Classic Car Show

A classic car show comes to Valley Stream

By Juan Lasso

Joe Mazzioti has been a longtime Valley Stream resident, but 2021 was the first time he and his wife, Marisa Mazzioti, attended the Valley Stream Car Show to display their 1967 Plymouth GTX 426 Hemi for fellow car enthusiasts and residents to behold. The car, aside from its impressive size, mesmerizing deep black color and terrifying 500 horsepower, holds a lifetime of wild and cherished stories.

“We raced through Sunrise Highway with the bride in the car on the night of her wedding,” reminisced Joe Mazzioti. He and Marisa, now happy retirees from the racing scene, sat comfortably in their beach chairs on a recent steamy Friday afternoon next to their glamorous 54-year-old car — one among dozens of other head-spinning classics on display at the show.

The Village of Valley Stream event kicked off with lively Motown and ’50s music courtesy of John Piazza from ACE’S D.J., as residents and visitors strolled along the street, sidling up curiously to the cars, examining them like exotic specimens. The line-up featured a variety of vehicles, each from different decades — heavy-hitting antique and classic cars like the Mazzioti’s 1967 Plymouth rubbed shoulders with modern luxury cars and everything in between.

The street soon buzzed with families, kids and visitors stopping by. Teens who, on any other day would be speeding away on their bikes on this busy commercial street, clutched their brakes to get a closer look at the cars, smiling at their audacious size, impeccable polish and vibrant, unabashedly loud colors — bright cherry red, frigid blue, emerald green — like something from a fever dream.

“I like the idea that the public likes it,” said John Ogno, a Valley Stream resident, who showed his 1957 Thunderbird. John patiently waited out Hurricane Sandy to receive his car. It was a retirement gift to himself.

Along the street lined with barbershops, restaurants and beauty salons, business owners poked their heads out their storefront doors, while others sat outside on stools. Customers, behind window glass, kept their eyes fastened to the movement and color outside. Juan Carlos, hairstylist at the Mr. B’s Cuts barbershop, called on the members of the Breakfast Club, a motley crew of friends united by a shared love of fast cars, to show off their hot rides for the community.

“We’re here to show our support for our friend Carlos from Mr. B’s Cuts,” said Martin LaGrande, a Breakfast Club member.

Photos by Juan Lasso/Herald Above left photo: The Breakfast Club, above — Martin LaGrande, George Franzese, Stewart Carfield, Juan Carlos, Baruch Moscovici, Yeri Slong and Derek Warner — were out in force at the Village of Valley Stream’s car show. Above right photo: Souped-up muscle cars lined the streets of Valley Stream. Bottom left photo: Marisa and Joe Mazzioti sat next to their car. Bottom right photo: Valley Stream residents crowded Rockaway Avenue for the village’s Car Show.