Mid Fall Finds '24

Happy Thanksgiving! Here are the classic cars we found during November. 

Above: (11/4/24) - 1988 Dodge Aries LE (David)

Welcome to one of the most important cars in American automotive history. We've outlined the history of the Chrysler K-Car in a previous entry, featuring a very similar Dodge Aries. If you'd like to read more about the history of the K-Car, check that entry out.

The Dodge Aries and its direct relative, the Plymouth Reliant, are easily the most recognizable American cars of the 1980s, and besides the Chrysler LeBaron Town and Country with its faux wood paneling, the most K-Car of all the K-Cars. For as revolutionary as the K-Platform was at revitalizing Chrysler in the 1980s, Lee Iacocca did an amazing job at making the design distinguishable from all the other American marques of the time. There's no denying that any Chrysler product, whether it be the Minivan, Sedan, Station Wagon, or Convertible is anything else except a K-Car.

These cars have become so synonymous with their respective platform, that they're commonly referred to as a "K-Car" instead of their model name. That'd be like calling a Chevy Impala or a Buick LeSabre a Chevy B-Body or a Buick B-Body. I feel that detail alone is often overlooked in the success of the K-Car. It speaks more deeply to the approach that Mr. Iacocca took in the development of the K-Car, by utilizing an approach where parts were shared across platforms and body styles. Though the similarities of each car across each K-Platform derivative made for fairly similar looking cars across Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth, it ultimately made for a car that stood out, and one that Americans fell in love with, making it one of the greatest American cars of all time. 

As Chrysler, and its parent company Stellantis face difficulty in turning profits and creating new models that Americans want to buy, perhaps both companies should turn back to the book of Lee Iacocca, and use the same approach he did at finding success in the 1980s, bringing Chrysler back from the dead. Afterall, the man himself said he could do it again. Although, maybe I'm just beating a dead horse by saying that.

Above: K-Car Close Ups

Besides the nasty dent in the front left quarter panel, this is a nicely preserved K-Car for a daily driver. Seeing one of these in the wild is a rare sight nowadays, but a K-Car will always make me smile. They're historically important, yet a pleasant sight to look at. Thank you, Mr. Iacocca. 

Above: (11/6/24) - 1992 BMW 325i Convertible (E30) (David)

As I was making my way back from school, at the intersection of Tower Hill Rd. and Route 1, I noticed across the street from me the distinctive front fascia that only of a BMW E30. Sure enough, when the light turned green, I made my way over to investigate.

This 1991 325i is a pretty standard example. While it does feature the 2.5 liter inline four cylinder M40 engine, it is coupled to a four speed automatic transmission, hindering the true potential of the car. While I cannot speak from personal experience of driving an E30, I have read and heard countless testimonials from drivers that the best way to get the E30 experience is with a manual transmission. I'm sure this car is a blast to drive regardless of the transmission. Afterall, I firmly believe that any car can be enjoyed regardless of what lies in the center console and under the hood. 

Above: An Unusual Detail on the 3-Series

This was a pretty stock looking 3-Series, until I noticed a small hood scoop towards the windshield on the left side of the hood. It appears to be an aftermarket add on, as I was unable to find anything noting that it was a factory option. I'm also unsure if it's functional. It looks to be purely cosmetic, as I didn't see any hint of the engine bay shining through when I saw it in person. I could be mistaken though. 

Above: (11/17/24) - 1986 Ford Mustang GT (David)

Finally an original Foxbody Mustang with sealed beam headlights! I've been looking to photograph a Mustang like this one for some time now, and my waiting has finally paid off. Here is a terrific example of a mid 1980s Mustang. It's a GT, Fastback, and a local car, originating from Paul Bailey's Ford in Warwick. This is also a car that has been cared for. With a slight fade on the paint finish, this Mustang is as original as it'll get, with no poor taste modifications distracting from the car's original state. 

1983 marked a brief update for the third generation Mustang, or the "Foxbody" as it was nicknamed by Mustang owners, being based on the Ford Fox Platform from 1979 through 1993. Its midcycle refresh in '83 essentially refined the front fascia design, minimalizing the grille and setting the headlamps further back into the design. A new body style became available in convertible form, which proved to be a popular option for Mustang buyers. The Mustang SVO, a rare high performance spec of the third generation Mustang, was introduced for 1984, with roughly 10,000 produced through 1986. 

With its facelift in 1983, lasting through 1986, this version of the Foxbody looks ahead of its time. The color matching bumpers, minimized grille, and body molded rear taillights give this Mustang an appearance of that of the early '90s during its mid '80s lifetime. Honestly, I think these 1983 through '86 Mustangs make the final '87 to '93 Mustangs look a little dated in terms of how they aged. 

Above: Foxbody in Focus

This Mustang is equipped with the largest engine available at the time. The Ford "5-O" 5.0 liter, 302 cubic inch V8 was the largest and most powerful engine available for the Mustang GT, despite not being available in the highest production spec excluding the special edition SVO. The top high performance option for the Foxbody Mustang was the Turbo GT, which was available with a turbocharged 2.3 liter four-cylinder engine, which netted a lower power rating than the standard GT, and a higher price than the GT. By 1986, the Mustang GT with the 302 V8 was capable of 200 horsepower, which generated optimism that American automakers were finally able to stretch their legs as they exited the Malaise era dark period of the late '70s and early '80s.

Above: (11/17/24) - 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Cabriolet Mk. I (David)

We return back to Kane Automotive, a European car repair shop last seen back in 2021 in the entry of the same name. There, I photographed some classic MG roadsters and Volkswagen Beetle to name a few. It's only fitting that this dilapidated VW Rabbit was spotted in the same lot as its predecessor was all those years ago, and also with a missing convertible top!

Above: Rabbit Much?

Before everyone fell in love with the Golf, there was the Rabbit. When the Golf Mk. I was introduced in 1974, it was sold as the Rabbit in the American and Canadian markets as the Rabbit until 1984. From '84 and onwards, the Rabbit would become known as the Golf or the Cabriolet to avoid confusion among buyers and markets. 

These early models featured a running rabbit insignia next to the "Rabbit" name plate badge. It looks pretty adorable if you ask me, personally speaking. This car also features a rather cartoonish decal, noting the car is of the Mk. I generation. Again, also pretty adorable. I think Volkswagen could have used the Rabbit name to their potential in terms of marketing and creativity. Plus, the running Rabbit alludes to speed! Golf is slow and boring! 

Above: (11/17/24) - 1948 Dodge B-2B Stakebed 3/4-Ton Truck (David)

The Dodge B-Series of trucks were Dodge's first modern truck in the post war era, similar to the Chevy Advance Design, which also debuted in 1948. They were produced from 1948 to '53, and were available in a few forms. The B-1B and C were 1/2 ton trucks, while the B-2B were 3/4 ton trucks. All came with an inline six cylinder engine, producing between 95 and 108 horsepower. The B-1T and V were available as a semi tractor or a van, respectively. The B-Series was replaced in 1954 by the Dodge C-Series, best known as the "Sweptline" truck. 

The B-Series was notable for its "pilothouse" cab design, which allowed for better visibility than most trucks of its era. The B-Series also featured an engine that was shifted forwards on the frame, with the front wheels pushed backwards for better weight distribution while carrying heavy loads. This detail can be observed in the side picture (bottom left), with the front wheels noticeably towards the cab instead of further towards the front bumper like on a typical truck of the same time period. It gives the B-Series a seemingly European appearance.

Above: The B-Series

This B-Series has been parked at this repair shop since about 2019. Sam's father, who knows the owner of the shop, says that he has been trying to sell it for sometime to no avail. According to the owner, despite its outward appearance, the truck had been restored at one point. Due to its lack of movement for a few years, it will probably require some work. 

This truck sort of reminds of the haunted 1941 Chevy van from Jeepers Creepers (2001). Though that film featured a Chevy instead of a Dodge, both have a very rusty and aged appearance. The setting sun cast a decent shadow on this Dodge, making it look all the more eerie. 

Above: (11/18/24) - 1985 Honda CB-450SC Nighthawk (David)

Oh look, a motorcycle? Yup, this is the first classic motorcycle I've photographed for ONEC, and probably not the last. What a better way to start than with a classic Honda as well! Though my mother would never let me own one, I've always had a soft spot for old motorcycles. Their design isn't really as evolved as substantially as automobile design, but nevertheless, I can usually siphon one out from the crowd. 

This 1985 Honda Nighthawk was parked at a rather pleasant location, along the University of Rhode Island's campus bike path. I'm fairly certain this is the wrong type of bike for the bike path! 

Above: Old New England Bikes?'

If Old New England Trucks became a thing, surely Old New England Bikes can. Afterall, I do enjoy some classic motorbikes from time to time. 

Above: (11/19/24) - 1966 Pontiac Ventura (David)

I had to chase this one down. Some cars are just too good to pass up. Here is no exception. This 1966 Pontiac Ventura is one of GM's best looking cars to come out of the 1960s, and perhaps of all time. The stacked headlight era of Pontiac truly defined the company's image of the 1960s, as no other brand, besides Plymouth and Cadillac were using them. Yes, the Ford Galaxy and AMC Ambassador did, but they didn't use them to extent that Pontiac did. Pontiac used the stacked light design across their entire range, from the smaller Tempest, to the GTO, to the Catalina and Ventura, to the Bonneville. 

In 1960, the Ventura was Pontiac's upscaled offering for their full size line up. It was essentially an optioned-out Catalina, priced above it, but below the Bonneville and Grand Prix, Pontiac's top offerings. The Ventura was available with wheel covers, a sportier steering wheel, and a more luxurious interior. The Ventura was essentially the Impala to the Catalina's Bel Air, if that analogy makes sense. Despite being a nicer Catalina, the Catalina still outsold the Ventura as Pontiac's most popular model. The introduction of the Pontiac 2+2 in 1964 made the "sportier" appearance of the Ventura even more obsolete, as the 2+2 included all of the sport and luxury options of the Ventura, plus the addition of bucket seats in the front and rear of the car and similar engines in the GTO. 

1971 saw the Ventura downsized on the new GM X-Body platform, which included the Chevy Nova, Oldsmobile Omega, and Buick Apollo, and was renamed the Ventura II. It was marketed as a sportier car, with packages like the Ventura Sprint, and even a Ventura GTO package for one year only in 1974, after the GTO was removed from production as its own model in 1973. The 1974 Ventura GTO was only available for 1974, and the GTO name would be retired until 2005. The most notable example of a Ventura II is the beige car that Roy Scheider drivers in the infamous Seven-Ups car chase. 

The Ventura name was retired in 1977, as the car was renamed the Pontiac Phoenix. It was still based on the X-Platform, and would be the first front wheel drive Pontiac starting in 1980, when the X-Platform was redesigned for the 1980 model year. That's a tale for another car though. The Phoenix would be retired, along with the X-Body in 1984 for the 1985 model year, leaving behind a rather interesting "middle child" legacy. It wasn't as popular as the introductory offering Catalina, but not as sporty as the higher tier 2+2 and Grand Prix. It was Pontiac's middle child, a funky combination of everything. 

Above: Full Size Photos

Of course I had to include some close ups of this car, as how could I not? Believe it or not, the Pontiac Catalina and its related cars were some of the first cars I fell in love with as a child. I received a book for Christmas when I was around 10 years old, and remember a red 1965 Catalina being one of the cars I would always turn back to. The Pontiacs of the 1960s were some of GM's best designs. I am incredibly honored to have seen this '66 Ventura in person. 

Above: (11/24/24) - 1993 Volvo 940 Estate (David)

While doing my weekly food shopping, I happened upon this gold 940 Estate while walking out. Aside from the hood not being fully closed, this car was pretty stock in appearance. I'll always appreciate seeing an old Volvo being driven around.