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

33. Brook Avenue at 149th Street

Brook Avenue at 149th Street
Brook Avenue at 149th Street | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City (Ruben Alvez)

A scene that says a lot about the reliability of the cars of the time. Indeed, everywhere you turned in NYC, you were likely to come across a vehicle with the hood up. The difference with our era is that the driver could, in most cases, make repairs himself in a few minutes and get back on the road.

34. Lexington Avenue, 1974

Lexington Avenue, 1974
Lexington Avenue, 1974 | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City (Daniel Sorine)

This 1973 Dodge Coronet seems to be slowing losing out to the forces of winter – though not the driver, who gives a hearty thumbs-up! Reading the comments on this picture reveals that the winter of 1974 was particularly difficult for New Yorkers. A great picture.

35. Garbage strike, 1968

Garbage strike, 1968
Garbage strike, 1968 | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City

The 1958 Chevrolet seen in the foreground looks almost as if it was one more victim of the disorder caused by the garbage strike of 1968. The city had quickly become a giant garbage can. And yet, the strike lasted only nine days...

36. Rivington Street, in 1970

Rivington Street, in 1970
Rivington Street, in 1970 | Photo: Facebook / Dirty Old 1970's New York City (Allan Silverman)

Today, in classic car gatherings, classics abound. On city streets at the time, however, future classics were not always that easy to spot. We wonder, did the owner of that 1969 Dodge Charger R/T know how valuable his vehicle would become in the decades to come? Probably not.

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