An abandoned BMW has created quite a scene in Hamburg, New York, this week.
On Monday, the car was found in the parking lot of Hoak’s Lakeshore Restaurant — which overlooks Lake Erie — with all of its windows down. According to 7 News WKBW, police confirmed the car had been stolen out of Buffalo.
The intense winter storms did not go easy on the sedan. Erie’s wind and waves battered the luxury car, causing it to freeze solid. Both the car’s interior and exterior became encased in ice.
On Tuesday, the car remained in the parking lot in the same condition. Police indicated to WKBW, who filmed live at the scene, that the owner had been notified and was working to have their car towed.
In the meantime, the frozen car became a tourist destination as locals stopped by to witness the raw power of Lake Erie’s winds.
One curious onlooker, Justin Ryther of Orchard Park, told the outlet, “It’s pretty crazy to see in person, I’ll tell you that.”
Hamburg resident Steven Mitchell called it “one of the most interesting things I’ve seen in quite a while.”
However, Kevin Hoak, co-owner of the restaurant, didn’t seem too starstruck by the vehicle’s presence.
“I have not talked to police, but I know they are on it,” he said. “It’s Buffalo; people just come in and want to take pictures in front of it and whatnot… It’s kind of become a destination. Hopefully, they come in for a fish fry as well.”
This is the second time a car has completely frozen in Hoak’s parking lot in the last decade. In January 2016, images of a different frozen car outside the family restaurant went viral, earning the nickname “Ice Car.”
However, there was no suspicious activity involved in that case. The owner, Justin Yellen, told WKBW at the time, “It had to happen to me; I’m that type of guy.”
