Car Nation

Long Island drivers are woefully unaware of the number one precaution they can take to prepare their cars for winter weather, according to one car-care expert.

Falling temperatures and icy conditions wreak havoc on cars, and many drivers respond by bringing their cars to technicians for checkups. But in addition to peering under the hood, drivers simply need to check their tires. Swapping...

Here's a look at the auto shows taking place on Long Island for the weekend of Oct. 21, 2012 and beyond:

Saturday, Oct. 20: Antique Car & Fashion Show hosted by Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & featuring pre-1949 vehicles; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., spectators $6, with period dress $4, under 13 free; Village Green, Main St., Cutchogue; info: 516-524-3077 . . . Saturday, Oct. 20-Sunday,...

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1966 Corvair Monza convertible owned by Peter Sutich

WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING Political activist Ralph Nader once questioned the safety of early Corvairs, but there’s no shortage of fans for these innovative, rear-engined cars today. TV host Jay Leno owns a ’66 coupe and says the car “still drives a bit like a ‘60s-era Porsche 911.” Sutich finds the criticism an advantage....

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1959 MGA owned by Mitchell Landress

WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING With its sleek lines borrowed from LeMans race cars, the British MGA – sold from 1955 to 1962 -- was a radical departure from its predecessor, the TF. Today, this model is an affordable and coveted alternative to other British roadsters, such as Austin-Healeys and Jaguar XK-Es, which have been priced out of...

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1952 Dodge M37 weapons carrier owned by Paul Dooling

WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING Few classic rides are as rugged as the M37, built, according to Dooling, from 1951 to 1968 as a new and improved version of the World War II Dodge truck and used in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Today, they make great collectibles among enthusiastic followers of vintage military vehicles...

When GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney slammed President Barack Obama during last week's debate for pouring some $90 billion in to clean energy "losers," Obama supporters were quick to point out that Elon Musk's electric car company Tesla, included among those "losers," has actually proven to be a winner. Indeed, the company's share price is up more than 50 percent since...

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1928 Model A Ford Tudor sedan owned by Sal Miliotto

WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING By the mid-1920s, Henry Ford’s legendary Model T was getting long in the tooth and Americans clamored for a more advanced, yet affordable new car. They got it in the form of the hugely popular Model A, built from 1928 to 1931.

“The Model A was introduced as the ‘New Ford Car,’” says Miliotto,...

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1955 Packard Clipper Custom owned by Dan and Kathy Curran

WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING For nearly the first half of the 20th century, the innovative Packards were considered America’s finest luxury car except, perhaps, for the Duesenberg. But by the 1950s, competition – primarily from Cadillac – helped to put Packard’s finances in disarray, even though the company was still...

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1959 Volkswagen Beetle sedan owned by Rich Hallberg

WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING Between 1939 and 2003, over 21 million of the iconic Volkswagen Beetles, or Type 1s, were manufactured and distributed from plants around the world. Today, older models are sought-after collectibles, especially among the strong body of Long Island enthusiasts.

“As the story goes, this...

The only minivan with a four-cylinder engine is losing it for the 2013 model year. Toyota's Sienna will only be available with its 3.5-liter V-6 this year.

"The four-cylinder was discontinued on the Sienna due to low customer demand. Less than 5 percent of Sienna buyers were choosing the four-cylinder," Toyota communications representative Sam Butto told Cars.com.

The minivan...