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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island has more than its fair share of automobiles, whether in traffic, finding parking spots, or maybe an auto show.
From back in the day when cars from the 1930′s were filling our streets to the current traffic or car shows that spark the interest of all.
Few people are aware that the land speed record was broken on Staten Island 120 years ago on Memorial Day, May 31, 1902, by the Baker Electric Torpedo. In a race along what is now Hylan Boulevard in Grant City, the two-passenger vehicle unofficially set a new record, but two spectators were killed when it went out of control.
Enjoy the collection of images from Staten Island roads and shows spanning from 1930 to the present.
Bystanders examine the Baker Electric Torpedo, shortly before its fateful run on what is now Hylan Boulevard on Memorial Day, May 31, 1902. This photo appears to have been taken at about noon, and the front of the car appears to be facing to the west. The 2-passenger vehicle unofficially set a new land speed record, but two spectators were killed when it went out of control. (Staten Island Historical Society)
Pioneering Staten Island photographer Alice Austen clambered atop a fence to photograph automobile speed trials on South Side Boulevard ( now Hylan Boulevard) on Memorial Day, May 31, 1902. The event saw a new world land speed record established, but a spectator was killed when the speeding car went out of control near the end of its run. (Collection of the Staten Island Historical Society)
Car show specials. Joe Misuraca looks over two of his prize antique cars, a 1916 Buick, left, and a 1920 Packard, which was held in 1981 at the First Annual Antique Car Show and Flea Market. The show was held at Wagner College’s Fischer Field on Grymes Hill. (Staten Island Advance)
A vintage St. Vincent’s Hospital Ambulance was crashed into late 1930Õs on 996 Castleton Avenue. (Staten Island Advance)
New Dorp in 1948, cars are parked up South Railroad Avenue at Rose Avenue. (Staten Island Advance)
Antique car show. Hundreds of classic automobiles, including Paul Arena’s 1948 Dodge, was on display at the College of Staten Island’s Sunnyside campus during the 1984 antique car show co-sponsored by the Lions Club of Central Staten Island and the Staten Island Region. (Staten Island Advance)
Ross Sandler, commissioner of the city’s Department of Transportation, says the issues are different on Staten Island. “It’s a borough where passenger cars are very important,” he says. 1987. (Staten Island Advance)
In 1998, ten year old Chris Ryan of Randall Manor poses next to a classic corvette, similar to the one Mark McGwire got for hitting his 62nd home run at the car show on Petrides school complex, Sunnyside.(Staten Island Advance)
In 1963, on Clove Road, cars of the time, drive on a snow-covered road. (Staten Island Advance)
In 1967 traffic snakes along Columbus Avenue as roadwork is completed on Targee, from Columbus Avenue to Richmond Road. (Staten Island Advance)
Bentley Street, from the Perth Amboy ferry, Tottenville at the turn of the century. The former Tottenville to Perth Amboy ferry was one of several ferry routes that linked Staten Island with New Jersey during the early 1900s. The ferry landed at the foot of Bentley Street in Tottenville. The ferry stopped running in 1963 because of a decline in ridership as more people turned to their cars and began using the Outerbridge Crossing. (Courtesy the Staten Island Museum)
In 1937 along Targee Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, Stapleton, cars of the day wait at the light. (Staten Island Advance)
A classic bug, Volkswagen, in 1967 is parked across the street from 850 Henderson Avenue. Car parked over pipe line trench which was filled with dirt. Rain came and washed dirt away and this is about a 1/2 foot hole. (Staten Island Advance)
During the 1986 St. Patrick’s Day parade on Forest Avenue, antique vehicles, led by the Advance’s 1912 delivery truck, pass in review during the Forest Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue. (Staten Island Advance)
In front of the State Motor Vehicle Office on St. Mark’s Place in Tompkinsville, 1971, cars double park. (Staten Island Advance)
WPA laborers remove barrier for first car to use Ramona Boulevard at Huguenot Avenue, where old section joins new completed in 1939. (Staten Island Advance)
Victory Boulevard in Willowbrook, in the vicinity of the Clove Lakes Expressway overpass, is being widened to four lanes. In 1963, cars head in both directions, as indicated in this photo looking toward Meiers Corners, share half the roadway while work continues in preparation for paving the remaining section in 1963. (Staten Island Advance)
Antique cars cross over the Outerbridge Crossing in 1978. (Staten Island Advance/ Frank J. Johns)
Richmond and Travis Avenues intersect at a curve that would probably be dangerous if cars weren’t forced to creep along in traffic. In 1972, the widening should eliminate the curve and creeping. (Staten Island Advance)
In 1986, George LeBlanc poses with a refurbished stock car which raced at Weissglass. (Staten Island Advance)
1905 UNIC Model A1 Coupe de Ville at the 9th Annual Spring Dust Off Car Show & Flea Market hosted by the Staten Island region of the Antique Automobile Club of America at the College of Staten Island. Apr. 26, 2015. (Staten Island Advance/Virginia N. Sherry)
1960, a Richmond Avenue, snow scene. (Staten Island Advance)
A 1937 Chrysler shows off its awesome front grill in 2001. (Staten Island Advance)
The Staten Island Advance vintage truck on display at the annual Richmond County Fair in Historic Richmond Town on September 2, 2017. (Staten Island Advance/ Victoria Priola)
Traffic proceeds slowly in the Brooklyn-bound lane of the Staten Island Expressway near Woolley Avenue, Willowbrook. Several cars are pictured, left rear, stalled at the side of the roadway, 1971. (Staten Island Advance)
The centerpiece of 400 classic cars and 1,000 motorcycles at Street Dreams Spectacular was this 1950 Chevy. 2003 (Staten Island Advance)
A hood ornament of a 1933 Plymouth vintage car is seen during the annual Memorial Day parade on Forest Ave. in 2008. (Staten Island Advance)
Sgt. First Class Luis J. LaLuz, in 2010, the Grand Marshal, arrived in a vintage car with his wife, Jennifer, at the 15th annual Great Kills Memorial Day/Armed Forces Day Parade. (Staten Island Advance/Jamie Lee)
In 2009, John Comito of New Dorp with his 1972 Corvette that he found on Ebay is one of many classic cars on display at the Cub Scout Pack #37 Antique Automobile Show fundraiser held in the St. Teresa School parking lot. (Staten Island Advance)
A yellow 1937 Ford, a 1955 T-Bird and a 1955 Chevy Custom pick-up truck are some of the classic cars on display at the HandijamÕs 5th annual Day of Classic Cars and Bike Show in 2011 at the Midland Beach parking lot. (Staten Island Advance)
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