Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

40 Images of New York and its Cars in the 1960s and 70s

Obtain the best financial rate for your car loan at Automobile En DirectTecnic
Daniel Rufiange
The people, the streets... and the cars of a now-distant era

25. 149th Street, in the mid-1970s

149th Street, in the mid-1970s
149th Street, in the mid-1970s | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City (Patrick Cullinan)

A 1968 Pontiac Catalina in the foreground reminds us that four-door cars were popular at the time as well. In fact, take a look at the other vehicles in this photo and you'll see that the majority of them have four doors.

26. 7th Street, 1981

7th Street, 1981
7th Street, 1981 | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City (Sven Kierst)

There is something magical about this picture that transports us directly to 1981. The 1967 Pontiac showing its tail end had already been in service for about 15 years at the time, and didn't look like it would last much longer. On the right, of course, an NYC punk – another classic. That's Nick Marden of the band The Stimulators.

27. Intersection of Mulberry and Broome Streets, 1964

Intersection of Mulberry and Broome Streets, 1964
Intersection of Mulberry and Broome Streets, 1964 | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City

There are some beautiful cars shown in this photo, starting with the 1959 Pontiac stopped next to the 1964 Chevrolet in the front.

28. Intersection of 131st Street and Broadway, 1972

Intersection of 131st Street and Broadway, 1972
Intersection of 131st Street and Broadway, 1972 | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City (Jurgen Becker)

We have here another damaged and likely abandoned car. The model is an Austin Healey Sprite... or an MG Midget; the fate of both were intimately linked in history.

Daniel Rufiange
Daniel Rufiange
Automotive expert
  • Over 17 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 75 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 250 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists