New York man won't trash aged clunker

NEW YORK, June 25 (UPI) -- Harry Ettling's 1982 Honda Civic has endured a major accident, more than 170,000 miles of wear and even a riot, but the New Yorker still won't get rid of it.

The New York Daily News reports that Ettling has repaired damage to the car from a variety of sources over the years, yet won't rid himself of the clunker as long as it still runs.

"People actually recognize me in other sections of town because of the car," Ettling told the Daily News. "The reactions range from laughter to anger to kindred spirits giving me the thumbs up, and everything in between."

The most notable damage occurred when the car was flipped over by rioters during the 1992 Washington Heights riot.

"When the car got turned upside down, that was really the beginning of Harry's car as we know it today," Steve Alcott, Ettling's neighbor in the Inwood area of Manhattan, said. "The guys in this neighborhood are really into their cars, and can't believe someone would drive something that looks like that. But it's a great car -- it'll get you where you're going. And junk is in the eye of the beholder."