Street Spotted | 20th Century Luxury Car Remains


Also known as Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge, Saturday Night Fever’s territory is decidedly old Brooklyn, at least not the new breed of loft parties, the DIY trance music scene, and the HBO sitcom Brooklyn. , a 19th-century coastal resort town transformed into a working-class suburb that retains its former wealth and gritty subculture in the 21st century. And at the heart of this remote neighborhood is a public parking lot that tells part of the neighborhood’s story through cars.

1993 Volvo 240

The first story this garage tells is one of successful urban development. The metro he operates on a single line, but with the possibility of numerous inter-line connections and a fully developed bus route, even those with a car are obliged to drive traffic in the autonomous zone. there is no.

It’s fair to say that half the cars in this lot are stagnant, as evidenced by the thick coat of dirt found on this 1993 Volvo 240 sedan. Many other cars have suffered a similarly neglected fate in this garage, but just as many have been hidden under car covers and remain a mystery to even the most regular visitors.

1st Generation Acura Legend

First generation Acura Legend.

The unwashed first-generation Acura Legend may not conjure up images of wealth and affluence, but the Legend wasn’t an economical car back then. In fact, the Legend he first sold in 1985 with a suggested retail price of around $20,000 (in 2023 money he’s $55,000). This version, with its sideswiped rear quarter panel and faded plastic, isn’t in Radwood’s prettier form, but it does show a history of bigger spending in the 20th century. second-hand buyers.

Either way, even inside the Acura itself, it’s nice to see an original example of the sloping-roof, hatchback-trunk sedan style that’s become increasingly popular these days.

pontiac firebird trans am

Third generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

It may not have been the most luxurious car of its time, but the third-generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am survived new. Strangled by necessary emissions regulations and developed with mostly reverse-wheel drive, his F-body iteration of the Firebird wasn’t the tire-killing, noisy Burt Reynolds-powered machine it was before, though , represented the changing times in America. logic.

Offered in a variety of V6 and V8 powertrains, along with a claimed 34 mpg 4-cylinder version, the boxy, angular styling and fuel-sucking mechanics are decidedly 1980s, with the front and rear Both Trans-Am models are curvilinear. It has a smoother design approach and a more powerful engine. Still, GM claimed this model was the most aerodynamic they made at the time. I would like to imagine that the owner of this car took some comfort in that.

1984 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

1984 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur.

Did I mention that this garage has a story? The more you drive into the garage, the more luxury you get. This 1984 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur is a prime example of the wealth that once existed on the outskirts of Bay Ridge. We don’t know the details of the owner of this Silver Spur, but deciphering the VIN shows that this unit was sold in base trim of his 6.8L V8. A General Motors Turbo Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission powers the rear wheels.

What’s more, this Rolls has escaped a shabby fate thanks to a seemingly cranky owner and a current yellow New York car inspection sticker. The Silver Spur was around $100,000 new, and at current prices he sold for $281,000 considering inflation. However, if you’re looking for aging luxury on a modern budget, Bring a Trailer data shows that buying his Silver Spur from the 1980s will only set you back about $25,000. God speed.

1990s Bentley Azure R

First generation Bentley Azure.

Last but not least, no proper luxury show would be complete without a Bentley. With no license plate and dust-covered VIN, it’s nearly impossible to determine the exact year of this first-generation Bentley He Azur. For this reason, I expect this particular model to remain between his 1996 and his 1999 initial production runs.

Either way, Azure follows the British recipe for luxury laid out by models like the Silver Spur that preceded it. A large 6.75-liter turbocharged V8 is dropped into an even larger chassis body, complete with the most cushioned suspension available. Reviews at the time said it was a ridiculously fast car for its 5754-pound curb weight and poor aerodynamic geometry. Nearby New Jersey he was great for setting up a big highway number on the turnpike and caught a Continental Airlines flight on the way. newark.

2000 mazda miata

2000 Mazda Miata.

As a bonus feature, this 2000 Mazda Miata takes us into the 21st century. This looks to be a treat for some track days as well. As it should be.


Collaborator
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, New York-based Emmett White is passionate about everything: cars, bikes, planes, and motorcycles.


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