Automat’s 9th Annual Car Show brought in a large crowd of cars as well as spectators for an event that, according to Automat owner Roger Browner, makes any other car show seem boring.
Automat, a family run business since 1956, was founded by Eric Browner and is now run by his two sons, Tim and Roger Browner.
Around 300 cars showed up at the Automat Car Show in Hicksville. The show was open for everyone and free for exhibitors and spectators.
“Many of the cars in the show are clients of ours, either restorations or customs,” said Roger.
Actor Chuck Zito was among the special guests at the car show. Zito is a client and friend of the Browners and attends the car show every year. This year he brought his 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz with him.
Each year draws an array of different cars. Two years ago, for example, there was an 1896 Ford with a tiller for the steering parked right next to a brand new Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster, explained Roger.
“Just about every car we work on has some random story,” said Roger. “Most of them are done for sentimental reasons.”
One Hicksville resident, Raymond Darisi, bought his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport to relive old memories of his first car.
When he was a kid in the early 1970s Darisi had the same car and always wanted another one, which led him to buying this particular model. It was restored in 1993 and is the right color and correct block for the year that the car was built.
“You never get over your first car,” said Darisi.
Now, Darisi keeps the car in good condition in his garage and takes it out on nice days.
Hicksville resident Richard Pastecchi came to the show with his 1956 Ford F100. What makes his car stand out from others is that it is a pickup truck. “There’s not a lot on the east coast as nice as this,” he said.
Pastecchi has always been interested in hot rods and trucks since he was a kid, and even drove a truck for a living.
Judging the cars at the show were the Automat girls, a group of seven girls in cutoff shorts and Automat tank tops who choose the winners in each category.
The Automat girls gave out awards to the top three in the customs and restoration category. There were also awards for best restoration story, best custom story, and best photo with the Automat girls.
The girls took pictures with the cars in the show and the car owners are able to direct the photo shoot. Some car owners get creative with how they arrange the picture, according to Roger.
“Our car show is such a high energy event, that an attendee last year told me that compared to our show, other car shows are like going to a funeral,” said Roger.
