Long Island GTO Club

2014 ALL AMERICAN CAR-B-QUE AND GTO SHOW- GOATS AND BIRDS AND HOTDOGS-OH MY

After a particularly harsh and seemingly endless northeast winter, one of the first car-shows to open the spring/summer season was the 8th annual 2014 All American Car-B-Que and GTO show, held on May 18th at scenic Crab Meadow Beach in Northport, N.Y.

With the dark blue waters of L.I. sound only yards from the venue and the Connecticut coastline in view; the surroundings were as beautiful and tantalizing as the slew of potent Ponchos gleaming in the bright spring sun.
Sponsored by A Mothers kiss-L.I. Children’s Cancer Volunteer Organization, NAPA auto parts of Smithtown, N.Y. and with grilled delicacies provided by Applebee’s restaurant, 250 cars were on display according to show organizer and L.I. GTO club president Gary Heicklen.

Also in attendance, the jocular Chris Switzer and Ray Guarino- whose local MotorMouth radio show has been broadcasting all things cars and promoting the yearly spring GTO event since it’s beginning.
Open to all American made cars, the real highlight of the show, were the 85 Pontiacs that rolled in, particularly the vast array of GTO’s present in celebration of the iconic monikers fiftieth anniversary.
Iterations of Pontiac’s “Great One” were far a field in every color under the rainbow, representing vintage models from 1964-1970 and the ’04-’06 neo-GOAT.

Also gracing the parking-field, classic machines spanning the excitement division’s ‘60’s heyday to the new millennia, including the Firebird, Bonneville, Catalina, Grand Prix, G8 and Solstice.
Like great predators showing their teeth, open hoods revealed Pontiac power-plants from the small block 326ci to the venerable 389ci tri-power, massive Super Duty 421ci and H.O./455ci big blocks, up to today’s all powerful, all aluminum LS engines.

With live tunes from several LI bands providing the mood, festivities included free photo plaques and snacks for the first 100 cars registered, automobilia vendors and 100 people’s choice award trophies handed out to the lucky winners.

Even with the arrowhead division’s demise in 2009, shows like this one are a perfect example of the steadfast following and dedication the Pontiac faithful have for their beloved cars.

After hiatus in 2013 following the effects of super-storm Sandy, the 2014 All American Car-B-Que and GTO show made it’s welcome return, ushering in the warm weather and getting all those Pontiac’s out from under their covers and garages onto the road where they belong. Mission accomplished, great show.

Submitted by: Andrew Nussbaum