SEMA News—October 2011
 Collector Car Appreciation Day commemorated at Speedway Motors in Lincoln, Nebraska. |
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Industry and Enthusiasts Celebrate Second Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day
FROM THE HILL
On July 8, 2011, SEMA members joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts across the country to celebrate the second annual Collector Car Appreciation Day. More than 200 events—double last year’s total—were held in the United States and Canada to commemorate the day, which had been designated as the result of a SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution (S. Res. 154) sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). The resolution recognizes “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”
Local governments acknowledged the day as well, with Las Vegas, Nevada; Madera County, California; and the City of Troy, New York, issuing official proclamations to recognize the holiday. At the request of State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Chairman Assemblyman Bill Reilich, New York passed its own resolution designating July 8, 2011, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. The Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and Manitoba followed suit north of the border, extending the celebration to National Automotive Heritage Week (Prince Edward Island) and Automotive Heritage Month (Manitoba).
 SEMA Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs Stuart Gosswein presents Senate Resolution 154 to Laura Bergan, Vice president of marketing at American Collectors Insurance, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. |
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 Hundreds of enthusiasts gathered at a car show sponsored by Borla Performance Exhaust in Oxnard, California. |
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 Carlisle Events Co-Owner Bill Miller Jr. (far right) presented Collector Car Appreciation Day awards to attendees at the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals. Joining him were State Representative Stephen Bloom (second from left), SEMA Congressional Affairs Manager Dan Sadowski (fourth from left) and Bob DeSousa, state director for Senator Pat Toomey (third from right). |
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 JE Pistons NMRA/NMCA West Coast Shootout winners hold a copy of the resolution at the Auto Club Speedway. |
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Toyota Speedway treated collector-car owners to a pre-race parade lap around the track.
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 Steele Rubber Products opened its doors for a special Collector Car Appreciation Day open house and employee event in Denver, North Carolina. |
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Toyota Speedway treated collector-car owners to a pre-race parade lap around the track.
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 Collector Car ribbon at Speedway Motors, Lincoln, Nebraska. |
SEMA-member companies took part in a big way this year. Throughout the country, SEMA members held events that included car cruises and shows, barbecues, drive-in movies, museum discounts and open houses. From coast to coast, Collector Car Appreciation Day is quickly becoming a national event to pay tribute to the classic-automotive industry and hobby.
SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils support Collector Car Appreciation Day. Next year’s third annual event is scheduled for the weekend of July 13, 2012.
SEMA Member Companies That Hosted Events
 SEMA member Alex Borla (center) visited with attendees. |
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 Vehicles on display at the Eastwood Co./Street Rodder magazine event. |
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 Hundreds of classic cars and restorations were present at the Goodguys PPG Nationals held in Columbus, Ohio. |
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 Staff at Source Interlink Media in El Segundo, California, enjoyed a ride to celebrate Collector Car Appreciation Day. |
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K&N Filter Co. hosted a car cruise at its headquarters in Riverside, California.
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 Hot Rod and Custom Stuff in Escondido, California, celebrate the event with a “customer/employee appreciation night.” |
