Rising from Tragedy to Triumph: Car Enthusiasts Share Stories of Resilience and Passion

In a remarkable testament to human resilience and the healing power of passion, Tony Pedro, a 65-year-old Farmingdale resident, defied medical predictions that he would never walk again after a devastating motorcycle accident. Pedro’s journey of recovery intertwined with his restoration of a 1965 Corvette has led him to the prestigious Oyster Bay car show at Tobay Beach on Long Island. “You don’t do these shows just for the cars, you really do it for the people and the stories,” Pedro explains, capturing the essence of what makes the automotive community so special. The show, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., brings together car enthusiasts whose personal narratives are as compelling as their meticulously maintained vehicles. For Pedro and many others, these automobiles represent far more than mere mechanical accomplishments—they embody triumph over adversity, family traditions, and lifelong passions that have shaped their identities.

Pedro’s story begins with tragedy when, as a former city correction officer, he was “broadsided” by a taxi in Queens in 2008, sending him crashing into a tree. “I was left there to die,” Pedro recalls with sobering clarity. The accident left him with catastrophic injuries: a broken hip in two places, a broken back, cracked sternum, fractured jaw, broken knee and ankle, and extensive muscle damage. Emergency responders had to resuscitate him in the ambulance. Despite doctors’ grim prognosis that he would never walk again, Pedro found an unexpected source of motivation when he discovered a friend was selling a 1965 Corvette for $36,000. Even while still hospitalized with tubes down his throat and up his nose, Pedro made the call to purchase the vehicle. What followed was a dual restoration process—of both the classic car and Pedro himself. With the assistance of two friends who helped him move around, Pedro devoted himself daily to restoring the Corvette, using the prospect of one day driving his dream car as motivation during his arduous rehabilitation.

Remarkably, Pedro regained his ability to walk in just six months—a recovery he directly attributes to his passion project. “That car saved my life—literally,” he states with conviction. The teal-blue, 500-horsepower Corvette has since become so impressive that Pedro claims an Arab sheikh once offered him $250,000 for it—a testament to both the quality of his restoration work and the vehicle’s appeal. Pedro’s story exemplifies how personal passions can provide the determination needed to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, transforming a devastating setback into a triumph of will and purpose. His presence at the Oyster Bay car show represents not just the culmination of his restoration efforts but also his extraordinary journey of physical and emotional recovery.

Rick Hassel, a 61-year-old West Islip resident, brings another touching narrative to the car show with his 1967 Cadillac DeVille convertible. Valued at approximately $40,000, the dark red classic particularly resonates with older enthusiasts who appreciate its vintage appeal and spacious design—Hassel jokes that “you can fit three bodies comfortably in the trunk.” Beyond its impressive specifications, however, the Cadillac holds profound significance within Hassel’s family traditions. “My father had this tradition that when the kids are born, you pick them up at the hospital and you bring them home in a Cadillac,” Hassel explains, adding with a touch of dark humor, “Because when you die many years later, hopefully you’re going to be going out in a Cadillac,” referencing the brand’s association with hearses. This tradition creates a poetic symmetry to the human journey—entering and exiting life with the same dignified mode of transportation.

Hassel maintained this meaningful family custom for his three children, born in the late 1990s and 2000, using his beloved DeVille. The tradition nearly faced interruption when his daughter was born while the car was out of service. “I panicked,” Hassel recalls, describing how he reached out to a friend who owned a similar vehicle. After explaining the situation, his friend immediately responded, “Come and get it,” allowing the family tradition to continue unbroken. Hassel’s story illustrates how automobiles can transcend their utilitarian purpose to become vessels of family heritage and emotional continuity, carrying not just passengers but also meaningful traditions across generations. His Cadillac represents more than transportation or even a collector’s item—it embodies a family legacy and the meaningful rituals that bind generations together.

The Oyster Bay car show also welcomes 85-year-old John Romano and his prized 1968 Pontiac GTO, a green speedster valued at approximately $80,000. What makes this vehicle particularly special is how it strengthened the bond between Romano and his daughter Nicole. During her senior year of high school, Nicole’s academic excellence earned her the privilege of driving the coveted car once weekly. “The principal of her school gave up his space for it and would call me up to say, ‘John, everything is good,'” Romano remembers fondly. This arrangement not only rewarded Nicole’s academic achievements but also initiated her deeper involvement with automotive culture. Over time, she learned to change the oil and perform other maintenance tasks on the vehicle, which has notable credentials of its own—”Fast and Furious” actress Michelle Rodriguez once rode shotgun in it. The Romano family’s experience demonstrates how shared enthusiasm for automobiles can foster meaningful connections between parents and children, creating spaces for knowledge transfer, mutual respect, and cherished memories. As Romano aptly observes, “It’s amazing how these pieces of machinery bring everybody together.” His friendship with Tony Pedro, who now helps maintain the GTO, further illustrates the interconnectedness of the car enthusiast community—a network built on shared passions, mutual support, and appreciation for both mechanical craftsmanship and personal journeys.