importance in automobile history. As you can see in the close up of the 2002 badging, this does have some crustation starting to form, which shows that this car has been kept original. It's no show car, but I bet anyone would be just as ecstatic to see one of these street parked the same way you would at a show. 

Above: 1962 Chevy Impala: "Sunshine Queen"

This is a beauty. I found this parked at a gas station on the corner of W. 230th st. and Riverdale Ave. Riverdale Ave. becomes Irwin Ave, which is where I found the two Mercedes Benz 380SL coupes. Here we have something a bit more classier and in better shape. This Impala may have some aftermarket rims, but it sure looks clean. Though 1961 was the first year of the third generation B-Body Impalas, 1962 featured a completely different redesign and an engine that would be featured in a hit song. We'll touch more on that later. 1962 brought a more simplistic design compared to previous Impalas. Though there was still a fair amount of chrome, the cars would become larger and boxier and the fins would be lost. The engine that was introduced in 1962 was none other than the 409 CI engine, with "one horse power per cubic inch" 409 HP. Hopefully you all knew your Beach Boys discography! The 409 would replace the 348 CI engine. I'm not sure if this is a 409 car, because the badging was removed, but I wouldn't be shocked if it had a V8 under the hood. I also wouldn't be shocked if the owner LS swapped it. This is one beautiful Chevy Impala though, and I'm glad to have seen it here in NYC.

Above: 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1: "West 230th St. Mustang"

This was also at the gas station that Impala was at. It's a '71, which means its the first of the "Big Horse" era Mustangs, and the last of the first generation Mustangs, before the Mustang II would replace it in '74. While more stock than the Impala, this one was sporting some sporty Cragar rims, and let's not forget to mention that silver and black paint jobs. 

The '71 to '73 Mustangs were always a favorite of mine from the muscle car era. However, I'm going to have to thank cinema for that. Although everyone knows the Bullitt Mustang, the "Big Horse" 'Stangs have had their fair share of time in the spotlight. I remember watching the original "Gone in 60 Seconds" film as a kid, and I instantly fell in love with the '73 Gold and Black "Eleanor" Mustang used in the film. Although it got completely destroyed in the film, I remember the car always looked sleek compared to what I pictured a typical classic Mustang as. Again, in Diamonds are Forever, James Bond made these Mustangs look sleekier than ever, and even pulled off some cool stunts. I'm not going to spoil the movie though. The point is, I love the '71 to '73 Mustangs, and they'll always be some of my favorite muscle cars, or pony cars, from Ford. 

Above: Yet Another One! Mercedes Benz 380 SL (C107) Coupe: "The Benz Under the Bridge"

I must be on a roll here. This makes our third 380SL found so far! Like the Squarebody wrecker from earlier, this too was found under the elevated train bridge that follows Broadway St. From a far, I thought this Benz may have been abandoned based on its appearance, but I think may have seen it driving earlier a few days ago. I wonder if I'll find any more of these in my future ventures around the city. Only time will tell.

Above: Toyota Supra Turbo Mk. III: "Street Parked Supra"

To conclude today's haul of finds, we have another Japanese classic, a Mk. III Supra, and also the last of its kind to sport pop up headlights. I found this at a car wash as I was heading back towards campus. This has been one of the nicer modern classics I've seen so far, not including just my time in New York. It has a few pieces of trim missing, but for a 30 year old car (or older) that lives in the city, I really can't blame it. You can't go one block around here and not find a car detailer or repair shop, so we'll see what cool cars appear street parked on the streets of the Bronx. Until next time!

Above: Two Swedes and Two More Germans in the Yonkers Junkyard

Here are some more cars that I found stashed away in the yard. You can clearly see from left to right, an early 1980s Volvo 240, a Volvo P1800ES Estate, and a newer BMW 3-Series (E46). The maroon car in back of the gold 240 is a Volkswagen Golf Mk. II Cabrio. That makes two Swedes and two more German friends! From what I could see, all the cars seemed to be in savable condition, minus a few smashed windshields, so maybe someday, who ever owns this yard will come save these old European cars. You all know I would if I had the time, money, and space. I should probably make a list of all the cars I've said that about. I'm sure I'll need a much bigger lot. 

Above: A Closer Look at the Celica

Here you can have a look at the radical front end of this Celica. It looks so weird, but I love it. I also included a photo of the rims because they too look radical and cool. Enjoy this radical and cool Celica from the 1980s.

Above: 1987 BMW 325i E30 Convertible: "Post Rd. Bimmer"

Another classic Bimmer! This time we have an E30, and arguably the most famous of the 1980s BMW lineup. 

The E30 has become the flagship modern classic, and for good reason. Earlier this Winter, I talked about the BMW 2002 setting the standard for the modern sports sedan. The E30 is like Sgt. Pepper's in the way that the 2002 was Rubber Soul. Rubber Soul saw the Beatles' transition into more advanced song writing, and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was when they got it right. The 2002 was BMW's transition into the modern sports car market, and the E30 was their Sgt. Pepper's, in other words, their masterpiece. In the 1980s, it was praised for its amazing handling, power, and design, all of which hold true today. 

The E30 has become an automotive icon in a similar way that the Chevy Impala has.  I discussed that earlier in Bike Ride 15. Much like the Impala, the E30 appears numerous times throughout car and popular culture. Its tough for a car remain synonymous among multiple generations. To some, the Corvette became a boomer joke and the Mustang became a meme of traffic violations and obnoxious owners. However, the E30 remains just as iconic today as the day it hit the streets in the 1980s. How has it been able to do that? I believe there are a few answers to this question. First, the obvious reason. These are relatively affordable cars that offer an engaging driving experience. They're also rear wheel drive, powerful, and reliable. Second, the 1980s have become the classic cars of my generation. The muscle cars of the 1960s and '70s were for the generation before us, and Sam, but its our turn to preserve the next generation. Lastly, I can't not talk about the design. Like the triple tail lights on the Impala, the classic BMW grille is instantly recognizable. Even if you don't know cars that well, you're probably familiar with that grille design. 

Today, the E30 legacy remains just as relevant as did 40 years ago. Modern musical artists like Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean are two proud owners of the BMW E30, which helps the E30 retain its relevance in today's pop-culture scene. Despite the outrageous used car prices of 2023, it still remains an affordable car for enthusiasts alike, and are still seen on the road today daily driven. The E30 is the new modern automotive legend. 

Side note: I found a blue 1980s Pre-Facelift Saab 900 Turbo Hatchback near this car. Unfortunately, I was unable to photograph the car because it was parked behind another Saab, a more modern 9-5 model.  It looked to be in rough shape. I suspect the car was from the years 1984 to '86, judging by its grille. Maybe I'll try to get a better photo of it next time.

Above: 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera International Series: "Streetside Junker Sedan"

Obviously, you saw this car behind the conversion van, and it doesn't look much better than that car. We have here a Cutlass Ciera International Series. The International Series trim level was a carry over from the Pontiac Grand Prix from the late 1970s. GM wanted the Cutlass Ciera to be seen as a "competitor" with domestic and foreign brands. Essentially, this got you the cool badge with the flags of several different nations. Bucket seats, sun roof, and a sporty exhaust were standard for the International Series, while under the hood, the car came with a 3.8L V6 engine. Power ratings were in the ball park of 150HP. Did this plan really turn out the way GM intended it to? 

Above: 1978 Chevy Caprice Classic Sedan: "West 204 St. Car"

Here's another great example of an old school NYC beater. Before seeing this car, I had the disappointment of a Saab 9000 and an early '80s Volvo 240 drive off on me as I was about to photograph them. When I saw this old Chevy street parked, my mood increased sevenfold. It's a 1978 Chevy Caprice Classic, making it a true veteran of the New York City streets. It was "complete" with missing wheel covers, a nice dent, and missing trim. This car also had some security features too: a padlocked steering column and hood! 

I love  seeing pristine condition classics on the road, but there's something more about seeing a raw, worn out, honest beater like this Caprice still on the road. This car has a story, like an elderly person who's spent their whole life non stop in a place like that of New York. Maybe it's not an exciting tale, but to learn the experiences of the past are what makes stories like those fascinating because learning about times we never knew but only heard of are truly captivating. To be a car cruising the streets of New York is a curious thought, as I'm sure this car has seen a lot. Just like one's scar has a story, the scrapes and dents contribute to this car's story. A story I don't know, but can only imagine. Almost 50 years later, this old Chevy patiently rests, street parked, awaiting whatever next adventure it will embark on next. Maybe someday, I'll have a car like this in 50 years, and it'll have a story of its own, but for now, I'll just have to wait for that time.

Above: 1977 Chevy Corvette C3: "Franken-Vette"

I named this the "Franken-Vette" because from what I could tell, this has the front fascia of a '80 to '82 Corvette and the rear fascia of a '75 to '77 Corvette. 1980 and later C3 'Vettes were updated from the more streamlined front fascia to what is seen here, with a front clipper. The rear fascia recieved a similar update. From '75 to '77, the rear end of the Corvette looked very similar to the one seen here, but I believe the '77 model featured the black bumper guards. So, the next time you see a Corvette C3, it might not be just another C3, it could be something a bit special like this one. 

Above: 1983 Chevy Camaro: "Black and Gold Chevy"

This Camaro was found on Nagle Ave. under the subway bridge. For a reference point, this was close to 10th Ave. It's the famed third generation "IROC" Camaro, a car that occasionally appears here, but as we'll come to see today, a bit more frequent. I like the Black and Gold paint configuration, although it's not a Firebird, it reminds me a lot of the car from Smokey and the Bandit. I'm not sure if this color configuration is stock though. I know the black paint is, and I believe the rims are, but the stripes are a mystery to me. 

Above: Dodge Ram Raider: "Forgotten '80s Cult Classic "

What on earth is this! When I was photographing the 240, I noticed the rear end of this vehicle, and thought "Oh, it's a classic Land Rover." Then I did a double take and thought "No, it's too small of a car." By this point, I was more curious than Curious George, and I walked over to investigate this bizarre vehicle. When I read the "Raider" badging on the back, I thought it was one of those small Suzuki tracker type vehicles, but then I saw "Dodge," and I was stumped. So, what on earth is the Dodge Raider? 

The Raider was a re-badge of the Mitsubishi Pajero (known as the Montero in the States) that was only produced from 1987 to 1989. However, during this time, re-badged Mitsubishi cars was nothing new to Chrysler. A more popular example was the Chrysler Conquest, a sports car based on the Mitsubishi Starion. The partnership began in the early '70s, when Chrysler and other Big Three brands began purchasing stakes in smaller Japanese car brands. In the 1980s, the engineering partnership began and cars like the Conquest and Raider were born. The idea for the raider came after the success of the Montero. It proved to be a solid off-road vehicle, and the compact SUV market was taking off in the 1980s. Dodge saw an opportunity to find success in that market. They already had the Ram Charger, but lacked competition with Jeep YJ Wrangler and other small SUV-like vehicles, such as the Suzuki Samurai. To make the Raider more appealing to American buyers and to make the car seem less like a re-badged import, Dodge added "Imported for Dodge" on the rear tailgate. Sadly, the Raider never really took off as Dodge hoped, and after three years of production, the Raider was killed off in 1989. Today, little is known about these cars and I had a lot of trouble finding information about it. It's become the very definition of a cult classic, appealing to a niche pocket of the car community who enjoy these Japanese Mini SUVs. 

Above: 1982 Chevy Camaro Z-28: "Finale"

To conclude the "Cars of New York Series," we have another third generation Camaro. This was found close to Van Cortlandt Park, off a street appropriately named "Van Cortlandt Park Ave." A bit more stock than the previous "IROC era" Camaro, this one is a Z-28 and has the famed "Cross Fire Injection," which has been a controversial topic among Camaro and Corvette enthusiasts. Essentially Cross Fire injection means that the engine has two fuel injectors which open every time each spark fires. From the side, these Camaros look a lot more modern than most '80s American cars. While still pretty boxy, it looks swoopy, and I can see the lineage of the fourth generation "Fishbody" Camaros. I believe that the third generation was a great breath of fresh air the Camaro desperately needed. If you recall from Bike Ride 20, I talked about how I really didn't like the last of the second generation Camaros. To me, these third generation cars were exactly what the Camaro needed. It was a modern design that brought a sense of newness to the forefront, making these popular upon release. The second generation lasted from 1970 until 1981 with some cosmetic changes, but by the end of production, it was a very outdated design. The third generation would be produced for ten years, from '82 to '92. The IROC refers to a trim package offered for the Z-28 Camaros '85 to '90. It stands for International Race of Champions, and has become what people refer to the third gen Camaro, even if it's not really a true IROC. 

With that, the Cars of New York Series is concluded. Although I spent a short amount of time down in the Bronx, I really enjoyed getting to explore the area on my downtime from school. It really brought back memories from the early bike rides of exploring my home state of RI. I plan to return to New York in the future, not for academic purposes, but maybe to live or stay for a few days and do some more exploring. There was quite a bit I didn't get to see, which leaves all the fun and enjoyment for next time. See you later, New York.