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Date: 8/15/2023
That have traveled in and out our garage door… Sorry Julio and Willy. Couldn’t resist.
Cars. Big ones, small ones, our first one. Classics, antiques, that faithful steed that got us there every time. First dates, college days, getting us to the church on time. Bringing a baby home. Rushing to the emergency room. That slow ride in a funeral possession.
They are a part of our lives. We name them, sometimes we curse and blame them. Paradise by the dashboard lights... The same dashboard altar used for prayers to get through the storm.
My first was a 1968 Camaro SS convertible. I bought it on a cold winter night. She was beautiful, solid and all original. I found her in Northampton, near where she was sold to her first owner at Labbee Chevrolet. The ride home, the sound of the dual glass-pack exhausts, a full moon shining. I felt like I was a WWI flying ace.
She sat in my parent’s backyard that first winter. My parents didn’t know what was to come. My best friend, then, and now, Dave Siano and I bought a ‘64 ½ Mustang together. It joined the Camaro in the backyard while we restored her.
My long-time friend, then, and now, Jesus “Juice” Vasquez, added his 1967 Chevy Malibu SS to the posse. As I write this, that same car, still owned by him, just won top honors at a car show in Florida. Talk about a long-time, 44-year, love affair and commitment. A Malibu marriage made in heaven.
Jesus, “Papo,” as we called him then, was the doctor of love for our cars. Thanks to him, the Camaro’s restoration was remarkable. And he influenced me to add real, steel Crager S/S mag wheels to the car that got as many remarks as the car itself did.
Down the road, my 1949 Buick Super joined the backyard garden. My mother threatened to grow tomatoes in it. When I sought refuge for it in my grandmother’s garage, she used the immense hood to lay out strings of hot peppers. The pepper juice created little fire flames across the hood. Very cool but made me wonder about the sanity of eating them after that.
It happened for me in my grandmother’s yard when I was a boy. My uncle, Dr. Pasquale (Pat) DeAngelis had a gorgeous 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible. It was love at first sight for me. Navy blue body, white top with stunning white interior. My uncle, Captain Frank Basile (SPD) had the sedan version in mesmerizing light metallic blue.
Another uncle, Pat’s brother, Nicolas DeAngelis, put a “Fire-brick red” 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 in the same driveway, followed by a 1970 Pontiac Lemans with a monster engine. The first time I was in it, I broke the passenger side window for him. That car had terrifying horsepower. A more civilized 1971 Chev Monte Carlo replaced it. Their friend, mine too now, Skip Russeau, had the uncivilized big-block version of the Monte. All these cars influenced me long before I was 10 years old.
Pat DeAngelis bought a 1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible, one of the last convertibles that Detroit would build (until Lee Iacocca brilliantly brought them back). Deep blue body, white top and stunning white top.
Uncle Pat and Auntie Maria, like the two teenagers they still are, tool around in it to this day, top down, from Wilbraham to Groton Long Point.
People, pals, are often the story behind a car. Candi Chevrolet-Olds was having a tough year, so friends Pat DeAngelis and Carl Moses visited friends and owners David Canegallo and Vinny DiMauro. Patsy bought the Delta 88, and Carl a Toronado. The Toro, Detroit at its immense best, with front wheel drive. A rocket-sled through winter snow.
The DeAngelis Olds is a staple in the Groton Long Point Fourth of July parade. Detroit Americana fittingly decked out in red, white and blue. Pat’s sons, Dr. Nicola DeAngelis and Dr. Joseph DeAngelis aren’t car guys, and Nick’s son Michael and daughter Ava don’t have the car bug. Fortunately, new grandkids arrived last year via Dr. Joe and wife Jessica. The family is counting on newbies Vincenzo and Rocco to helm the Olds in about 17 years.
My dear friend Adam Wright captured the essence of this love affair for me, and the bittersweet aspect of cars loved and lost. “Cig, I swim in old car regret! From my classic unrestored 1973 Mustang convertible, with 50,000 original miles, to my Porsche Boxster, to my Corvette C6 Z51 and to my 2010 Challenger SRT8, they are all gone. Poof. Regret. Pain. More regret.
“Man, what a great car can do for the ego. It’s just sheet metal, glass and rubber, but behind the wheel of an awesome machine, somehow, I always felt taller, better looking, just…cooler. Driving the Porsche through the Westfield State Campus once on business, top down, music just loud enough to not be obnoxious, I was absolutely convinced the beautiful young women I passed were eying me with a glint in their eye. Which for men of a certain age tends to go a long way. I felt great, until I realized it wasn’t me, it was the shiny Teutonic ride with an interior the color of a well-worn baseball glove. Sigh. Oh hello, my old friend, regret. I know you all too well.”
Gary Rome is a local auto icon. Nationally and internationally known, TIME Magazine National Auto Dealer of The Year, an astonishing accomplishment given the competition. His dealerships have put Holyoke and Enfield, Connecticut on the auto map. He is a community service, philanthropic force of nature. Cars are in his family genes. His dad owned Gerry Rome Nissan.
Gary shared with me that of all the cars in his life, one holds his heart forever; “My 1991 Nissan 300 ZX twin turbo triple black means the world to me. It’s my favorite car because I get to relive my youth each time I drive it! I have always been a ZX enthusiast and while working at my father’s Nissan dealership, my team sold more ZX’s than anyone else in the country. I worked directly with Stillen and modified many of them. I drove my ZX back and forth to college in Ithaca, New York. I even sold a few to people in the UK and France. My ZX is priceless to me and I will keep it forever.”
I’ve reached my word count limit, but Executive Editor Payton North understands this car thing of ours. Recall her sharing with readers her love for her former Nissan Juke. She is kindly allowing me to continue this love song next week.
Meantime, take advantage of the summer car shows in Western Mass; Check out Cruisin’ with Bruce Marshall on Facebook for the outstanding shows he hosts. If not on Route 66, get your kicks at the Northampton Elk’s car show every Thursday night, Chicopee Moose Lodge every Thursday evening, and the Classic Burgers weekly show on Tuesdays.
Coming; Chris Robare’s unique 1950 Buick Super, Ed Collins’ award-winning, Hemming’s-recognized car collection and Pat Kennedy’s ’63 Riviera. You’ll be surprised by Judy Matt’s exotic sports car affairs, moved by Jeff Trask’s collection shared with friends and other stories. I may also cause trouble between Springfield and Chicopee Mayors, Sarno and Vieau, over who can claim Duryea bragging rights!
Anthony L. Cignoli is the president of Anthony L. Cignoli Associates, Inc. & The A. L. Cignoli Company. He is a political consultant and public and media relations consultant for candidates, public officials, companies and charitable organizations throughout America. The opinions expressed within the article are that of the author’s and do not represent the opinions and beliefs of the paper.