An abandoned BMW became an unexpected winter attraction this week after severe weather off Lake Erie encased the vehicle in ice at a Hamburg, New York, restaurant parking lot.
Left Behind With the Windows Down
The sedan was discovered Monday outside Hoak’s Lakeshore Restaurant, which sits along the shoreline overlooking the lake. Police later confirmed the vehicle had been stolen out of Buffalo before being left in the lot with all of its windows down. As powerful winter storms rolled through the region, the exposed car took a beating from wind, lake spray, and freezing temperatures.
Frozen Solid, Inside and Out
The harsh conditions transformed the vehicle fast. Ice formed over nearly every surface, sealing the exterior and freezing the interior solid. By Tuesday, the BMW remained in the same spot, still locked in ice, as officers monitored the scene and coordinated with the vehicle’s owner. Police said the owner had been notified and was arranging to have the frozen car removed.
An Impromptu Spectacle for Locals
While authorities worked through the logistics of towing an immobilized, ice-encased vehicle, the scene drew a steady stream of local attention. The combination of extreme weather and the car’s dramatic appearance turned the parking lot into a temporary gathering spot, with passersby stopping to take in the effects of Lake Erie’s powerful winds and waves.
For the restaurant itself, the frozen BMW was more of an inconvenience than a novelty. Management acknowledged the unusual attention but stayed focused on keeping business running as usual while police handled the situation, even as the car’s presence added to foot traffic near the lot.
A Familiar Scene From a Decade Ago
The incident also revived memories of a similar event at the same location nearly a decade earlier. In January 2016, another vehicle left in the restaurant’s parking lot became completely encased in ice during a winter storm, and images of that car spread widely online, earning it the nickname “Ice Car.” Unlike this week’s case, that earlier incident didn’t involve theft or any suspicious circumstances.
This week’s frozen BMW is a fresh reminder of just how intense Lake Erie’s winter weather can get, especially for vehicles left exposed near the shoreline. Authorities haven’t released further details about the theft investigation, and it’s still unclear how long the car sat abandoned before it was discovered.