By Andrew Hackmack
They want to show it off to everyone, talk about the rebuilding process and draw some "oohs" and "aahs" from their fellow car buffs.
The Valley Stream Lions Club provided just such an opportunity on Sept. 21 with the annual car, truck and motorcycle show at the pool parking lot on Merrick Road. Dozens of proud owners brought their hot rods, big wheels, sports cars and bikes for a show that was free to the public.
Bob Wright, a longtime village employee, brought his 1962 Volvo P210. He had spent nearly five years restoring the car, and recently installed a new engine. "I did everything but the paint and the body work," he said.
Wright said he bought the car from a friend, had it towed home and got to work. The seats he found in a dumpster, but were still in good shape and just needed a little cleaning.
In a show which featured a lot of classic American cars, Wright said it was nice to show off something different. "You don't see these at all," he said of his Volvo.
Charles MacPherson, a lifelong Valley Stream resident, displayed his 1932 Ford Business Coupe hot rod at the show. He bought the car last October from someone who kept it in a barn in Hempstead. It hadn't been on the road since 1970. "I took it home, took it all apart and put it back together," MacPherson said.
MacPherson is no stranger to automobiles, working for BMW in the body shop. But this was his first time restoring a classic vehicle and he had a lot of fun doing it. "I've worked on cars with my dad since I was a kid," he said.
The car "runs great," said MacPherson, who installed a Chevy big block engine and Chrysler Dana rear as part of his restoration work.
Bob Blakeman brought three cars to the show, including two which are very unique. He said his 1932 Cadillac V-16 limo is the third of only seven ever built and his 1934 Lincoln V-12 is the second of 10. Both are the last of those models still in existence. "A lot of those cars were cannibalized in World War II for the steel," he said.
His third car, a 1929 Pierce Arrow V-8, is one of the finest cars ever made according to Blakeman. It was greatly engineered, built well and the engine was so good it was used in fire trucks.
Blakeman, a former village attorney, said he enjoys seeing the other classic vehicles people bring to the show. "I like to see any cars that are nicely restored," he said.
Valley Stream resident and business owner Ray Rizzo came to the show with a 1933 Dodge and 1933 Ford three-window coupe. He noted that the Dodge was a top-of-the-line model when it first came out and was initially sold for $595.
Rizzo said he built the Ford basically from scratch, starting with just the cab. A self-described "motor head," Rizzo also brought his son-in-law's 1934 to the show. "We show them all the time," he said of the three cars, adding that this was his first time participating in the Lions Club event.
Neil Tenen and Bill Quinn served as judges for the day, rating cars in categories such as best paint, best engine and best interior. Tenen said those are typical categories for a show that has such a wide variety of car types, instead a lot of similar models. There was also a best-in-show category for the car "that has everything going for it," Tenen said.
It was evident that everyone has put a lot of time and effort in their cars, Tenen said, and all are in good working order. "It's nice that they drive them," he said. "Nothing comes on a trailer."
All money raised at the car show will go to local charities. Lions Club President Jim Zabatta noted that turnout was a little lower than in the past because there were numerous other car shows in the area that day. Overall, he was pleased with the event. "I'm just happy we got good weather," he said.
