The vehicle shown is a 1935 - 1938 Checker Model Y. The widely flared front fenders are highly distinctive of these models.

These vehicles were made in Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1922 - 1982. For a while E. L. Cord, who owned the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenburg automobile companies, also owned Checker.

An extensive online history of Checker is available at the following website.

http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/c/checker/checker.htm

A restored Checker Model Y-8 from 1936 is shown below.

Trying to obtain the same perspective of this view is challenging, if not impossible. Behind the photographer is a parking area which limits the distance from which a photograph can be taken while the elevated FDR Drive blocks out much of the view above. The old Fulton Fish Market building dating from 1883 in the photo was razed in 1948. It was replaced by a building in 1983 that mimics it. Just beyond both buildings on the opposite corner of Fulton and South Streets can be seen the same building which still stands in the April 2010 view below (which is the closest I could come to the proper perspective given the limitations).

View Larger Map

This is looking across South Street to the southwest. The street disappearing behind the building in the extreme left is Fulton Street.

This might be looking southwest from the East River towards Lower Manhattan. You can see the buildings more clearly here:

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsca/09600/09601v.jpg

and here:

http://www.nyc-architecture.com/SCC/04G.jpg

The American International Building is one of them I'm pretty sure, and another is the Trump Building, both of which are south of where the Market was.

This has to be a montage. The Fulton Fish Market is on the river. This photo was taken facing east. The buildings shown behind it are to the west. Check out the June 1943 photo by Parks which Dave submitted on 11/02/2007, Fulton Street: 1943. You can see the same buildings in a shot facing west.

[You're mistaken. You can see the fish market roof at the far left in the other photo. This view is facing west. - Dave]