Final Sea Cliff Classic Car Cruise Night next week

Jim O’Donnell displayed his teal and cream 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air at a weekly classic car cruise night in Sea Cliff on Wednesday.

“My thought was that Glen Cove had one and it went sour, so I decided to try it out in Sea Cliff,” said O’Donnell, 75, treasurer of the Sea Cliff Fire Department.

The Sea Cliff Fire Department’s Classic Car Cruise Night gives locals the chance to display their pre-1997 vehicles each Wednesday on Sea Cliff Avenue between Roslyn and Main avenues.

Cruise night is free for spectators, but car owners are asked to pay $5 to show their hot rods, muscle cars, modified trucks, custom bikes and fire trucks.

Spectators were also given a 10 percent coupon to dine at some of Sea Cliff’s eateries, including Aratas Deli, IL Villagio, the Metropolitan Bistro, Oak Room Tavern and KC Gallaghers.

So far, the cruise nights have raised $500 since it began on June 13. The final cruise night of the season is next Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“The money is used for morale at the fire department, paying for sports tournaments like baseball, bowling and ladder drills,” O’Donnell said.

SEE PHOTOSIn the Garage: LIers' classic rides

Joe Brandes displayed his 1954 M38 U.S. Navy Jeep, which he bought in 2007 restored in honor of his brother, Allen, who died in 1985 of liver cancer. There’s a plaque inside the jeep, on the passenger side dashboard in honor of his brother.

“When this cruise night first started there were at least 25 to 30 cars lining the street, but it has tapered off some,” said Brandes, 68, of Sea Cliff. “Hopefully, we’ll see more next week. It has been a terrific show.”