Community Corner
Connoisseurs Show off Their Cars for Knights
Knights of Columbus hosted a car show with food donations going to local food pantries.
Knights from across Long Island showed their support on Saturday at the in New Hyde Park. Despite the intermittent drizzle and high humidity, more than 20 cars lined the back parking lot making the event a success.
While most of the day catered to cars, the also hoped to collect non-perishable food items to donate to local food pantries.
"Originally, the car show started out as a good group of people getting together for a common interest and ever year it started to grow," said Dan Garcia, one of the New Hyde Park Knights. Regarding the car show, he explained that "it's gotten to the point where everyone looks forward to the Saturday after Labor Day."
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Visitors who came to check out the cars said they were most amazed by the pristine condition of the cars.
"That's awesome," said Joe Gilliespie, 11, as he pointed at the gauge mounted on the hood of the Pontiac GTO. He said his favorite part about the show is that all the cars can go really fast.
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Both new and old cars were on display including a 1968 Pontiac Convertible GTO with original paint and a 1988 Cobalt F41 known to be one of six manufactured. However it was the flashy red, restored 1933 Ford Three Window Coupe that stole the spotlight. Owner Don Spannapieco received the annual Best of Show recognition which included two tickets to Saturday “Knight’s” Hawaiian Dinner.
From as far back as he can remember, Spannapieco said he has been involved with cars.
"I'm a car nut," he joked. "I remember like it was yesterday sitting with my friends in Brooklyn and watching the cars go by and calling out the make, model and year- I knew them all."
Spannapieco was not the only one who was immersed in the car world. A group of men and women who have known each other since second grade have stayed connected through this hobby.
Co-sponsor Mike Alioto is one of the friends who showed off his four cars at the show. Having more than 22 years of experience in the business, he explained that when it comes to the buying and selling of these kinds of cars, “These cars hold so much value because they've become unattainable. There’s usually a story behind our cars and sometimes a memory of having that car as a child that makes us feel connected.”
