For several months, this photo of two people washing their Mazda MX-5 Miata has been circulating intensely within the enthusiast community. The scene seems innocuous at first glance: a simple convertible car wash on a public street. But the historical context, visible in the background, transforms this image into a powerful symbol of resilience.
A Poignant Historical Context
Taken on September 24, 2001, just two weeks after the 9/11 attacks, this photo actually shows the remnants of the South Tower of the World Trade Center in the background. The two individuals are not simply cleaning the accumulated urban dust off their roadster, but the residue from the attacks that destroyed buildings and claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Authenticity Confirmed by the Photographer
Jane Tyska, a photojournalist still active with the Bay Area News Group, immediately confirmed the image’s authenticity amid speculation labeling it a fake. Ironically, the photographer herself owns a classic red NA Miata, reflecting her affinity for the subject.
The Exclusive Account from Photographer Erik Pendzich
A second photographer, Erik Pendzich, captured the same scene from an almost identical angle. A New York resident and direct witness to the events of 9/11, he was documenting the city’s slow reconstruction at the time. He recalls a strange and desolate atmosphere in the normally bustling streets of the Financial District, still covered in dust and debris.
Returning to Normalcy
“It was the first time in two weeks that I saw people doing something ‘normal’,” he shares. The contrast between the ordinariness of their action and the horror of the surrounding setting was striking and deserved to be immortalized.
The Exact Location and Its Irony
The scene took place at the intersection of Washington and Carlisle Streets. An ironic location for a car wash scene (“wash” and “car”). The parking lot where the Miata was parked on the day of the attacks has since been demolished, replaced by the memorial, although some buildings in the area remain recognizable.
One Story Among Many
The vehicle, like many others in that garage, was covered in gray debris after the towers collapsed. Pendzich sadly recalls that many vehicles were never claimed by their owners.