By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 Each year, car clubs, such as the Crazy Cruisers of Panama City, Florida, celebrate Collector Car Appreciation Day with a special event to honor the occasion. |
SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils have announced that the next Collector Car Appreciation Day will be celebrated July 11, 2014. The date will mark the fifth consecutive commemoration in what is now an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. A recap of the 2013 festivities is highlighted in the latest issue of the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) Driving Force newsletter.
SEMA and its councils will once again seek a Congressional resolution to recognize the day's significance. The industry endeavors to preserve our nation's automotive heritage while providing well-paying, high-skilled jobs nationwide. Collector Car Appreciation Day is a singular tribute to the collector-car industry and the millions of hobbyists it supports.
“With the 2013 celebration now behind us, car enthusiasts and related businesses can begin planning open houses, car cruises, club gatherings and educational events to mark the 2014 commemoration,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “The passion for the collector-car industry and hobby it serves that continues to be demonstrated by thousands nationwide is most clearly evident on this special day.”
The U.S. Senate helped launch Collector Car Appreciation Day by passing Resolutions each year at SAN’s request. The previous resolutions were sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). Senators Tester and Burr have been strong advocates for the automotive hobby in Washington, D.C., and recognize the integral role collector cars have played in fostering our nation’s appreciation for the automobile’s unique historical place in our history. This year, New Mexico; New York; Manitoba; Nova Scotia; Madera County, California; and Washington Parish, Louisiana, joined the U.S. Senate in proclaiming Collector Car Appreciation Day.
The SAN will again maintain and publicize a list of scheduled events to commemorate America’s time-tested love affair with the automobile at semaSAN.com/CCAD. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events can submit the details of their celebration using this link.
For questions, contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or san@sema.org. If you are unable to celebrate on July 11, the SAN encourages events to be scheduled throughout the month of July 2014.