Category Archives: Auto Shows

Bellmore, New York, U.S. July 30, 2021. Cardboard cutout of movie star Burt Reynolds holds up fingers making ‘V for Victory’ sign from driver’s window of 1981 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo 4.8, at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, held at the Bellmore Long Island Rail Road parking lot, with hundreds of visitors enjoying classic and customized cars and pleasant summer weather. (© 2021 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Bellmore Friday Night (Lights) Car Show

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
August 2, 2021

Classic cars light up the town

. WHEN: Fridays, 6-10 PM, May 15th through October 1, 2021, weather permitting  [2022 UPDATE:  Fridays, May 6th through October 7, 2022]
. WHERE: Bellmore Long Island Rail Road parking lot
. ADMISSION: Walk through = Free • Parked car = $5
. HOST: Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores

“Bellmore, New York, U.S. July 30, 2021. A classic black 1955 Chevrolet with airplane hood ornament, and ONEHOT55 license plate, gleams during sunset at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. A classic black 1955 Chevrolet with airplane hood ornament, and ONEHOT55 license plate, gleams during sunset at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Friday night, July 30th, brought unusually comfortable, cool weather, and Bob and I were fully vaccinated for Covid-19, so we visited the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show for the first time since 2019.

1959 Chevrolet Apache picks up L.I. spirits

Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. RUSS KOHLER of Seaford is sitting in driver's seat of his orange 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache truck at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. RUSS KOHLER of Seaford sits in driver’s seat of his orange 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache truck at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Past sunset, I noticed an awesome orange 1959 Chevy Apache, with its owner, RUSS KOHLER, of Seaford, sitting in the driver’s seat, with his face lit by the instrument panel lights.

Through various non-profit events, Kohler uses his classic car to bring cheer to his fellow Long Islanders, and driving it in birthday car parades struck me most powerfully.

Starting in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic first struck Long Island, Kohler put a big Happy Birthday banner on the side of his truck while joining many dozens of birthday car parades, helping people celebrate without the risk of spreading or catching the virus.

Covid-19 has killed over 600,000 Americans, but “more than 99.99% of people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 have not had a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization or death, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” –  CNN, August 2, 2021

However, children under 12 aren’t eligible to get the vaccination, so their Covid-19 prevention options are to wear a mask and socially distance. My grandsons and granddaughter are all under 12 – one is nearly 12 years younger than that.

Those who can and do choose to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and socially distance are the truest good neighbors possible to those who cannot choose to get the Covid-19 vaccination – whether they live together or half way around the world from each other.

“At the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, RUSS KOHLER of Seaford shows, on his mobile phone, a video of his 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache truck the person he bought it from sent him. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. At the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, RUSS KOHLER of Seaford shows, on his mobile phone, a video of his 1959 Chevrolet Apache truck the Texas owner he bought it from sent him. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Polaris Slingshot autocar – 3 wheels & a pinup

“Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. A Polaris Slingshot, a three-wheel autocar, is colorfully lit and has a WWII sailor pin up girl illustration on hood, at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. A Polaris Slingshot, a three-wheel autocar, is colorfully lit and has a WWII sailor pin up girl illustration on hood, at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

1984 Buick Regal – flat out of luck?

“Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. A blue 1984 Buick Regal has eye-catching driver’s side front wheel in air and a passenger side front flat tire, and the license plate DAVESSAL, at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Bellmore, NY, U.S. July 30, 2021. A blue 1984 Buick Regal has an eye-catching flat tire on front passenger’s side, and wheel high in air on front driver’s side, at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

FEATURE PHOTO – Smokey and the Bandit (at top of post): Bellmore, NY, USA. July 30, 2021. Cardboard cutout of Burt Reynolds making a ‘V for Victory’ sign, at driver’s window of black 1981 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo 4.8 is at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Bellmore Friday Night Car Show 2021:  my PHOTO GALLERY

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Old Westbury, New York, USA. June 2, 2019. A red Chevrolet Master Deluxe antique car drives by the trophy table, and ALTHEA TRAVIS, standing at left, dressed in vintage-style white and red nurse's costume, hands out trophies at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region (NYGR) of the Antique Car Club of America (AACA), at Old Westbury Gardens . © 2019 Ann Parry, FromLongIsland.com

Antique Car Show at Old Westbury Gardens 2019

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
June 15, 2019

The fields were blooming with antique vehicles and family members of all ages at the 2019 Antique Car Show at Old Westbury Gardens. Just as long as you stayed hydrated, that Sunday, June 6th, was a lovely spring day for the 53rd Annual Spring Meet of the Greater New York Region chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. June 2, 2019. A 1925 Model T Ford, owned by Scott Gramlich, of Baldwin, won two awards - Oldest Car and Best Model T - at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, at Old Westbury Gardens. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, USA. June 2, 2019. A 1925 Model T Ford, owned by Scott Gramlich, of Baldwin, won two awards – Oldest Car and Best Model T – at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America, at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

As I arrived at the show, awards were being announced, and the first winners I captured turned out to be brothers: SCOTT GRAMLICH of Baldwin, won two Memorial Awards for his 1925 Model T Ford [see photo above], and KEITH GRAMLICH, won a Memorial Award for his 1928 Studebaker Dictator, Club Sedan [click photo below].

    • NOTE: Click each photo below & see a related one
Old Westbury, New York, USA. June 2, 2019. L-R, SCOTT GRAMLICH, of Baldwin, holds 2 award plaques his 1925 Model T Ford won, and KEITH GRAMLICH, holds the award plaque his 1928 Studebaker Dictator, Club Sedan won at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region (NYGR) of the Antique Automobile Club of America, at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, NY, USA. June 2, 2019. L-R, SCOTT GRAMLICH, of Baldwin, holds 2 award plaques his 1925 Model T Ford won, and KEITH GRAMLICH, holds the award plaque his 1928 Studebaker Dictator, Club Sedan won at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region chapter of AACA, at Old Westbury Garden. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

SAMMY, a 14-year-old Bichon Poo, who was very woolly and very cute, enjoyed the Spring Meet with his family.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. June 2, 2019. SAMMY, a 14-year-old Bichon Poo, a Bichon Poodle cross (Bichapoo), with white wooly hair blowing in the wind, wears a blue harness and is on a leash held by'mom' Debbie Dugan, of Glen Head, as he looks around at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show. Dugan entered her 1951 Chevy pickup truck in the show. Event was sponsored by the Greater NY Region (NYGR) of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), at Old Westbury Gardens, a Long Island Gold Coast estate. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Old Westbury, NY, USA. June 2, 2019. SAMMY, a 14-year-old Bichon Poo, is on a leash held by ‘mom’ Debbie Dugan, of Glen Head, as he looks around at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region chapter of AACA.  Dugan entered her 1951 Chevy pickup truck in the show. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

DEBBIE DUGAN, safely holding Sammy’s leash, watched the Awards Ceremony with RUSTY BECKER, all three from Glen Head.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. June 2, 2019. L-R, RUSTY BECKER and DEBBIE DUGAN, both of Glen Head, and SAMMY, a 14-year-old Bichon Poo, a Bichon Poodle cross (Bichapoo), are at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show. Dugan entered her 1951 Chevy pickup truck in the show. Event was sponsored by the Greater NY Region (NYGR) of the Antique Automobile Club of Americaa (AACA), at Old Westbury Gardens, a Long Island Gold Coast estate. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Old Westbury, NY, USA. June 2, 2019. L-R, RUSTY BECKER and DEBBIE DUGAN, both of Glen Head, and SAMMY, a 14-year-old Bichon Poo, a Bichon Poodle cross (Bichapoo), are at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show. Dugan entered her 1951 Chevy pickup truck in the show. Event was sponsored by the Greater NY Region chapter of the AACA at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Dugan entered her blue 1951 Chevy pickup truck in the show, and when I asked where it was parked, she pointed behind her, explaining it was back several rows.

Old Westbury, New York, USA. June 2, 2019. The antique 1951 blue Chevrolet pickup truck, owned by Debbie Dugan of Glen Head, is an entry at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, NY, USA. June 2, 2019. Antique 1951 blue Chevrolet pickup truck, owned by Debbie Dugan of Glen Head, is an entry at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region of the AACA, at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

I’m a long-time 1950’s Chevy fan, so later during the show, I walked to the back rows and found Duggan’s truck, with its beautiful blue body and chrome grill gleaming in the sun.

And before we drive away, let’s enjoy one last beautiful antique, a Model A Ford, whose owner is a member of the Long Island Model A Ford Club.

Old Westbury, NY, USA. June 2, 2019. The black Model A Ford sports a blue grill emblem: Long Island Est. 1959, Model A Ford Club, at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show at Old Westbury Gardens. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, N, USA. June 2, 2019. The black Model A Ford sports a blue grill emblem: “Long Island Est. 1959, Model A Ford Club” at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region chapter of the AACA, at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Feature Photo at top of post: Old Westbury, NY, USA. June 2, 2019. A red Chevrolet Master Deluxe antique car drives by trophy table, and ALTHEA TRAVIS, standing at left, dressed in vintage-style nurse’s costume, hands out trophies at the 53rd Annual Spring Meet Antique Car Show, sponsored by the Greater NY Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, at Old Westbury Gardens.

2019 Antique Car Show at OWG:   PHOTO GALLERY

    • New York Greater Region chapter of AACA: NYGR
    • Antique Automobile Club of America: AACA
    • Old Westbury Gardens:  SITE  •  JOIN

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Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. Parked under the elevated LIRR train tracks are some of the hundreds of classic and custom cars on display at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, in parking lot of Bellmore station.

Bellmore Friday Night Car Shows 3: Red, White & Blowtorch

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
August 31, 2018

Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. At the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, many cars and visitors are under the overhead tracks at the Bellmore LIRR train station. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. At the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, many cars and visitors are under the overhead tracks at the Bellmore LIRR train station. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Whether their cars wore vivid coats of paint or muted ones, the owners I met at the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show last week were colorful and happy to talk, especially about the treasures they drove there.

Mr. Blowtorch

Standing next to his sleek black Chevy SS, “Mr. Blowtorch” was handing out small free stickers – each with a beautifully illustrated car scene and “Friday Night • Car Show • Bellmore” on it.

Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. Hundreds of classic and custom cars are on display at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, in parking lot of LIRR Bellmore station. This traditional Long Island event is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. “Mr. Blowtorch” holds stickers he’s giving away for free, in front of his black Chevrolet SS at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, in parking lot of LIRR Bellmore station. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I took two or three stickers as he shared anecdotes, and showed photos on his cell phone, about his former career as a theatrical stage metal worker (NYC’s Local One – IATSE). 

So “Mr. Blowtorch” was the nickname he got at work, which spanned decades and continents, and included making the large flat metal world map, showing several rotated views of Earth, for the set of CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite!

See the USA in Your 1957 Chevrolet

A big fan of the Chevy Tri-Years, 1955-57 (and shiny red things), I headed straight to a red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air as soon as I spotted it. 

Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. Hundreds of classic and custom cars are on display at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, in parking lot of LIRR Bellmore station. This traditional Long Island event is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. Visitors at left finish taking close look at red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, and its owner opens driver’s door, to relocate car across lane. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The twin chrome rockets on its open hood looked ready to blast over the elevated train tracks of the Bellmore LIRR train station. 

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. Closeup of rocket ornaments on open hood of red 1957 Chevy Bel Air that is on display at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, in parking lot of LIRR Bellmore station. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. On open hood of red 1957 Chevy Bel Air, rocket ornament points up toward overhead tracks of LIRR train station, during Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

It turned out I arrived just in time to capture a shot of that, since – though the rockets weren’t leaving the car – the car was about to move to an apparently more desirable spot that had just opened up across the lane. 

Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. Hundreds of classic and custom cars are on display at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, in parking lot of LIRR Bellmore station. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, N, USA. August 24, 2018. Closeup of front grill and bumper of red 1957 Chevy Bel Air on display at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The alert owner quickly – and very carefully – moved his Chevy to the new space, where the dusk light softly lit up the golden front grill and chrome bumper.

Back to the 80’s

And this cruise night certainly didn’t disappoint when it came to creative, fun vanity plates.

Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. Hundreds of classic and custom cars are on display at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show, in parking lot of LIRR Bellmore station. This traditional Long Island event is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. Owner Frankie D’Amore, of Levittown, is seated, at right, next to  his 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible with fitting license plate number, at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

FRANKIE D’AMORE, of Levittown, had “BAC2D80S” license plates on his white with red interior 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible. Small green, white and red “Italia” boxing gloves dangling from the rear view mirror gave an extra personal touch.

Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. Owner Frankie D'Amore, of Levittown sits next to his 1984 white Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz convertible with a particularly fitting license plate number BAC2D80S, at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. At left, owner Frankie D’Amore, of Levittown gives a “thumbs up” as he sits next to his 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, at Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Cruise Nighttime

It was well past sunset when I left shortly before 9 PM that late summer night.

Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores members, wearing yellow reflective safety vests, were collecting entrance fees from drivers of the classic, antique and customized cars, who had over an hour of cruise night to enjoy.

For me, like the rest of the hundreds of visitors who walked in, Bellmore Friday Night Car Show was free.

Bellmore, New York, USA. August 24, 2018. Members of Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, wearing yellow reflective safety vests, give drivers a car sticker after they collect $3 entrance fee from each car entering the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show at the Bellmore LIRR Train Station parking lot. Visitors walk in for free. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. August 24, 2018. Members of Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, wearing yellow reflective safety vests, collect entrance fee from each car entering the Bellmore Friday Night Car Show. Visitors walk in for free. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Just the Facts

WHEN:  Weekly meets from first week of May to first week of October: MAY 3 to OCT. 5, 2018, from 6 PM – 10 PM (weather permitting)

WHERE:  Bellmore LIRR parking lot on Sunrise Highway (between Bellmore Ave. & Bedford Ave.)

INFO:  bellmorechamber.com   (516)-679-1875 – The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores and the Town of Hempstead host Friday Night Bellmore Car Shows

UPDATE:  2019 Schedule

Weekly Friday meets from MAY 3 to OCT. 4, 2019, from 6 PM -10 PM (weather permitting)

2018 Bellmore Friday Night Car Shows:   PHOTO GALLERY

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