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Classic cars park at historic airstrip

Classic cars park at historic airstrip
Photo by Steve Solomonson

Brooklyn’s oldest airfield is also home to the borough’s biggest car show.

More than 350 vintage cars lined the tarmac outside of the newly renovated Ryan Center in Floyd Bennett Field on Sunday for the 34th edition of The Antique Automobile Association of Brooklyn’s car show.

“Every year we do it down there, we have cars coming from Staten Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut; other clubs come, we bring in enthusiasts from all over. Every year it’s bigger and bigger,” said club member Evans Georgopulos, who came to the event in his 1931 Ford Model A Super Deluxe Roadster.

The exhibits ran the gamut of 20th-century automobiles, and included Vince Massucci’s ’32 Studebaker and Frank Naccarato’s ’64 Corvette. A few enthusiasts showed off more modern rides, like Steve Yamin’s 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt.

Daddy’s girl: Emily Romeo, 7, stands next to her daddy’s ‘97 Corvette Coupe LS-1 5.7 Liter at the car show.
Photo by Steve Solomonson

Some of the club’s older exhibits are nearing a century old, including Lenny Schiller’s 1922 Star.

“Our President [Shiller] has over 55 cars. He brought his 1922 Star to the show,” said Georgopulos. “Have you heard of a star? Because I haven’t.”

The show was certainly packed with auto relics from days long gone, but through their owner’s care and maintenance, it’s easy to forget they rolled off the assembly line decades ago.

“When was the last time you saw a 1931 Model A pass through your neighborhood?” asked Georgopulos. “That’s why we do this, to show people that these cars are still around, and we especially love showing these to senior citizens. It brings a tear to their eyes.”

We all scream for ice cream: Mouse Granata bites into a huge ice cream sandwich as he shows off his ‘55 Good Humor Ice Cream truck at the Antique Car Show in Floyd Bennett Field.
Photo by Steve Solomonson

Reach reporter Colin MIxson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.