The Town of Oyster Bay’s Classic Car Cruise Nights, an ever-popular attraction open to the public, takes place every Friday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. in the expansive parking lot of Massapequa’s Long Island Rail Road station.
(Photos by Chris Boyle)
There, people from near and far gather to show off their tricked-out wheels, or simply stroll about the lot and take in the sights and sounds of automotive history right before their very eyes.
According to a representative of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Recreation Department, Classic Car Cruise Nights has been going on for more than 10 years and draws participants from all over Long Island. Admission is free for onlookers, and if you have a set of hot wheels that you want to park and display, the cost is only two cans of food, which the town donates to local food bank Island Harvest for distribution to the needy.
On a recent Friday, the Massapequa LIRR parking lot was packed to capacity with tons of chrome, steel, and rubber, ranging from cutting-edge racing cars to turn-of-the-century classics. Steve Jones of Huntington was on-hand at Classic Car Cruise Nights showing off his pride and joy — a 1955 Bel Air Hardtop that he said was, aside from a few minor tweaks, just the same as it was the day it rolled off the assembly line.
“It’s got the original motor and transmission…it’s been repainted, but in the original colors. It has a few ‘acceptable’ upgrades, like power disc brakes and an electronic ignition, but otherwise it’s basically an original car,” he said. “I’m not an automotive purist…certain cars are fine if you upgrade them, but I liked this one the way it was so I decided to keep it that way. I’ve always wanted to own a classic, and I bought the Bel Air a year ago once my kids were grown and moved out and I finally had the time and money to do something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
Mickey Foss of Levittown’s decision to purchase his stunning red 2003 Saleen Mustang — a rare vehicle he noted was featured in the hit 2003 racing film 2 Fast 2 Furious — came about due to a health scare several years ago, he said.
“I had a cancer situation, and I bought it after I got sick about six years ago. Now I’m doing pretty good, but this car and attending shows with my buddies has become a hobby of mine, and I have a lot of fun with it,” he said. “Only 23 Saleen Mustangs were made with this racing package, including the color and the supercharger…all the kids at these shows know the car from the movie, and it’s usually pretty popular.”
Mark Forsythe of Plainedge was attending the car show with his beautiful, metallic orange 1971 Chevrolet Corvette, a particular model that he said he had painstakingly restored from a rusted heap to its currently impressive, showroom-quality condition.
“I’ve always wanted one of these babies,” he said. “When I was a kid it was my dream to own one, but while I never got to drive one off the lot brand-new, what I eventually did down the road was even more personal and impressive…I found one destined for the junkheap and, piece by piece, put it back together again. I love it.”
While there were many cars attracted to the show, there were even more spectators; among the crowds milling about admiring all the classic and modern steel alike was Don Futucchi of Massapequa. A car buff, he said he gets a charge out of attending Classic Car Cruise Nights as often as he can.
“There are other car shows competing for my time on Friday nights, such as a regular one in Bellmore, but the Massapeua show is always a lot of fun and I find myself coming here the most during the summer,” he said. “There are always great cars here, and the owners always enjoy to gab with people about their cars…it’s a fun, relaxed atmosphere and a great family event.”
