Monday, May 12, 2014

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

1956 GMC TDH-5106, Eastern Parkway and Franklin Avenue

Spotted at the West Indian Day Parade this past Labor Day, and apparently part of the MTA's collection because, if I've done my research properly, this was the first New York City bus to have air conditioning. I like the exhaust fans; they remind me of the Eagle 5 from Spaceballs.

1973 Dodge Dart, Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue

Ford Falcon Club Wagon, North 12th Street and Bedford Avenue

There's something great about a small forward control van. The Brits had the Austin J4, the Germans the VW Kombi, and even the Russians had their little tadpole van. We had this.

1954 Lincoln Capri, Commercial Street and West Street

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Aston Martin Rapide, 18th Street and Irving Place

Prettiest four-door car being made today? 
Yes. Unquestionably yes.

Monday, July 29, 2013

1965 Ford Thunderbird, Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Place

  
Pictured in the background is the south facade of the Montauk Club, in my opinion the most remarkable building in Park Slope.

1962 Cadillac Fleetwood, Second Street and Fourth Avenue

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Rolls Royce Wraith, 47th Street and Park Avenue

The main thing I love about this car (and let me be clear, I'm conflicted), is the rear hatch. The fact that it evokes the old Aston Martin shooting brake, the E-Type coupe and the MGB GT is very cool indeed; a nod to a particularly eccentric streak in British car design. The C-Pillars also remind me of the Jag XJS, another favorite.   

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Cadillac Series 75, Slack Street and Penny Street

As always, exceptions to my regional remit can occur in remarkable circumstances. This hearse or possibly ambulance was recently discovered in the woods very near my house in Vermont. The dog is also named Bentley.

UPDATE: One of my neighbors has sent me an account of the car's story from one of its drivers. I can make no assurances as to its accuracy, but it's just too good not to include here verbatim. Please note that the Neil referenced in this tale is Neil Young.

"That car is the one Neil and I drove from Needles, California to Nova Scotia when we were writing Powderfinger. Was an awful winter. We dumped the heap somewhere in New England and thumbed the rest of the journey. Some chick who smoked dope and had nice legs picked us up and drove us to New Brunswick. She was from southern Iowa as I remember. She smelled of butter, sweet corn and
sensimilla. I smelled of woodsmoke and wine. Neil ditched me in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. I headed on to Newfoundland where I eventually  helped E.A.Proulx write The Shipping News."

Sunday, May 5, 2013

1964 Studebaker Avanti, Caton Avenue and Rugby Road


The last gasp of Studebaker, a great defunct Indiana car manufacturer along with Deusenberg and Auburn. It was a remarkable car in several ways, but ultimately the final act for a venerable firm. The preceding Champion and Starliner models became enduring classics, to name but two, and Ray Loewy was again called upon to knock together this strange fiberglass car to wow the public at the 1962 New York Motor Show. Sadly, labor strikes, price wars between GM and Ford and high production costs ultimately meant that out of the planned production run of over 20,000 cars, only 4,600 made it out of the factory, with just 809 produced in this, its final year. The company itself limped on for another couple of years, then closed its doors.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

AEC Regent V, Court Street and State Street


Like many people with only a passing familiarity with British buses, I immediately assumed this guards red example was an old London Routemaster. However, this is not the case, as perhaps a cursory glance at the radiator would have told me. It was made sometime between 1954 and 1969 by the Associated Equipment Company, essentially a British-Leyland owned factory for British Transport. Despite what the imaginary route on the destination blind and the 007 bus number might make one think, this bus would only have been sold to operators outside London itself.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Bentley Mulsanne, 48th Street and Madison Avenue

 
The new Mulsanne in the flesh, and good lord is there a hell of a lot of it. Looks quite good in person, but the vestigial auxiliary lamps, creased wings and high beltline won't age well, I don't think. In styling terms, all Bentley have done is stimulate the cottage industry of Chrysler 300 imitators. I'm sure none of that really matters much when you settle in, feel the aristocratic Bentleyish whomp of the doors, and surge away. I had this sensation in a Turbo RT once and it's terribly nice.

Fiat 500, Henry Street and Kane Street



 
This should count as an alternative fuel vehicle since it can be wound up with a giant key.

1964 Ford Galaxie, Smith Street and Baltic Street


Slightly donked out with those wheels, but otherwise largely unmolested.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

BAE Systems M1083 Medium Tactical Vehicle, Grand Army Plaza

Full to the scuppers with bottled water and enroute to victims of the hurricane. Part of a convoy of six others.

Series II Land Rover, Fort Greene Place and St Felix Street


I know I tend to be a bit biased and feature Land Rovers every now and again, but a long wheelbase series II with an axe, hi-lift,  and snorkel would be interesting enough to merit inclusion without taking into account that this particular example appears to be an ex-Austrian fire rescue vehicle. It also, weirdly, has both Alaskan and New York plates.