1976 Buick Skyhawk

I always liked the Chevy Monza/Pontiac Sunbird/Buick Skyhawk/Oldsmobile Starfire of this era, though I think the execution is somehow more awkward/ugly in the Skyhawk. Which makes it all the more interesting. Why is it less satisfying? It is something about the headlights, and the way they placed the turn indicators directly beneath. Sort of like buck teeth. Or maybe it's the grille. It looks cheap, ugly. A Buick should have something more elegant.

That broad aluminum B-pillar is pretty good though. And the overall outline and fastback is great, belying it's economy car nature. No one would mistake this car for a Vega, though that is basically what it is. With a V6 it was probably pretty quick, and undoubtedly more reliable.

1987 Toyota Celica GT

Once in a while a manufacturer hits a peak in their design and engineering. This is what I think happened with Toyota and the Celica. Here was a not-too-expensive, reliable, attractive, sporty car that sold well. Then the market changed, or management decided they wanted to go after the high end, or ... something. Regardless, this car is an example of the late peak period of the Celica -- a great smooth shape that still managed to be a good car as well.

1986 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

1982 Pontiac J2000

1983 Chevrolet Chevette Scooter

Many years ago I had the misfortune to drive something similar to this as a service loaner for way too long. It looks a lot like this car.

1968 Jaguar E-Type

This ghost Jag appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as quickly. I saw it one afternoon, took these few shots with my phone, and it was gone an hour or two later.

Wheels and tires look brand new. Orange sticker says "IMPORTANT: TO BE REMOVED ONLY BY FINAL CONSUMER"

1982 Honda Civic Hatchback

This seems to be a project car. It has been sitting in this alley for at least two summers. There was a sibling, an older Civic "Wag-O-Van" in the garage, which seems to have departed. Love the patina, the moss, but most of all the honesty of the car. No pretensions, just honest, straightforward transportation. Many had problems with Civics of this generation, but this one seems in excellent shape.

UPDATE Mar 30/2015: Spoke with the owner and discovered I had the year wrong.