Three classic cars in Larkman Square parking area in Yonkers are not only a study in form and shape, but also a reflection on stillness and rest. At first glance, they look as if they're moving but the absence of drivers makes you slow down and take a second look. A 1955 Buick extends far beyond the others in this photograph taken on December 17, 1954.
Auto design in the post-war era was strongly influenced by the streamlined shapes of fighter planes and bombers. Many cars had bullet-nose front ends (a shape meant to suggest aircraft engine housings), gun-sight hood ornaments and the wraparound rear windows.
The middle car in this photo is an Oldsmobile 88. "Powered by a solid V-8 engine and dressed up in just enough chrome to look prosperous, the Oldsmobile was a softly rumbling chunk of American steel, a roomy car with less flash than a Cadillac but more prestige than a Chevrolet or a Ford," The Times wrote. "It was a deacon's car, a shift boss's car, and for as long as even the oldest Americans can remember, it rolled with respectability to the Little League ballpark or the Masonic lodge."
This photo was included in book, "The Tumultuous Fifties," which showcased images from The New York Times Photo Archive.
