OK everyone....
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Now on to everything
else.....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The season is just about over and although we have had some nice mild weather this year (mid Nov and it’s in the 60’s), there are just not that many events around to go to and the constant rain has put a damper on the few that there are. Fear not... you can still find some worthy cruise nights to attend and some last, lingering fall shows.
On the car market...some BIG news!! The market is changing as we speak! It seems that prices have finally started to come down (along with home prices) and many cars that were WAY overpriced are now simply overpriced.
If this trend continues, we may actually be able to afford some of our favorite muscle cars again!
Another indicator of change is that sellers are putting their collections on the market. I have seen quite a few groups of cars or whole collections for sale from various owners in the last few months. Cars that were either being held on to for monetary, investment, or speculative reasons are now showing up for sale! Even some big dollar, rare pieces that were supposedly “untouchable”.
This all is an indicator of people trying to “get out” while they can and reap some profits. Either that or they are just buried deep into their collections and are attempting to unload some vehicles before they lose too much value. They are getting afraid now of what might come.
Kind of like stocks and real estate...people buy in for economic reasons and then play the market.
I have seen so many high dollar Mopar E-bodies and various Six-Pak cars, Big block Chevys of all sorts, as well as Museum piece older cars being offered for sale that it is almost shocking.
Cars that you haven’t seen for sale publicly in a long time are making an appearance!
This is one of the biggest indicator of change.... many desirable cars showing up for sale!
What will this turn into? What does it hold for our hobby that has seen prices spiral upward out of control in recent years?
Is this the beginning of another downward trend? Are dealers, brokers, and collectors going to start dumping vehicles?
Who knows.
With winter just ahead it could keep trending downwards, or, with Barrett-Jackson in January it could bounce back up.
I for one would love to see the collector car market tank.
Yes, I would. There, I have said it.
I do not care that my cars would be worth less money because I have no interest in selling them and $$ figures “on paper” are meaningless.
I am not into it for the money! I am a true car enthusiast that loves the cars. Heck, if they were all worth 10-20K instead of 50K and up - I could buy more of them!!
That would be a good thing!
I could finally get that 68 Charger R/T in triple black and that 70 Challenger R/T in purple/white/white with white stripes and a SixPak engine!! I might even have some bucks to buy a nice Firebird, GTO, 442 or Mustang!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I have included the QUARTERLY PROMOTIONS for our advertisers in this November edition instead of the usual December Newsletter. I believe this will give all of you readers more time to take advantage of what is offered by these folks at discounts for your holiday gift giving. Give them a call and tell them LICLASSICCARS.COM sent you!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1 Editor’s Introduction
2 Feedback
3 Advertiser’s Promos
4 Puzzle Fill In Contest
5 Cruise Night Information
6 Guest Writer’s Columns
Tom
Sebastian
AutoMat
7 My Car Story
8 The Archive
9 Editor’s Closing
___________________________________________________
Some of the latest:
Thanks for all the calendar of events listings. It was a great reference
all year long. I can’t wait until next year now that the season is over.
Brett Warner
Pete,
Who organizes this thing (Newsletter)
every month? It really seems like a lot of work! Great job!
Bill
Thanks Bill, That’d be me. Glad you like it, and, it IS a lot of work.
HEY PETE ALOT OF GOOD READING HERE!
JEFF
DEAR PETE
THANK YOU FOR THE ARTICLES
I ENJOYED THE DELORAN ONE ESPECIALLY
!!!!
HOWIE
I drove quite a long way to Greenlawn for a Pontiac car show
this weekend that I saw posted on this web site, only to find out that the show
was cancelled about a month ago. Why wasn't this listing removed, or were
you not aware of the cancellation?
Ken Adams
Ken,
That is a GREAT issue
you bring up.
I have asked, in fact
asked repeatedly, of all the clubs and organizations that list shows and events
to PLEASE inform me of any changes. Most times they do, but sometimes they do
not.
I only know what I am
told by these groups.
I am sorry for any
inconvenience that is HAS caused.
With your permission I
will forward your email to the appropriate club or organization and also post
it into the next “Feedback” column in a future Newsletter.
Let me know, and if
so, please give me specifics about the event listing so I know who to send it
to.
I could not agree with you more on your little rant about people packing it in when darkness falls upon the local cruise spots. I don't get home from work till around 6 and by the time I eat and get the car out of the garage & then get to the local spot everyone is either gone or in the process of going !!! And this is between 7 and 8. I’m with you on this one!! Cruise till snow comes and roll all night!
Pasqualy Destefano
It's official. The Tuesday night K-mart
cruise in Levittown is over. The owners of the property Home Depot have
asked us never to return. Nassau County Police were steering cars away tonite.
How about organizing a protest cruise to a Town hall or NYS Parks
department to demand a place for us all to go. This has become yet another bad
day for our hobby.
What's next?
David Davidson
Dave, you are right...it IS a sad day. Yet again we lose another spot!
There were no problems there as far as I know, just some short-sighted owners
with the need for something nasty to do.
Pete,
Just finished reading the nice articles on Buick GN's.. They
are a great car with much to offer. Plenty of space, power galore, and decent
handling. Plus not too bad gas mileage.
(He goes on to say much more....)
Thank you for the great stories. Maybe some day I'll sit down and draft a few pages about older Vettes as they are my dream machines.....
Homer Dellysse
Homer, I’d love to get that Vette article from you any time you
like!
Thanks to everyone for writing in.
___________________________________________________
Here are some special deals and offers from some of our advertisers!
We thought it would be a good time to re-acquaint you with what these
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All of these businesses below advertise on Long Island Classic Cars.com
in the underlined section of the website.
These folks have GREAT stuff for CHRISTMAS and HANNUKAH
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Let’s start with TRANSPORTATION.
When you buy that new car or sell one of yours, Phil at ABRO MOTORSPORTS is offering special rates for those who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com! He has all new equipment, fully enclosed, insured, and door to door service by the owner himself! Call him for a free quote today!
AJ CLASSIC AUTO TRANSPORT is a premier local service that takes great pride and care in their work. They are huge car enthusiast that serve LI, the tri-state area, northeast, and beyond! Call Jimmy and mention us for a nice rate to go along with his fantastic service! Great people!
Hmmm….maybe you are buying something to add to the fleet!?
In that case check the INSURANCE section.
Call VEHICLE APPRAISERS NETWORK. Dave Smith is an accredited appraiser of the International Appraisers Network. What that means is that his services are reliable and accepted by major members of the collector car market. If you need an appraisal of your car, or an experienced and accurate assessment of a specialty or classic vehicle that you are considering purchasing, Dave is the guy you should call upon. Don’t make that purchase without a professional appraisal! Spend a little now to save thousands later!! Tell him he was recommended by liclassiccars.com!!
For good rates, and more importantly; great service, check out THE RASKIN GROUP. Ask for Ray and tell him we sent ‘ya! They will help you out and give free quotes with no obligation.
If you like dealing with pros, try the DeStefanos at ALLSTATE/HAGGERTY AGENCY. They work in conjunction with one of the world’s finest Specialty insurance companies, but can also provide you with the local touch you need!
Perhaps you need a little monetary help with that new purchase?
Go to the FINANCE section and see…..
The largest and most widely known of all Classic Car Finance institutions is J.J. BEST. They have so many years of getting people into cars and have helped thousands! Their experience and rates are top notch! Mention LI Classic Cars.com for some special consideration!
Keith Adler at CLASSICAUTOLOANS.COM. Tell him you saw his ad on liclassiccars.com and he will certainly help you out! He specializes in all kinds of classic, exotic, and luxury car loans.
Also try Jim at CLASSIC CAR FINANCIAL. He can help you if your
credit is less than perfect. They finance classic and modern machinery.
How about PARTS for your baby?
Are you putting out a fire? Is your car running hot? Electrical goblins? Fuel leakage? In any case, having a fire stopping device is a necessity in our valuable cars! John at PYROCOOL TECHNOLOGIES has a patented system that not only works better than standard fire extinguishers, but it is harmless to paint, rubber, fabric, and other valuable surfaces! If you care about your car - get one of these! The pros and industry use it all the time!
Call or go to PARTS AUTHORITY. They have everything automotive and locations throughout the area! They are giving 10% off to all who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Get your repair, maintenance, and performance parts all in one place! Get some stocking stuffers from their vast inventory!
AUTOMOTIVE UNLIMITED has a huge selection and stock of classic and modern day parts. Give them a call and ask for Eric or Dave. Mention our site for some nice savings!
Is your radiator or cooling system steaming you up? Then Bill Carberry at CLASSIC HEATERS and CAP-A-RADIATOR SHOP is the one man who has what you need! Whether it is parts, service, or a custom build, this guy does it all. Mention liclassiccars.com for a discount that will certainly cool you off!
How about some NOS, reconditioned, or used parts for your Chevrolet vehicle? Don at RESTO TRIM is offering 10% off now through the end of May when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Minimum $100 purchase. He can give you the parts you need, or refurbish yours to showroom new condition!
If you need Mopar parts, HERBEE DODGE is giving 5% off when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Whether you need resto, performance, or daily driver parts, call or visit them. They are a great bunch of guys in the parts department! Ask for Bob or Ronnie.
More GM stuff you say? DAVE’S GM PARTS is also offering 10% off for all who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. He has three (3) warehouses full of parts!
Need some RESTORATION or REPAIR?
Any restoration is only as good as the prep work that goes into it. That being the case, here is a company that can start you off in the right direction: AMERICAN DRY STRIPPING will take your car and all your parts down to bare metal so you can restore them better than new! Tell them we sent you for some special considerations!
APPEL AUTO SERVICE is operated by a classic car nut! He is more protective of your cars than you are! Call him to get free quotes on all types of work. Tell him LI Classic Cars.com sent you and he’ll take car of you and your car for sure!
TAPPEN ENTERPRISES is a premier street rod shop here on Long Island. Bill has vast experience in all phases of rodding from ground up fabrication to finish work of the highest caliber! When a guy who loves the hobby has a business he loves too, the results are remarkable! Tell him Long Island Classic Cars.com sent you!
Jan at ELITE COACHWORKS takes tremendous pride in his work. He can make your modern, classic, or anything else look gorgeous! He has good prices, turnaround time, and most important he is a quality guy to deal with! Tell him LI Classic Cars.com sent you and get a discount as well!
Whether it is your interior or top (and a whole lot more), the boys at AUTOMAT have got you covered. [Pun intended]
The fellas have decades in the hobby and do tremendous custom jobs as well as classic and modern restorations, repair, and modifications to your vehicle. Let them know you saw their ad here for a nice discount. Their reputation is their name!
Dave (from above) also owns and operates BANNER ROD & CUSTOM. I have seen his work and man his cars are scary fast! He performs surgery on all types of cars, whether you want repairs, fabrications, customizing, restorations, engine or chassis building, paint and body, dyno-tuning, and more!! Again mention Long Island Classic Cars.com for 10% off any work! That can be a monstrous savings for restorations and custom work!
Try AL & SELWYN. Paul is a serious pro at classic car and performance mechanical work. He takes great care with your vehicle and has a true interest in the art. He offers great prices and service to begin with, but mention Long Island Classic Cars.com for a nice discount.
EAST COAST RESTORATIONS is also owned and operated by Don Ness. He does beautiful work on vehicles. Stock, modified, or custom, he does it all! A nice, clean, and efficient shop is his trademark.
STREETSIDE RESTORATIONS specializes in fabricating, roll cages, and complete restorations! Tell Christian that liclassiccars.com sent you! He will take care of you and your ride.
Many of our readers have foreign cars that need love too! Lou Palumbo at GULLWING MOTORS INC. is THE specialist to see for all your repairs on British, Italian, German, and other foreign car makes. They have over 25 years experience! Tell them you saw their ad on liclassiccars.com and they will take care of you and your car with “kid gloves”.
Bill at CLASSIC HEATERS and CAP-A-RADIATOR SHOP does some real special fabrication, repair, and resto of your cars components. He makes things from scratch as well, and does some neat resto work to boot!
Paul Rawden who sells and restores vintage license plates is now also offering a duplication service. If you have one good plate and the other one is damaged or even lost, Paul can duplicate the good one for you so you have a full set again! How about that?!
Warm weather means top down cruising! Just in time, Jim at PHOENIX AUTO INTERIORS is offering 10% off on convertible top repairs and replacements! Just mention Long Island Classic Cars.com and he’ll have your car ready for the road in style!
Another professional upholstery shop is RP INTERIORS. They do many of the custom and classic rides you may have seen at the shows. Tell Rich you saw his ad on liclassiccars.com. They do cars, boats, bikes, even airplanes!
And what’s better than driving with the top down and the radio on?! Nothing if you ask me! The problem is most of us don’t have a good working radio and speakers. Robert at ELLIOT’S CAR RADIO can fix your “box” and speakers and have you driving and singing along with the music. (Hopefully that’s a good thing.) He is offering free shipping on your radio purchases and/or repairs for the month of April. Just make sure you tell him Long Island Classic Cars.com sent you!
While you’re parked or driving, THE REFELECTED
IMAGE can ensure that you properly see where you are going and
what’s around you! They are offering 10% off on all mirror restoration,
customizing, and re-silvering! What that means is simple: if your rear or side
view mirrors are cloudy or gray, they can make them brand new again! They also
create stock and wild custom etchings and graphics for any kind of ride!
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
NOW!!!
GET HANNUKAH GIFTS TOO!
Want some collectible or show stopping AUTOMOBILIA? Check the PARTS-BUSINESS AD section.
Alan at CARZIGNS is offering free shipping on all custom made signs for your pride and joy! These are the highest quality show signs out there and he offers a design service that no one else does! Put your orders in now for CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!
Just make sure to mention LI Classic Cars.com for the free shipping! (By the way, his design service is outstanding! I know, he did a beautiful sign for my ’69 Super Bee that you may have seen at the shows.)
TOYS TOYS TOYS! Who can have enough? Not me! Call DIECAST MUSCLE. They have one of the largest stock of die cast items that includes ultra-rare and limited edition models you can’t find anywhere else. I have many of their items and their service is fantastic! Ask for Mark or Dave. They will give you 10% off all orders regardless of amount, and, free shipping if you spend $100 bucks! Make sure to mention you saw their ad on liclassiccars.com for the discount.
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS &
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How about these great deals!! Just don’t wait folks, some of these
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Brought to you by Long Island Classic Cars.com
___________________________________________________
Long Island Classic Cars.Com’s
There was
no winner for this contest! That is a first!
No one
seemed to know all the answers! Wow! That was a surprise.
Our
contests, along with prizes, will return in the January 2007 edition.
___________________________________________________
“EXTRA EXTRA!
READ ALL ABOUT IT!!”
The Cruise Nights are ending! Here’s the latest …
2006 Cruise Night location
updates:
TUESDAYS: McDonald's. Metropolitan Ave. & 69th Road, Forest Hills, NY.
Sponsored by East Coast Car Association/Toys For Tots
TUESDAYS: Audrey Ave. Oyster Bay, NY
DONE FOR THE YEAR
TUESDAYS: Bald Hill Cultural Center. North Ocean Ave. Farmingville, NY
Sponsored by the Farmingville Fire Department
TUESDAYS: Old K-Mart Plaza. Hempstead
Tpk. Levittown, NY
CLOSED DOWN BY OWNERS 1st week Oct.
WEDNESDAYS: KFC. William Floyd Pkwy & Montauk Hwy. Shirley, NY
Sponsored by Bow Tie Boulevard Camaro Club
THURSDAYS: Wendy’s Shopping Center. Montauk Hwy and Locust Ave, Oakdale, NY
Sponsored by Still Cruisin’ Car Club
FRIDAYS: Bellmore Train Station. Sunrise Highway. Bellmore, NY
Public Gathering
FRIDAYS: Massapequa Train Station. Sunrise Highway. Massapequa, NY
ONLY
RAN BRIEFLY AUG & SEP
SATURDAYS: *AM Cruise* Steve’s Collision. 618 North Bicycle Path. Port Jefferson Station, NY.
Sponsored by Steve’s Collision.
SATURDAYS: Sonomax Station. 278 Greenpoint Ave. Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY.
Sponsored by East Coast Car Association/Toys for Tots
SATURDAYS: Kohl’s. Corner Grand Blvd and Commack Rd. Deer Park, NY.
Public gathering.
SATURDAYS: KFC. William Floyd Pkwy & Montauk Hwy. Shirley, NY.
Sponsored by Bow Tie Boulevard Camaro Club
SUNDAYS: *AM Cruise* Ocean Pkwy, Captree Beach Parking Lot through May, then at OBI.
Public gathering.
PS –
The
Sunday morning OBI cruise moves about two miles east to the boat basin.
Fishing has slowed down for the season so the cars park in the lot by the
fishing boats. The little restaurant stays open all year so you can go
inside to get warm and have breakfast. The only bad thing is you have to
pay for parking (I think it was like $3.00 last year)
I
also heard that the Tuesday night K Mart show in Levittown has MOVED to the
Ruby Tuesday's parking lot across from the old Grumman factory on Rt 107?
Thanks to Wallace for sending the OBI
info in.
___________________________________________________
GUEST WRITER(S)
COLUMN(S)
Tom Sebastian submits another BMW column for your enjoyment. Tom has had so many cars
and he definitely has a fondness for the Bavarian vehicles. When you read his
tales, you understand why!
Justin
from AutoMat has done something different this time out. Instead of
their usual article on a vehicle they have sculpted, Justin tells us about
their time at a fixture car show here in the northeast.
In this month’s “My Car Story” we have a rare car indeed.
Remember the CanAm racing series back in the 70’s? Well, Gary Heicklen
has a car that was created to pay tribute to it (and hopefully help to sell
some cars for Pontiac at the same time). A real eye catcher to be sure. Check
out his story!
Enjoy…
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Tom Sebastian
Tom goes from this 
…. to this! 
A
Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races: The BMW 3.0Csi
As cool as you wanna’ be
As sophisticated as you have to…
You can always pick out a European.
If you’re on you way in from JFK, they’re the ones who are smoking on a no-smoking bus. They wear more comfortable shoes than you do and, if it’s not summer, they are in the wide-lined corduroy pants of a type that I have never seen offered for sale in the US.
And, if you are on the highway with one, head for cover or hug the right lane. They take their driving seriously.[1]
Of the two 3.0 coups build by Bayerisch Motorwerk in the early 70’s, the 3.0CS – the carbureted version with the automatic transmission option – was meant for us. The other, the injected, 3.0CSi, was meant for them. It had more horsepower by far and was geared the way they like it – for the autobahn. (Recommended shifting point from 3rd to 4th: 103 mph.) I wanted the one meant for them.
When I finally found it (proof positive: the bill of laden showed that it was shipped here from Genoa, Italy), I was elated. After that ‘Gentleman’s Jag’ XJ6C, I was really up for some back-road firepower.
If my Alfa GT was a beginner’s Grand Touring machine, this was the one for the Big Boys. This thing has the heart of a racer inside the body of an estate car. That patented, in-line 6 – an engine that BMW only recently disbanded -- delivered a sound like none other. This was the forerunner to all the great, M-Series road cars of the future. Only this one was far more distinctive than anything that came after it.
A night at the opera doesn’t quite bother you with this – because you know you are missing the first act anyway.
This is the night you drop her off but don’t come back for your reserved seat until the first intermission and come up with ridiculous excuses for your absence. Anything to drive this car! Memories of joy ride bouncing in your head helps you survive all the recriminations. (And it was still worth it.)
The car is a blend of the best of anything I have ever owned. OK, it didn’t present the race-ready profile of the Lotus and nothing on earth can match the Lotus suspension but, just like the Lotus, the car is still better than you are. It will save a weekend Schumacher cum Rusty Wallace from himself time and again. You can take a corner slightly off kilter – a real danger in some cars – and still pull out in time. The car ‘knows’ where to go even if you’re not sure.
All things being equal, Karmann is equal to Bertone as a design house. But I do wish BMW had consulted the Italians on this one. As sharp as this car is, it comes up half a peg short of the artistic symmetry of the GT Alfa. This was, perhaps, the one time BMW should have dispensed with the trademark, pig-snout grill and gone for the dramatic. It needed just one more sensuous curve somewhere...[2]
As per my BMW 2002, the car is all glass -- a real advantage for high-speed maneuvering in traffic. While it never reached the cult status of the 02 (what car ever did?) nor perform all the 02’s in-town tricks, it can hang out comfortably at more events: from the Black Tie dinner dance to the paddock area of the local Ferrari Club Meet and feel right at home -- places where the Elan, the ’02, and the GT Junior might look a tad too rough-edged to fit the bill.
And like the Alfa, it’s a screamer – a car that requires you to know how to double-clutch going up through the gears to maintain a minimum 2500 rpm. This prevents unwanted carbon from clogging up the works (Read my lips: it is virtually impossible to keep to the speed limits).[3]
Now, I don’t particularly like comparisons with other cars nor numerical ratings. I hated it when Bobby Rahal won the old Indy Car Championship (which became the Cart and the then the Champ Car Series) some 20 some years ago by never winning a race. Coming in second consistently can do that for you in racing. Likewise, with the new car comparison charts, a car can hit 9, 9, 9, 9 etcetera and win Best Car Award without ever being stunning or superior in any one category.
Not that way with the CSi. The sum total here is far greater than all the numbers – and any and all comparisons. Not as sensuous as the Alfa, as flexible as the ’02, nor as athletic as the Lotus doesn’t really mean anything here when you consider the total package. You have an interior to die for, a top end that will make you sing, and one of the most upscale profiles in town. It simply runs away from those other cars.[4] On a scale of 1 – 10, this one gets an 11. This one ministers to the racer, the would be gentleman, and the James Bond in all of us.
This is definitely the one to bring to the white-shoe, crested-blazer, NY Yacht Club clambake at the Hampton beach house. It will steal their thunder and appear very sedate just sitting there, taking one compliment after another. But what it really wants to do is play with those other cars on the racy side of town. When you light it up, it instantly fights against the sophisticated aura it is trapped in and just - wants – to – go! Let the glove-box fly open, the seat wear away, that silly affectation of an electric window fail in the rain…[5] No matter. As they said of Seabiscuit: Just turn him loose and he’ll run to parts unknown.
….
The woman who bought it flew in all the way from Denver. As soon as she saw this model many years before, she just knew she had to have it someday. I know the feeling. I did the same thing myself. (She also bought the condo it was parked in front of… Talk about the persistence of memory!)
My only criticism of the thing is this: Suppose you just want to go to the store for milk and are in no particular hurry to do so? You know, roll the windows down and listen to birds chirp? Well, sorry. As George Clooney’s character said in those last, frightening moments of, The Perfect Storm, when those humongous waves were just too much for his tiny vessel to overcome, “It won’t let us out…!”, so you, too, will be restricted to race mode – locked in, as it were – to a high-octane blast down every road you’re on -- even if you don’t want to![6] Yes, ok, then… I will admit: There is room for a boring Toyota Camry in your life if the CSi is the only other car in your garage!
…..
Next Time:
What is a ‘Classic’ Anyway? A
Self-Proclaimed Snob Takes a Look
(Loved the article Tom! You still owe me that test
drive!) Pete
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AutoMat Auto Interior of the Month
Good Guys
Show
Tim Browner
Written by Justin Appelbaum
Since the beginning of the automobile, enthusiasts have been looking for ways to set their car apart from the rest. It did not take much in the early years seeing as there was not much that actually made a car a car. Throughout the decades styles and times changed and so has the way we as car lovers look at the vehicles we drive.
Modification as we
know it today really started in the late 30’s early 40’s with early model Fords
and Chevys that became 
known
as hotrods. These were smaller,
traditionally open wheel roadsters with high horsepower engines. Towards the late 50’s early 60’s the era of
the street machine evolved. Typically
larger, cruising type vehicles, speed was not the main priority, style was also
a main focus. Long, sleek heavily
chromed rides evolved. Once the late
60’s and early 70’s rolled around power rose to the forefront once again, this
time backed by the American car companies.
This became known as the horsepower wars, manufacturers continued to out
duel one another year after year, model after model, to see who would reign
supreme. Still that did not stop owners
from modifying these already extremely powerful cars. That is until the government stepped in with
federal emissions laws and put an end to all the fun.
Fast forward to 1983, The Goodguys Rod and Custom Association was started by Gary Meadors. It caters to those individuals that are truly fanatical about their classic cars. There are over 70,000 members spanning the globe representing all makes and models of American cars and trucks from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. Although a few foreign makes squeeze in every so often. Every year the Association crosses the country putting on over twenty plus shows from New York to California and everywhere in between. This year their stop at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY was where we caught up with them.
Dubbed the “Rainbeck Show” it has rained at
the fairgrounds for the past seven years straight and this year was no
different. Torrential downpours soaked the
rolling hills for the first two days, but that did not stop true diehards from
coming out in full force with their cars and as spectators also. On the way up to the show I saw a guy driving
his open top roadster in the pouring rain on the New Your State Thruway with
the cabin covered by a garbage bag, now that’s hard core!!! But by the morning
of the third day the storm broke and the warm sun helped to dry out the muddy
fields. Coincidently the number of cars
and people escalated dramatically for Saturday and Sunday.
Every make and model was there representing. From classic 1920’s and 30’s hot rods, to true 40’s and 50’s street machines and 60’s and 70’s muscle cars. Some were original, but most were modified in the form of being chopped, cut, sectioned, lowered and some “Frankensteined”, plus all combinations thereof.
The cars lined the
hills of the fairgrounds, by the thousands.
Everywhere you turned there was more to see. Whether it be a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, a 1956
Cadillac or a 1968 Chevelle each was more beautiful than the next. But if classic 20’s and 30’s street rods are
your fancy, watch out, because there were more than any one man (or woman)
could handle. From real Rat Rods to
fully blown show cars, they ran the gamut.
With paint jobs from complete rust, flat back with a hint of rust to
crazy multi-layer, pearlized, gold flaked and clear coated jobs that were
stunning. They were all there. I must
say that my favorite paint job was a bright yellow mid 30’s Ford with red chili
peppers that mimicked a flamed paint job, very subtle but extremely wild. There was even a 20’s Model-T hot rod
trailering a casket in the same fuchsia paint scheme as the car. 
If you ever got tired of looking at the cars there was always the vendor courtyard and the FOR SALE coral. Rows of vendors selling everything from soap to intake manifolds and paint, to used car parts were there. Even AutoMat Co. of Hicksville was there with their 06’ Mustang showing the Old Schoolers what is new and hot. There was some really great stuff there though, especially the tools, I love tools and just try and find me a car nut that doesn’t, there were great deals to be had everywhere.
The FOR SALE coral was a treasure trove of cars, trucks and junkers, just begging to be bought. Some cars were in pristine condition and ready to be driven home while others appeared as if they were pulled out of the field weeds and all, but hey, I guess that there is something out there for everyone. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or maybe sometimes it is just pure determination and ambition that sparks the interest of a potential buyer. Whatever it might be there were many cars with new homes when Sunday rolled around and all was said and done.
There was also fun for the whole family, consisting of live music, demonstrations of various products, and lots of good food to eat. For the kiddies there were coloring contests and even model car-building contests. Wrapping the weekend up was the awards ceremony where trophies were given out to competitors. The classes ranged from Goodguys Kustom of the Year Award which was top honors all the way to Best Bitchin,’ plus a handful of others.
Once again the Goodguys Rod and Custom Association pulled off a spectacular show even with the initial uncooperative weather. Everyone seemed to have a great time and we will be looking forward to returning next year where we hope to break the rain cycle. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
(Thanks for the great article Justin. I almost feel
like I was there!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Gary Heicklen:
1977 Pontiac Can Am
When I was 10 years old. I saw the first car I wanted. It was a 1965 GTO. That car was HOT! This car was always on my mind. About eight years later. I bought one. The cost was $700.00, which was a lot for the car in 1973. Well, after doing the usual upgrades at that time, I sold it and bought a 1969 GTO with Ram Air and 4 speed.
The Pontiac bug got me! I owned many
more over the years. I got into the auto business in 1982 and always liked GM
cars. Three years ago I got the itch to get back into an "old" car.
One of my co-workers at the dealership always had an old muscle car (442, GTO,
SS Impala). Two years ago he found this 1977 Cam-Am in Florida. He brought it
up to New York and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. It was
"different", and I always liked "different" cars. It
has all the graphics; TA 400 engine and 400 transmission. It was newer
than what I wanted, but fit the bill. I checked out the car and found it
to be a survivor. All the original parts - nothing restored. After doing a
PHS on it, I found it to be one of 1,377 very rare models that were built. With
further searching I found only one other like it on Long Island. This
car was in Muscle Car Magazines December 2001 issue.
I found that everything worked and all that was needed was
detailing, exhaust and polishing. So, after it sat for a year with this fellow,
I bought it from him in August of 2005. I in turn, spent the winter doing all
the detailing and other small things to 
bring
this baby up to its potential.
When I admire the car, I know that this was a great find and will hold me proud for some time. My itch has been scratched and my interests have been heightened. It glows and so do I every time I drive it or show it off at car shows.
(Gary, it glowed indeed! I was immediately drawn to it at the show!) Pete
______________________________________________________
Here is where you can access previous editions of the Long
Island Classic Cars Online Newsletter.
October 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct03.html
November 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov03.html
December 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Dec03.html
January 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jan04.html
February 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Feb04.html
March 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Mar04.html
April 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Apr04.html
May 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/May04.html
June 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jun04.html
July 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jul04.html
August 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Aug04.html
September 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep04.html
October 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct04.html
November 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov04.html
January
2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jan05.html
February 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Feb05.html
March 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Mar05.html
April 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Apr05.html
May 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/May05.html
June 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jun05.html
July 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jul05.html
August 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Aug05.html
September 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep05.html
October 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct05.html
November 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov05.html
December
2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Dec05.html
January 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jan06.html
February 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Feb06.html
March 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Mar06.html
April 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Apr06.html
May 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/May06.html
June 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jun06.html
July 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jul06.html
August 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Aug06.html
September 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep06.html
October 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct06.html
You can also access the previous Newsletters through a
link on the main page of the website.
___________________________________________________
That wraps it up – Happy
Thanksgiving again!
I
hope you enjoyed this month’s edition. All the writers did another superb job!
Many
thanks to them!
Don’t
forget to call on some of our advertisers for your holiday gift giving needs!
They
have some great stuff!
Pete Giordano
Long Island Classic Cars.com