Bike Ride 31

David: Spring is in the air! With the beautiful weather forecasts within the last few days, I decided to take the opportunity to go for a lengthy four and a half hour bike ride covering Cranston, Providence, and parts of Pawtucket. During the ride I found 11 cars, most of them Volvos. You can expect a Volvo in most entries at this point! Anyways, for all you non-Volvo fans, don't fret! There's plenty of other cars to be seen as well, including some classic BMWs, some '80s GM, and a Toyota.  Some of these cars you may recognize from previous entries, some you may not. Regardless, Bike Ride 31 is certainly one for the books.

Bike Ride 31 also has the distinction the first successfully live-documented bike ride on our Instagram page. I attempted the process previously, but after I got hit by a car during the first process of Bike Ride 25, the ride was cut short, and I was unable to finish the live documentation of that ride. You can check out the results on our Instagram page @oldnewenglandcars. You can also view some bonus cars that aren't included in this entry, only because they were parked in driveways, or I had previously photographed the car recently. 

Above: 1991 Toyota Camry

We start this beautiful day off with a '91 Camry, parked on the side of Elmwood avenue in Providence. While this is a pretty derelict Camry, the way the white paint shines in the late Winter sun gives the car some life. 

Prior to this bike ride, I had seen this car in passing several times. It had been parked across the street from the location I photographed it at for a few months, before moving. At some point before it changed locations, the car suffered from what looked to be a broken tie rod or axel, as the front left wheel was severely bent upward, which is probably why it sat in that spot for so long. Now, the damage appears to have been repaired, and this Camry now sits confidently on the side of the street awaiting its next adventure. I'm really glad to see that someone is caring for these classic Toyotas. 

Above: 1986 Volvo 760 Turbo Estate Revisited

Now here's another classic Volvo, and one we've seen before. If you recall among the vast amount of cars I photographed during last Winter, I found this '86 760 Turbo wagon. In that entry, the car was photographed at Tomasso Swedish Motors, and was riding on a set of aftermarket rims. Now, a year later, the 760 Turbo sits at rest near Fox Point park, back on its factory rims. 

I'll be honest, it is a little disheartening when you see a classic, especially an uncommon one like this 760 Turbo, go downhill in appearance from when you saw it last. The Volvo 700 Series Turbo wagons are regarded as some of most desirable classic Volvos, and recently have begun to shoot up in value, and I know many Volvo enthusiasts would love to have a 700 series Turbo like this car. I can't automatically jump to conclusions about why this car exists in the state it does though. Maybe the owner is saving up for more repairs, or is in the lengthy process of restoring it. Either way, in a year, I hope to see this car improve, and maybe even see it driving one day! Regardless, I'm glad I had the opportunity to photograph this classic in its stock form. 

Above: The First Turbo Wagon!

Yes, the Volvo 740 and 760 Turbo Estates were the first ever turbo wagons, which started a revolution in the car community. Although Saab is credited with putting turbos in mass produced vehicles, Volvo gets the credit for producing the first mass produced turbo wagon with the 760 Turbo in 1984.

The 760 Turbo was introduced in 1984, as an upscaled version of the 760 GlE. With Saab popularizing the use of turbos in their cars, and a few other manufacturers following in their footsteps, it made sense for Volvo to do the same. However, Volvo added a twist. While Saab, Toyota, and Nissan, to name a few, were adding turbos primarily to their sportier models, like the 900, Supra, and Skyline, Volvo decided to add a turbo to their regular passenger vehicles. 

Prior to the 700 series, Volvo experimented with turbos on the 242 GT, which was only available from 1979 to '81. Volvo then placed a turbo in the 240 sedans and wagons, which became known as the 240 GLT Turbo. But, it wouldn't be until the 760 Turbo in 1984 where these would catch on. Since the 760 was available with a six-cylinder engine, as opposed to the inline four B230F in the 240s, the 760 made much more power. With the turbocharged 2.8L V6 engine, the 760 able to make 155 horsepower! For a full sized turbocharged sedan or wagon, these numbers weren't anything to laugh at, as the car could accelerate from 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. Car and Driver, among other automotive magazines, called it one of the best handling and accelerating cars of its time. In 1986, Volvo began producing the 740 with a Turbo as well. Because the 740 was slightly cheaper than the 760, these became slightly more popular than. The 740 Turbo also posted decent numbers as well, with a top speed of 124 MPH and a 0-60 in about 7.7 seconds. 

Volvo would drop the 760 from their lineup in 1990, as they began phasing the 700 series out in favor of the 900 series and 850. The 760 would be available with a turbo up until 1990, and the 740 Turbo would be an option until the end of production in 1992. The 900 series and 850 would also be available with a turbo, following in the footsteps of its predecessor. 

Volvo may not have had sporty cars, but in working with what they had, they proved that regular cars could be sports cars. Advertising for their turbocharged sedans and wagons were unique and creative, with many comparing the acceleration and handling to that of contemporary Porsches and Ferraris, but with much more use and practicality. After you're done reading, I definitely suggest looking a few of these up, as they're regarded as some of the best car advertisements. Ultimately, the 700 series turbo wagons would start a revolution, with what we have now come to know and love as the "Turbo Wagon."

Above: 1990 BMW 325i (E30) Coupe Revisited

Here's another car photographed from last year, which has also changed in appearance since we last saw it. Unlike the Volvo, this BMW has remained in good condition, and although it had some slight modifications last year, has acquired - or lost - some parts. Photographed back in April 2023, this BMW was more... complete, although the reason it's less complete is more of an aesthetic choice instead of the product of negligence. 

This clearly isn't a stock E30. From the lowered stance, to the aftermarket exhaust, to the removed front bumper, the owner is going for the look of a tuner car, and I'd argue has executed the look pretty well! I think a lot of the modifications have been done in good taste, as some tuner cars can be subject to some horrid aftermarket parts and paint jobs. I'm glad to see this car still on the road, and I'm glad to see that the owner is caring for it. 

Above: Respect Your Elders!

"Respect your elders" is a phrase among the BMW community used on classic models, such as the E30, to denote respect among drivers. It can't be understated how important the E30's legacy is to BMW, as well as automotive history as a whole, so this sticker is appropriate. However, this shouldn't be strictly for the E30, as plenty of other historic BMW models have just as much credibility wearing that phrase as much as they do on automotive history. The 2002 is regarded as the pioneer of the modern touring/sports sedan, and the E12 and E28 5-Series carried the torch, becoming some of the first modern sports sedans. Another classic, the E24 or the first 6-Series, was their first major grand tourer car, which you'll get to read about later! Suffice to say, BMW's legacy and impact on car design, history, and culture isn't minor, and there's a reason why they've remained one of the most respected automotive brands of all time. 

Above: 1989 Ford Ranger

Changing gears, no pun intended, we have an old New England truck! This old Ranger used to be located right down the road from my house in Cranston, and I had every intention of photographing it, but then it disappeared. A little disappointed, I inevitably moved on, but still wished I got the chance to photograph it every time I passed the location it always used to be parked at. Fortunately, a few months later, it's turned up again! Although I found it in Providence, I recognized the rusty tailgate and the cream paint from a mile away. Afterall, these first generation Rangers aren't too common. 

This 1989 Ranger represents the first year of the facelifted first generation models, produced from 1983 to 1992. For the 1989 model year, the Ranger would receive a cosmetic update to the front fascia, which included a complete redesign of the headlights, grille, hood, and fenders. Aside from the reworked front end, the Ranger would be essentially the same from the cab to the bed. Mechanically, it remained the same as well.

Aesthetically, the Ranger was looking a bit dated for 1989 standards, and with the planned arrival of the F-150 update in 1992 and the new Explorer, which would replace the Bronco II in 1991, it made sense to Ford to update and unify their lineup in preparation for these new releases. The first generation would be produced until 1992, and would be succeeded by the second generation in 1993, which would feature an advanced design, sharing no body panels with its predecessor. 

Above: 1983 Chevy K-10 Scottsdale Revisited

We next arrive at another old New England truck and another that we've seen before in an older bike ride from 2022. The bike ride in question is bike ride 17, and if you recall, I spotted this K-10 "Squarebody" in a different location. About two years later, the truck still looks the same, complete with its bright rally red paint and custom front grille. However, during that time, it gained a canvas bed topper. 

For location references, I photographed this truck off of Wickenden street in 2022, and for this Bike Ride, I photographed it in a vacant lot close to that original location. Admittedly, I'd seen this K-10 parked here for some time, but never got around to photographing it until now, as I was hoping I could get a better camera angle on the rear end. I don't like photographing vehicles parked up against walls because it gives me limited access to whichever end of the vehicle is closest to said wall. In this case, and as you'll see with a few other cars later on, I couldn't get the best angle of this Chevy from the rear. I do apologize, but unfortunately this was the best I could do given what I was working with. If this truck ever moves again, I'll be sure to get better photos! 

Above: Squarebody Synopsis

A few weeks ago, I spotted a different Chevy Scottsdale pickup from 1981. In that entry, I explained the complexity of Chevy Squarebody trim levels, so if you need any clarification regarding the various trim levels, I've given you the cliff notes guide to Squarebodys in that entry, so keep it handy!

This is a Scottsdale, one of the mid-level Chevy trucks, but more notably, a K-10. We don't photograph K-10s that much, as most of them were outsold by their two wheel drive C-10 counterparts. The K-10 was the 4 wheel drive version of the C/K-Series, and is easily distinguished by its higher stance in comparison to the C-10. Most K-10s will feature larger tires, like this example.

This K-10 Scottsdale is suspected to be from the 1983 to 1984 model years. With the aftermarket grille creating an obstacle in my identification of this truck's year, the silver trim below the red paint was the tell-tale sign. Trucks between those years had that trim, while 1985 to 1987 trucks did not. I'm banking on this truck being a 1983 model, as it has the color matching roof. Most 1983 trucks appear to have this, while it doesn't appear to be that common for trucks from '84. ONEC does not use VinCheck or VinWiki.

Above: 1986 BMW 635CSI (E24)

The BMW E24 is one of the most iconic BMWs to come out of their 1980s lineup. It was the first of the 6-Series, and their first major grand tourer car, following where its predecessor, the E9, left off in 1975. 

Introduced in 1976, the E24 was an improvement upon the E9. For one, the E24 had a B-Pillar, for better structure and safety. The new E24 was a sleek machine, and a quick one too. Equipped with BMW's inline six M30 engine, the 6-Series could achieve 182 HP, which gave a lot of turbocharged cars a run for their money. The high performance M6 model was able to achieve 256 HP from a tuned version of the same engine. 

The E24's production would conclude in 1988, after a twelve year run of motorsport excellence. To name a few awards, the E24 won three Group A titles, three SPA racing championships, two Nürburgring wins, and three Monza circuit wins.  However, there was no planned successor for the E24. In fact, it would be 16 years before the world saw another 6-Series, with the series returning as the E63 in 2003. 

The E24 is my favorite of the 1980s BMW lineup. I love its angled grille and elegant body lines. If I could get my hands on one of these and drive it, I absolutely would, especially an M6 model, although those are far beyond my college student budget. I know I love my Saabs and Volvos, but hot damn did BMW know how to design a car back in the '70s and '80s.

Above: 1995 Volvo 850 Estate

It's pretty difficult to follow up a 635CSI, so here we have a beat Volvo 850! Compared to most Volvo 850s we photograph, I'd say this is the most derelict example we've photographed to date. This 850 has faded paint, missing wheel covers, and the silver paint on its badging has lost its shine. But, as we know, you can't kill an old Volvo, so this car will probably continue to loyally serve its owner, despite its aged appearance. These are all signs of a life well spent on the road, and I can only imagine the mileage on this old wagon!

This Volvo appears to have started its life in the United States up north in Merrimack, New Hampshire, as per the dealer sticker below the "Volvo" badge. The dealer appears to specialize in Oldsmobiles and Volvos, which is a seemingly unusual duo of cars to sell together. Despite Oldsmobile leaving us in 2004 (may they rest in peace), Merrimack Street Volvo still exists, but from my research, is only selling Volvos now. 

Above: 1983 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 

The 1983 Cadillac DeVille is one of the final cars of the fifth generation, which would conclude a year later in 1984. The fifth generation is arguably the last of the classic DeVilles, complete with an oversized body, elegant fins, and whole lotta chrome. The following generation that would debut in '85 was shorter and made to look more like its contemporaries, such as the new K-Platform based Chrysler New Yorker. That makes this 1983 DeVille one of the last gasps of classic American luxury for the DeVille series. Of course, we all know this body style would be transferred over to the Fleetwood Brougham models, which would be produced until 1992. But the DeVille was a classic name, like Coca Cola. When people heard the name "Cadillac DeVille," they immediately pictured a car similar to what you see here. Thus, despite having a design outdated by the mid 1980s, the DeVille pressed on until '84, staying true to form in all its classiness.

Introduced in 1977 to coincide with Cadillac's 75th anniversary, the new DeVille series was "downsized" despite being one of the largest cars of its time. It was nine inches shorter and four inches narrower than the previous 1971 to '76 fourth generation, but despite this, it had a larger trunk and headspace than its predecessor. 1983 wasn't that remarkable of a year for the DeVille, but a year prior, the DeVille got a slightly more efficient 4.1 liter V8, known as the HT series, which included digital fuel injection, which will be discussed in more detail below. 

Above: Entering the Automotive Digital Age 

In the early 1980s, computers were all the hype. As computer-based and digital technology was advancing greatly since the 1970s, the mass culture reflected these trends to a pretty large extent. In film, computers and robots were a common component to plotlines, like in Star Wars and the Terminator series. Video games began to become advanced and more accessible as well, opening up a completely new subculture and past time for millions to enjoy. Nintendo released their legendary NES console and the first ever handheld gaming device, the Gameboy. Sega also released Sega Genesis during this time as well. The point being, the 1980s saw a rapid growth of digital technology, and the world really took hold of it during its rise. Anyways, I've digressed enough, let's get back to cars. 

Of course, this was reflected in cars as well. Digital displays with green LCD lighting was commonly seen in most 1980s cars. Some cars were called the "Laser" or featured striking laser inspired decals in special options packages. Technology speaking, vehicle ECUs (Electronically Controlled Units) became more advanced, allowing for better engine management, reliability and safety. 

In the case of this DeVille, this car is equipped with the HT-4100 Digital fuel injected engine. The engine mentioned earlier, the 4.1L V8, was the engine that offered this. With HT standing for High Tech (Yes, a very '80s term), the engine notably was the first to use cylinder deactivation to improve fuel economy. Despite its advances, the HT-series engines were prone to failure, especially with the cylinder deactivation feature. Ironically, arguably Cadillac's worst engine, the Northstar V8, would be designed to succeed the HT-series engines. 

Above: 1992 Volvo 240: The Sun Never Sets on the 240's Empire

How many 240s can I photograph? Not enough apparently, and this isn't even the final 240 in this entry! Although, I don't think you can really blame me for this one. I think the car speaks for itself, when I say that this is far from a clean example. We'll discuss this below though, so stay tuned. 

In all honesty though, the 240 is just everywhere in Rhode Island. I already made the argument that Providence is another US capital for 240 owners, and I think ONEC serves as great evidence to support it. For the sake of this entry, I decided to count up the number of 240s I'd photographed over the years, and this makes the 59th 240 I've photographed on ONEC. With over 2 million units produced between 1974 and 1993, I'm sure you can expect more to come over the next years of car spotting. The sun truly never sets on the 240's empire.

Above: The Most Beat Up 240 on ONEC to Date?

Last summer, I cited a 1989 240 Wagon as the most beat up 240 I've ever photographed or seen. Today, this 1992 240 sedan challenges that car, and might even surpass it. With a Christmas wreath for a grille and peace of wood for a bumper, along with a series of dents and dings, this 240 has seen better days, but is still on the road despite looking like it drove out of a Mad Max film. 

Above: 1992 Volvo 240 Estate Revisited

Ok, I promise, this is the final 240 and Volvo for this bike ride entry! To wrap up the 240 daily double, we return to a familiar face we saw around the same time last year. This 1992 240 was spotted in Downtown Providence at night, providing for a nice aesthetic. I thought I'd revisit the car during the daylight so you could get a better look at the car's details.

A year later, not much has changed. Although, unfortunately, I noticed a small dent on the rear driver's side door. I noticed this when I was uploading the photos to the blog, and you can see it in the close-up of the rear wheel. While it's barely noticeable, hopefully that gets fixed soon. Otherwise, I hope to see this 240 around town in future ventures!