Colin Cumiskey (l) and his son Casey check out the engine of a 1967 Camaro with Angelo Rubino, of Monroe, and his son Angelo Jr. during the 16th annual North Brunswick Cops & Rodders car show at DeVry University Sunday. SCOTT FRIEDMAN NORTH BRUNSWICK — The celebration of the 16th annual Cops & Rodders car show could still be considered very “sweet” despite a few initial setbacks.
More than 160 new, old, classic and specialty vehicles were on hand at Sunday’s event at DeVry University to benefit the general fund of the North Brunswick Police Death, Retirement, Widows & Orphans Fund.
The theme of the car show was Sweet 16, and overcoming obstacles such as last week’s rain postponement, two other shows being held on the same day, and the hot weather made this year even sweeter.
“We consistently put on a good show. and it’s for a good cause. Everybody likes to come out and support us,” said Police Officer Joseph Grasso, whose father, Michael, a retired officer, initiated the popular show.
For the past five years Carl Swenson, of Sayreville, has been at the show to demonstrate his support, but as a spectator. This year, however, he and his wife chose to display the 1973 Corvette he has owned for six months.
“I’ve wanted one since I was about 10 months old, but I could only afford pictures of a Corvette,” he laughed. “So, finally, I saved up enough money to get one.”
Swenson’s first antique car is in the style of the Mako Shark concept car. He drives it around on weekends and starts it up during the week.
“It’s the true American sports car … a two-seater sports car that is affordable,” he said.
Ralph Magnotti, of Middletown, also exhibited an American car: a 1940 Mercury coupe, model 77A, which he has had for 12 years.
“I like it because it is a one-year series car in the last year that Mercury made its own body,” he said of the vehicle he chose to buy because of its pre-World War II history.
Magnotti, who said he grew up building cars, said he has bought and rebuilt more than 70 cars during his lifetime. This particular coupe was completely restored with only its original body intact.
“When you build cars, there are no barriers,” he said. “People of all walks of life and all ethnicities and backgrounds, the thing they have in common is the car.”
Steve Nessell, of Pemberton, was one of those people: he’s rebuilt more than 200 cars.
“I buy ’em, see ’em, fix ’em, trade ’em,” said the former Helmetta resident, who now fixes cars for a living.
Nessell brought his 2006 Pontiac GTO to the car show. He only brings this limited production car to shows, and since he purchased it four years ago, he has driven it only about 5,000 miles.
“It was an opportunity to own a brandnew GTO — a legend,” he said.
He also had an opportunity to show the car, having attended Cops & Rodders for years prior to Sunday.
“It’s a great show. You get to see everything: new cars, old cars, classics, rat rods, everything,” he said. “Also, it’s for a great cause. Anything to support the police. My wife and I come from a long family of law enforcement, so anything for officers.”
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].