By Karen Bloom
Throughout the year car enthusiasts are busy showing their cars at local events, and spending many hours keeping them in tip-top shape. Come early November, those devoted to the hobby, and other just interested in looking at this piece of Americana, converge on the grounds of Belmont Racetrack in Elmont. There they spend two days ogling the cars and search for auto parts of every description, at the "Best Cars of Long Island" Car Show and Swap Meet.What began as a local activity has grown over the past 10 years into a two-day extravaganza that spreads over acres of grass and asphalt. It now ranks as the collectible car world's largest event on Long Island, according to its organizers."We started in a backfield and now we have spread out over a large area of the racetrack grounds over two days," said Phyllis Aquino, a representative of LI Cars, the group which runs the event. "You'd be amazed at the mix of people of all ages, backgrounds and professions that want to 'talk cars'."The pinnacle of the event is the Car Show. Visitors can stroll among more than 500 custom and collectible cars "assembled door handle to door handle," displayed in the parking lot. Many are unusual and exotic cars, rarely seen, shown by local car clubs and collectors. Visitors can view muscle cars, Mustangs, the "Fast and Furious" cars, classic cars, along with the occasional Model T.The cars are all examined by judges and photographed. The following day, they compete in classed judging. Coveted "Best Cars on Long Island" trophies are awarded in more than fifty categories. Beyond the displays and judging, a key aspect of the event is the "swap meet." This the place to find all sorts of auto-related items. Vendors, from large commercial suppliers to hobbyists cleaning out their garages and workspaces, sell all kinds of parts and accessories necessary for the auto collector and those regular folk who have older cars and are looking for out-of-stock, hard to find parts. "It is amazing how many new old-stock parts turn up each year," said Frank Coppola, a car enthusiast and judge at the show. "If you have an collectible or older car and are in need of parts, this is one place you'll find them."The show also serves an opportunity to buy and sell vehicles of all kinds. The "Car for Sale" section offers private owners a way to sell all types of older cars, not just collectibles. Cars can brought in and registered for sale both mornings of the show. "Everyone has some type of car they like," said Coppola. "We've got them all." For those who enjoy looking at fine show cars and are in need of those hard to find parts, Belmont Racetrack is the place to be.
Car Show And Swap Meet
Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; rain or shine. Tickets: $7 adults, children under 12 free. Show cars, cars for sale and vendors can register at the gate 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. each morning. Belmont Racetrack, Cross Island Pkwy., Exit 26 B, Elmont. For further information, contact
(631) 567-5898.
