On the first warm day this spring, the sounds of revving engines could be heard throughout Arthur Avenue.
This past Sunday, The Belmont Business Improvement District (BID) and Allan Nunez sponsored Bronx Little Italy’s First Car Show. Cars lined Arthur Avenue from East 187th to Crescent Avenue as spectators and families stopped to take photos or sit inside one of these classic beauties.
“I have participated in car shows in different areas of New York so I wanted to do one where I grew up on Arthur Avenue.” said organizer, Allan Nunez, former President of Bronx Realist Auto Club and current member of Solo Pa Mi Gente (SPMG) Auto Club. Being no stranger to car shows, Mr. Nunez realized that Little Italy needed something different in order to attract more people and help the local merchants.
Mr. Nunez noted that momentum began about eight months ago when he participated in a Veteran’s Car Show in Queens, “This Car Show has been in the works for the last two years. At Saint Anthony’s Feast last year, we did had a small car show to how the public would respond and it went really well.”
Over 90 cars were registered from cars ranging to classics like a 1959 Cadillac DeVille, 1925 Chevrolet, an official pace car for NASCAR 1981 Pontiac Trans AM, 1930 Jaguar GT Grand to more modern cars like a 2013 Nissan Nismo and a 2004 Maserati Coupe. There were also more exotic and international cars from Britain, like a 1961 Aston Martin, as well as a 2015 three wheel Polaris motorcycle.
Those who participated in the car show entered categories for best truck, best rims, kids choice, and most reputable auto club (Most Rep). Since it was along Arthur Avenue, many merchants were out selling wares and restaurants were packed from spectators taking a break from pounding the pavement. Raffles and gift certificates from local businesses like Artuso Pastry Shop, Full Moon Pizza, and Mario’s Restaurant were given out.
Mr. Nunez is optimistic for the future and plans to make Little Italy Car Show an annual event, saying, “We are already getting calls for next year’s event. There’s going to be more cars and it will be bigger!”
The Belmont Business Improvement District has many other events planned in Little Italy like: Bronx Little Italy Art Show, Ferragosto, and a Cannoli Contest (check out their calender here).
Follow Us