Bike Ride 37

David: Bike Ride 37 marks my return back to East Providence to investigate some more street parked gems. With Bike Ride 34 proving to be a success, with a great showing of American classics, I decided to test my luck again and return back to EP to see if the town had any other beautiful cars to offer... And did it ever! Like in Bike Ride 34, this Bike Ride is wonderful showcasing of primarily American cars from the Malaise era, one of my favorite eras of American automotive history. As for our import car readers, there is one surprise in here we hope you'll like! All in all, Bike Ride 37 is another successful ride, capturing some amazing and rarely seen vehicles from an overlooked time in Automotive history. 

Above: 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula Revisited

There's not a better start to a bike ride entry than with a classic American muscle car. This 1971 Pontiac Firebird was originally photographed by Sam last Spring, and I found it back in the same place it was nearly a year later. The car still looks as clean as when he photographed last June. 

1971 marked the second year for the second generation of the Firebird. Updated a year prior in 1970 along with the Chevrolet Camaro, the new generation featured a much more sportier and aerodynamic appearance than the first generation's classic "coke body" styling. This gave the second generation Firebird and Camaro a distinguished appearance compared to most other muscle cars during the 1970s. The Firebird and Camaros seemed to be inspired by earlier 1967 through 1970 Ford Mustang Fastbacks, in which these cars rivaled each other in the Pony car segment of the car market. Coincidentally, in 1971, the Mustang would gain a boxier, elongated appearance, drifting away from the swoopy and aerodynamic style it was known for in the late '60s, and what had inspired the initial Pony car. 

This second generation styling would be used throughout the 1970s. Being based on the General Motors F-Platform, it would become the longest lasting design the platform would use, retiring in 1981. It became one of the most noteworthy muscle cars of the 1970s, as it was one of the few muscle cars that did not evolve into a personal luxury car, a fate that many legends of the muscle car era met around 1973. 

Above: Formula Photos

The Firebird was always a more handsome Camaro. In their early years, both cars featured very attractive designs, but as they aged, the Camaro grew more overtly masculine in appearance, while the Firebird retained its refined, handsome design cues. I've made my distaste for the later second generation Camaros very apparent on this site, but I really think that

Above: 1932 Ford Model B Hi-Boy Hot Rod

This Ford "Hi-Boy" style Model B hot rod was parked behind the Firebird. Given that it was classic car, I decided to photograph it, but in truth, I was more excited by the Firebird than I was the hot rod. Hot rods never really seemed to excite me as other high performance cars do. Even as a kid, this was true. I was more drawn to sports cars and muscle cars, including stock, rally, and pro-stock drag racing cars. To me, these types of high performance and race cars were more appealing because I could see the car that they originated from. They were decked out with flashy stripes, graphics, engine denotations, or the occasional number and sponsor, but the original form of the car was still present. 

While I was able to deduce that this was once a Ford Model B in 1932, I didn't know at first, and I like knowing what I'm looking at! Some car enthusiasts enjoy the fantasy into reality of custom cars, as it gives them the chance to create their own version of a given car as they intended. I respect that because some of the art and creativity that goes into those cars is an automobile I could never conjour up on my own. However, the coolest car for me will always be the car it was at heart. 

Above: 1983 Porsche 944

I must be on a 944 roll, because this makes the second 944 I've found in five days. The last 944 I found was a beautiful white 1985 example, complete with color matched rims and a racing stripe. This 944 is another nice example, but it looks to be more of a driver than the white '85 I found a few days ago. The only revealing detail that this car likely gets driven often is the condition of the rims, as they've faded from their original black color. Otherwise, this car is pretty damn near mint. Its Gemini Grey paint is in great condition for the age of the car, and the red and gold pinstriping brings a nice contrast when looking up close. I'm glad the owner of this Porsche has something cool to tool around town in. 

Above: 944 in the 401

I guess little Rhody has its own 944 enthusiast group. As far as '80s sports cars go, it's probably the one I see the most among others. It's a nice, affordable classic car that's fun to drive, and made by a rather reputable sports car brand. A brand that some might consider to be one of the best sports car brands. I think they make this really cool car that's been in production since, like, the '60s or something, but I wouldn't know. 

Above: 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

In 1976, the Oldsmobile Cutlass was the best selling car in America. Following new 1975 legislation that allowed rectangular headlights to be legal on production vehicles, the Oldsmobile Cutlass was given a mid-cycle facelift in 1976. The Cutlass was already Oldsmobile's best selling model in the 1970s, but the redesign only brought the Cutlass further into the spotlight. 

When the Cutlass was redesigned for its third generation in 1973, it became wider, longer, and less handsome looking like the legendary second generation produced from '68 to '72. It still was a popular seller, but it was considerably quite a different car from its previous generation. The design cues of the '76 and '77 Cutlasses would carry over into the fourth generation in 1978. 

The 1976 redesign leading to the car becoming the best selling car in America certainly makes a lot of sense to me. I think the later third generation Cutlass Supremes are some of the best looking cars GM put out during the '70s, when a lot of their designs weren't the best of looking cars to ever exist during that decade. While this example is not the best cosmetically speaking, you could see where the waterfall front grille and aesthetically pleasing rectangular headlights made this car look better than the previous years. 

In 2024, the Oldsmobile Cutlass has become a legend among classic American cars. Though this '76 Cutlass is not one of the revered 1968 to '72 models, it still holds its place as one of the nicest looking '70s GM cars, and one of the best selling GM cars, of all time. This car is a hidden piece of automotive history in plain sight, and part of a legacy of one of the greatest American car models ever produced. 

Above: Another Cutlass Supeme, but a Different Generation

If there's one car worthy of "Official Car of Spring" title, it's the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. For some reason, I've found so many of them! I'm not sure if they've risen in popularity, or if I'm missing something, because they're now suddenly everywhere. To be more specific, it's the G-Body based fourth generation from 1978 to 1987. 

Here we have a third generation example, a break from the norm, and one I wish I saw more often than I do. '70s cars are a bit of an ask to see on the streets these days, but it's always a treat to see one. This 1976 Cutlass Supreme was certainly more "supreme" looking back in its day, but I'm sure that this car will be restored back to its former glory. Afterall, I did see a G-Body Cutlass in the garage of the house this car was parked in front of, proving yet again that the Cutlass Supreme is the official car of Spring. 

Above: 1984 Cadillac Coupe DeVille 

Last but not least is another malaise era classic. This 1984 Coupe DeVille is a clear survivor, but in much better condition than the Cutlass from above. The paint looked nearly perfect from afar as it did up close, which likely reveals that this car has been cared for throughout its life. Heck, even the plastic bumper fillers between the chrome taillight housings and rear quarter panels are still intact! A typical daily driven Cadillac in New England from this generation will very likely have those missing, or corroding at the very least. 

Given the original condition of this car, other parts of the car showed its age. The white Landau top had started to gray from 40 years of exposure to the outside environment, and some cracked sealed beam lenses were also visible. But for a 40 year old Cadillac DeVille from New England? This old cruiser is a remarkable example, and I hope the owner keeps it in shape!

Above: A Rather Ironic Bumper Sticker

Given the legacy and reputation that a classic mid-twentieth century Cadillac holds, this bumper sticker is a little rather... ironic, wouldn't you say? Where a Prius is fuel efficient, the Cadillac gets terrible gas mileage. Where a Prius is small and compact, the Cadillac is a yacht on wheels. Where the Prius changed the way electric vehicles are approached, the Cadillac continued to use underpowered and obsolete V8 motors throughout its life. Suffice to say, this Cadillac has nearly nothing in common with a Prius. 

Clearly this bumper sticker is poking fun at the rise in electric vehicles as, well, it's a Cadillac from the 1980s. However, the where Prius falls short of being elegant, the Cadillac remains one of the best styled American cars of the late '70s and early '80s.