Late Summer Cars '24

As the warm and sunny season of New England winds down, and we begin to enter into the season of fall, here is a glimpse of the classics enjoying the last of the beautiful days of summer. 

Above: (8/10/24) - 1973 Volkswagen Beetle Revisited (David)

Unsuspectingly, a revisit of a forgotten classic starts our late Summer series off for 2024. You may have to dig back through the collection of 2022 South County Bike Path entries to find this one, but once you do, it becomes unmistakable that the old yellow Volkswagen Bug from 2022 is the same one I found on this warm summer day in 2024. I'll explain why below...

See SC Bike Path Ride 4 for the original entry.

Above: A Bug's Life

The question of the day is how I determined that this was the same Beetle from the South County Bike Path ride entry from 2022. Comparing the pictures of the Beetle in that entry versus the Beetle presented here, a few subtle differences can be distinguished. For one, the Beetle from 2022 seems to have a black plastic trim piece covering the rear grille slots, as well as various bumper stickers dotted along the windows. Surely, these are two different Beetles that just happen to have similar rusty fenders, right? 

Well, look even closer... closer... are you zoomed in enough? Great! Notice the black windshield visor and rust patterns of that front driver's side fender. With those pieces of evidence presented, I think the jury rests its case that these two yellow Beetles are the same car. The likely reason is probably a change of ownership between 2022 and 2024, and the current owner is most likely tidying the car up as best they can to bring it back to its former glory. While the rusty fender is definitely a noteworthy quirk of this Beetle's appearance, it would be nice to this car one day shine in all of its yellow beauty. 

Above: (8/10/24) - 1993 Volvo 240 Classic (David)

Spotted in front of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, one of the historic concert stages in Providence, Rhode Island, this Volvo 240 has been a long time coming on ONEC. I had first known about this 240's existence during the ownership of my own 240 last summer, when I saw this exact car pulled over on the side of I-95 by the RI State Police. I can't imagine that a 240 got pulled over for speeding, so I can only wonder what the cause was. 

About a month or so later, I happened upon the same 240 in the West End of Providence during Bike Ride 28, when I noticed it in the driveway near one of the cars I was photographing. I never saw it there again, despite several trips back to the West End to try and find the 240 again. Finally, about a year later, I found it. In all honesty, I appreciate the setting I found this car in a lot more than I would in the neighborhoods of the West End... as the sucker for antique urban architecture that I am. 

Above: (8/10/24) - 1987 Chevrolet El Camino (David)

I suppose it would be helpful to note that this and the two previous vehicles were all spotted on a bike ride. When mentioning a bike ride, usually a ride around Providence or Cranston comes to mind, this time, I traveled along the East Bay bike path over to Bristol, where the path terminates and also where I found this El Camino. 

Parked along the Independence Park wharf, what seemingly was an ordinary El Camino was transformed into a beautiful turquoise machine, as the sun shine revealed the truck's true color, freeing it from the shadows of the Ford Flex next to it. In its final form the vehicle presented in the hot sun transcended itself, becoming a piece of the scenery coexisting with nature.

Above: The El Camino at the Independence Park Wharf

Above: (8/17/24) - 1988 Chevrolet G-20 Van (David)

This beat up Chevy Van was spotted while on another bike ride, this time on the Coventry Greenway Bike Trail. While it looks relatively good from a far, a closer look reveals some less than flattering details. Note the rot around the wheel arches, as well as the bashed in rear bumper, which may or may not be a result of backing into that telephone pole! 

Above: (8/19/24) - 1948 Dodge D-24 Custom (David)

No politics on this site! While this '48 Dodge may belong to a local politician, we're going to stick to the automotive side of the discussion for this entry. Now since that subject has been addressed, let's move onto this awesome post-war classic!

Like many post war models, the Dodge D-series sedans and coupes were based on designs that had existed before the start of the war. The Dodge D-24 began its life as the D-11 in 1939. It was sold among a plethora of different body styles, wheel bases, and trim levels. For the sake of this entry, we'll stick to the core options, which included a sedan or coupe, sold as the base level "Deluxe" or top level "Special."

When the United States entered World War II in 1941, and the production of passenger vehicles was halted for production of war vehicles, the Dodge D-Series sedans remained in production, but were sold under contract to the US Army as military personnel vehicles. When the war ended in 1945, the production of regular passenger vehicles resumed in 1946, and the Dodge Deluxe and Special models received some changes to the lineup. The top trim level Special was replaced by the Custom, and the Deluxe remained in the bottom slot. Most changes resided in its appearance, with a slightly updated appearance, which would come to resemble most of the early '50s MOPAR products that would soon follow in the near future. 

Above: Details on the Dodge

This was a great find, regardless if it is a real Taxi or not. A post-war vehicle is something Sam or I don't come across often, so seeing one in the wild like this Dodge Custom is always a treat. It would be important to mention that these "fastback" post-war sedans are personally some of our favorite automotive design styles of all time. 

This Dodge looks to have been restored, or is simply an exceptional survivor. The paint shows no signs of fading or corrosion, although that could be difficult to tell from the rainy conditions this car was photographed in. The chrome trim and accessories were also in great condition. The white wall tires and hub caps were the only parts of the car that seemed to have the most wear, which makes sense considering their position relative to the road. Regardless, this '48 Dodge is a gorgeous example of a post-war American car, with exceptional style.

Above: (8/22/24) - 1981 Jeep Wagoneer Quadra-Trac (David)

Here's a vehicle I wish I saw more often than I do. The Jeep Wagoneer from the AMC era is probably one of my personal favorite American car designs from the 1980s, or 1960s if we're getting technical. I'll write more on the history of the Wagoneer down below. Despite being one of the last AMC Jeep models, and one of the more popular utility vehicles from the mid to late twentieth century, the Wagoneer is not as notorious as I wished it would be. 

Like many other '80s classics, I used to see these fairly often when I was younger, but as time moved forward, I began to see these Wagoneers less and less. Although, this sunny morning gave me a break from its absence. This 1981 Wagoneer Quadra-Trac is probably one of the nicer examples I've seen. Then again, the Wagoneers that I do see (when I do) are usually in really good condition. I don't think I've ever seen such a derelict one. 

This Wagoneer happens to be the top-of-the-line Quadra-Trac model, meaning it has a full-time four wheel drive (4wd) transfer case. The Quadra-Trac transfer case was an option introduced in 1973 to give consumers the option to have a full-time 4wd system, removing the extra steps of locking the hubs and shifting into all wheel drive with a manual transfer case. The Quadra-Trac system would be continuously developed into the Active Drive system now used on all 4wd Jeep vehicles today. 

Above: The First Modern SUV

Above, I mentioned that the Wagoneer was one of my favorite American car designs from the 1980s. Then I quickly added a counter point, mentioning that the Wagoneer's design wasn't exactly from the '80s. Yes, the original Jeep Wagoneers entered production all the way back in 1962! Keep in mind that production would end in 1991, following Chrysler's take over of the Jeep marque in 1987. So for almost 30 years with minimal cosmetic changes, the Jeep Wagoneer remained the only consistent four wheel drive family utility vehicle on the US automotive market. This leads us to the legacy of the Jeep Wagoneer. 

Despite appearing like a family vehicle with station wagon dimensions, the Wagoneer helped pioneer the modern SUV. Jeep essentially laid out the blueprint for what would become the new popular body style for American consumers in the early 2000s to the present day. The Wagoneer featured a comfortable, well accentuated interior, with a rugged exterior, capable of off-road terrain and the capacity for decent cargo loads if needed. These characteristics would also set the Wagoneer apart from other 4wd vehicles (including trucks) during its production run. 

The Wagoneer had no competition from import or domestic vehicles with its introduction in 1962. The innovative and unique vehicle was a hit among US buyers, as it provided them with a work vehicle, while simultaneously a luxury family vehicle. It wouldn't be until the British Range Rover, which debuted in the US in 1970, where the Wagoneer would have actual competition. Otherwise, it was in a market of its own. 

With the AMC takeover of the Jeep marque in 1970, the Wagoneer was finally able to push higher limits, as AMC had the funds to upgrade and tailor the model line to further meet the tastes of US car buyers. With modern cosmetic changes, better ride quality, and an all new two-door version named the Cherokee, the Wagoneer would be flying higher than ever before in the 1970s. The Quadra-Trac full-time 4wd system debuted in 1972, giving drivers a user friendly 4wd transfer case, instead of manually locking hubs and shifting. 

In 1980, AMC introduced the Eagle, which could be thought of a vehicle even closer to the modern SUV than the Wagoneer. Where the Eagle featured a more traditional passenger car layout, the Wagoneer continued to feature its rugged yet handsome truck-like styling. The Wagoneer. Production began to wind down for the Wagoneer, as AMC planned to phase out the classic Wagoneers with the all new XJ-platform based Cherokee and Wagoneers. However, much like in the case of the Volvo 240 and 740 models, the classic Wagoneers were still selling high numbers, so it made sense for AMC to continue to keep the model in its lineup. 

In 1987, AMC would be bought out by Chrysler, and the Jeep name would remain the only piece of the company that would continue to be sold as a product, despite AMC parts and engines continuing to be used in production. Chrysler continued to market the Wagoneer as the Grand Wagoneer until 1991, leaving the AMC design largely unchanged, despite adding a few quality of life changes on their own. 

When the Wagoneer ended production in 1991, it had become the longest running American production vehicle on a single platform, totaling 29 years of production, which would leave a lasting impression on the American automotive industry still seen to this day. The legacy of the Wagoneer cannot be understated. Without it, the modern SUV could not exist in the form that does today, for better or for worse. It opened a new market of vehicle unconsidered yet convenient for its time and even today. For working class families, in a time where economic security may seem like a distant concept, perhaps a vehicle for work and also for home is a smart choice, which could only exist as we know it today primarily by the Jeep Wagoneer. 

Above: (8/24/24) - 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa (David)

Here's something you don't typically see in a Target parking lot! This beautiful 911 Carrera was photographed while out school shopping as the start of college move ins and classes was right around the corner. As I was walking out of the store, this 911 was quite hard to miss. I made no hesitation in properly photographing this gorgeous and slightly uncommon German classic. While we do see classic 911s from time to time, it's not often that one of them is a Carrera!

Above: What Does Carrera Mean?

Carrera. What an elegant name for a car. You've seen it, you've heard it, but what exactly does it mean? The "Carrera" name is featured on the Porsche 911, and has been since 1973. The 911 Carrera arguably one of the most popular Porsche and sports car models of all time. 

Despite being a German car, the name is derived from the Spanish word Carrera, which translates to "race" in English. The Porsche usage of the name actually refers to the Carrera Panamericana endurance race, which was a border-to-border race that took place on the Mexican portion of the Pan-American highway from 1950 to 1954. Porsche saw great success during these races, as drivers used the 550 Spyder model to compete. Although the race predates the 911's production by a decade, the 911 pays great homage to the name, being one of the fastest and best produced sports cars of all time. 

Above: (8/30/24) - 1992 Volvo 240 Estate: Another 240 in the West End (David)

Nope, this isn't a sense of déjà vu you're getting, this is another late model 240 wagon in the West End of Providence, in almost the same place as the beat up example from Mid Summer '24. While this 240 does not look as nearly beat as the former, do not be tricked by this Volvo's shiny sky blue paint into believing that it isn't! A quick glance inside showed that the entire interior, minus the driver's seat and dashboard, were missing! 

I'm assuming that this will be restored at some point, maybe with some parts from the more beat up 240, assuming that both of these were owned by the same person.