By Nick Singer, Photo Editor
Long Island is the home of an extremely tightly knit automotive culture. Bringing together those who share a common love that blends nostalgia, craftsmanship, creativity and anything that burns gas and rubber. From classic car connoisseurs to custom builders, Long Island car shows represent more than just a gathering of vehicles, they are a celebration of passion and a staple of our Island community. Whether you’re a hot rodding enthusiast, or simply a casual observer at a local show, the American car culture is alive and well, and is uniting a world of car enthusiasts.
Car shows on Long Island aren’t just a modern phenomenon; they have deep roots in the island’s history. Throughout the 20th century, Long Island’s close proximity to New York City made it a central hub for automotive innovation and culture.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the post-war economic boom brought a surge in car ownership, and Long Island’s suburban sprawl made it an ideal terrain for cruising and street racing. The trend was also fueled by the increasing popularity of hot rods and muscle cars, many of which were showcased at car gatherings in towns like Huntington, Babylon, and Patchogue.
By the 1970s and 1980s, Long Island became a center for car clubs and enthusiast groups, each with its own unique focus; whether it was classic American muscle, European sports cars, or the growing Japanese import car scene. The culture of hosting car shows on Long Island really took off in the 1990s, with events drawing large crowds of locals and visitors alike.
In the following years, car culture became such a distinct part of our Island’s identity, that it quickly became a year-round series of events. The warmer Spring, Summer and Fall months are especially packed with shows, races, and meetups. There are many different kinds of car shows out there, a few of which being Classic Car shows, Muscle Cars and Hot Rod shows, Truck shows, Import and Tuner Car shows, Exotic and Luxury car shows, and custom build shows, just to name a few.
Regardless what type of vehicle you’re into, it’s the passion and culture behind it that creates the sense of community and belonging in the car world. Sophomore Film major Alina Danlichenko and fellow automotive enthusiast discussed what she enjoys about attending car shows.
“I love meeting the people that own the cars and hearing them talk about the passion and work they’ve put into them,” she said. “I love seeing the insane and rare cars while I’m there. I also love being able to network and meet more people that are into car photography.”
Be sure to check out Alina’s car photography account, it’s @leans.camera on Instagram. She elaborated on what she enjoys about being part of the car community/world.
“I enjoy meeting people with the same interest as me. The friends and connections I’ve made from going to shows and working with people through photography are amazing and it’s great to be part of such a motivated and driven community of people,” Danlichenko said. “I try to go to car shows every weekend if my schedule allows for it. I first got into car shows about two years ago when I found out about a couple that were happening in the area that I lived in.”
A lot can be said about the passion and culture behind cars, and it’s a culture that is still alive and thriving, especially on Long Island.
Junior MTEP Major Ben Hoffman discussed what he enjoys about being a part of the car community.
“I feel like it’s something that makes me feel like there’s a bond between people and there’s an aspect of common ground because we can talk about our common interests and be around things we love, which is cars.”
Hoffman explained how he first got into cars. His current dream car is a Nissan GT-R.
“The car that got me into cars was the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. My older brother introduced me to cars and car video games which really piqued my interest. From then, I was hooked and am still to this day.”
Parking lots, fields and even airport runways are converted to car show grounds every year for car enthusiasts to gather and express their interest towards all things cars. Places like Flowerfield Fairgrounds in St. James and Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma have been known for hosting huge car shows which are widely known around the Island. Car show season will resume in the warmer Spring months to come.
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