A Farmingdale man has defied expectations after being told he would never walk again, thanks to his work on restoring a classic hot rod. Now, he is headed to Long Island for a popular car show, feeling rejuvenated.
Tony Pedro, 65, plans to showcase his 1965 Corvette, which he started restoring recently during his recovery from a biking accident.
“These shows aren’t just about the cars; it’s the people and their stories that matter,” Pedro noted about the event happening from 11 am to 4 pm.
In 2008, Pedro—a former city corrections officer—experienced a serious accident when a taxi hit him, sending him crashing into a tree.
“I was left there to die,” he shared.
Pedro described how he could have lost his life but was revived by paramedics. “They had to bring me back to life in the ambulance,” he recalled.
His injuries were extensive: broken hips, back, jaw, knee, and ankle, along with a cracked sternum and various muscle tears.
Doctors told him he might never walk again. But when he spotted a Corvette for sale, it ignited his will to prove them wrong, prompting him to reach out to the seller even while recovering in the hospital.
“I called him while I had a tube in my throat,” Pedro recounted.
Since then, he’s been tirelessly restoring the car. He feels that working on the Corvette has played a crucial role in his recovery.
“The car saved my life—literally,” he said.
Slow Ride
The free show at Oyster Bay will feature Rick Hassel, 61, from West Islip, showcasing his 1967 Cadillac. He jokingly mentions how the dark red convertible can comfortably fit three bodies in the trunk, making it a particularly notable part of family traditions.
“My dad used to pick us up from the hospital in this,” Hassel reminisced, expressing a wish to take his last ride in a Cadillac someday.
He continues this tradition, celebrating family milestones with the classic car.
Hassel recounted: “When my daughter was born, my car wasn’t usable, and I panicked.” He reached out to a friend who helped him out.
Lots of Miles
Nicole Romano has cherished memories tied to her father, John Romano’s beloved green car. The bond they share over it has only grown stronger.
“As a senior in high school, I knew I’d finally get to drive it one day a week,” recalled Nicole, now 85.
They’ve formed a deep connection through maintaining the car together, proving how these mechanical creations can unite people.
“It’s incredible how these machines bring us closer,” said Romano, who mentioned that Pedro is currently working on restoring a GTO.
