Streets of New York: 1970s

Sound Advice on a Car Parked in a Lot on West Street, near the Newly Constructed World Trade Center 05/1973

TGR Staff

New York has always been a tough city to drive in, in the 1970s the federal government sent photographers out across the country to document the pollution that was wreaking havoc on the environment while documenting oil spills, smog, and traffic, this team of photographers also captured unique moments in time. In this curated collection of photos, we look at cars in NYC during the 1970s.  


Inner City Life on Bond Street in Brooklyn, 1974.  Photographer: Danny Lyon

Inner City Life on Bond Street in Brooklyn, 1974.  Photographer: Danny Lyon


Abandoned Car in Jamaica Bay, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

Abandoned Car in Jamaica Bay, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.


Williamsburg Bridge in New York City Facing Towards Manhattan, 1974. Photographer: Danny Lyon

Williamsburg Bridge in New York City Facing Towards Manhattan, 1974. Photographer: Danny Lyon.


New Housing at Grant City, Staten Island-A Result of the Building Boom Following Completion of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

New Housing at Grant City, Staten Island-A Result of the Building Boom Following Completion of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.



Shell gas station, 10th Avenue & 20th Street, New York City, New York     1977.

Shell gas station, 10th Avenue & 20th Street, New York City, 1977. Photographer: John Margolies.


Cars Parked in Front of Brownstones in Park Slope of Brooklyn New York City, 06/1974. Photographer: Danny Lyon

Cars Parked in Front of Brownstones in Park Slope of Brooklyn New York City, 06/1974. Photographer: Danny Lyon


Hell's Kitchen, New York City, 1974. Photographer: Danny Lyon

Hell's Kitchen, New York City, 1974. Photographer: Danny Lyon


Among the Shoreline Debris at the John F. Kennedy Airport Is This Abandoned Auto,1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

Among the Shoreline Debris at the John F. Kennedy Airport Is This Abandoned Auto,1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.


Parking Lot at Ferry Dock on Staten Island, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

Parking Lot at Ferry Dock on Staten Island, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.


Sand Covers Abandoned Car on Beach at Breezy Point South of Jamaica Bay,1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

Sand Covers Abandoned Car on Beach at Breezy Point South of Jamaica Bay,1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.


Roadside Eating on Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island,1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

Roadside Eating on Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island,1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.


Motorcycle Parking near Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, 1973, Photographer: Wil Blanche.

Motorcycle Parking near Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, 1973, Photographer: Wil Blanche.


Parking Lot at the John F. Kennedy Airport, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

Parking Lot at the John F. Kennedy Airport, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.


A Frustrated Driver Sits through A Traffic Jam in Herald Square, 1973. Photographer: Erik Calonius.

A Frustrated Driver Sits through A Traffic Jam in Herald Square, 1973. Photographer: Erik Calonius.


Plum Beach on Sheepshead Bay, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.

Plum Beach on Sheepshead Bay, 1973. Photographer: Arthur Tress.


Holland Tunnel Traffic Is Lined Up on Canal Street, 1973. Photographer: Wil Blanche.

Holland Tunnel Traffic Is Lined Up on Canal Street, 1973. Photographer: Wil Blanche.