A Time to Recognize the Hobby

SEMA News—October 2014

EVENTS

A Time to Recognize the Hobby

SEMA Members Celebrate Fifth Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day

By Colby Martin

	SEMA-member company representatives, automotive media and local car enthusiasts joined SEMA staff for the association’s fifth-annual Collector Car Appreciation Day celebration at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California

On July 11, 2014, SEMA members joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the fifth annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). A wide range of official events were held in the United States, Canada and Australia to commemorate the day, designated by SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 493, which was sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator Mark Begich (D-AK).

The U.S. Senate Resolution recognized “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.” Lawmakers in states, counties and local areas all over the country and Canada followed the Senate’s lead. The states of California, Louisiana and New Mexico, along with the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, adopted their own resolutions commemorating the day.

Intended to celebrate classics of the past and the future, the day was marked by nearly 150 official events that included car-club cruise-ins, open houses at SEMA-member companies, specialty shows at automobile museums and “drive your collector car to work” displays. Scores of other unofficial events included car shows, picnics and “holiday sales” in honor of the occasion. A detailed summary and online photo gallery of CCAD celebrations are available on the SEMA Action Network’s website at www.SEMAsan.com/ccad.

CCAD is supported by SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils.

Smiley’s Custom Headers celebrated CCAD in Upland, California, with a cruise-in at the Sizzlin’ Restaurant on Route 66.		Mick’s U.S. Musclecars and Classics from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, celebrated with an impressive array of vintage American vehicles.

The Crazy Cruisers Car Club of Panama City, Florida, hosted its Fifth Annual National CCAD Show and Shine, which included a visit from honorary member Russ Deane (red shirt, middle), SEMA’s general counsel.		With help from COMP Performance Group and Martin & Co., the July 10 Concert Cruise-In at Fontanel included a vehicle display and tribute to CCAD live on stage in Nashville, Tennessee.

Coker Tire celebrated with an employee cruise-in at its facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee.		The city of Las Vegas celebrated CCAD with many enthusiasts driving their cars to city hall to be displayed. Art Kam, president of the Las Vegas Cruisin’ Association, received the city’s CCAD proclamation during a city council meeting.

York Nostalgia celebrated CCAD at its 13th Annual Musclecar Madness, which was held in York, Pennsylvania, on July 11–12. ididit Inc. honored CCAD during the company’s Convoy to Columbus, Ohio, which began in Tecumseh, Michigan, and finished at the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus.		West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell, chairman of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, spoke to a crowd at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals about his passion for the industry and the importance of the CCAD celebration. Courtesy of Bob Wenzelburger

The Filling Station in Lebanon, Oregon, held its third annual open house and cruise-in to celebrate CCAD.		Ben Chase of Keystone Automotive of Corona, California, drove his ’70 Chevelle to work in honor of CCAD.

Marc Meadors (left) and Gary Meadors of Goodguys joined HRIA Chair Rick Love (second left) of Vintage Air and Chair-Elect John McLeod (right) of Classic Instruments to salute CCAD at the Goodguys 17th PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.		QA1 in Lakeville, Minnesota, hosted an open house and cruise.

Hemmings Motor News held a cruise-in at its headquarters in Bennington, Vermont, on Friday, July 11.		The Antique Automobile Club of America museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, celebrated with a gathering of antique cars. Courtesy of Donnie Panthen

Extreme Automotive in Corona, California, hosted an open house at its shop.		Volkswagen Group of America hosted a very diverse collection of vehicles for its event in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

MSD Performance of El Paso, Texas, hosted a drive-in movie and car gathering to celebrate. SEMA Member CCAD Event Hosts AACA Museum—Hershey, PA American Modern Insurance Group—Cincinnati, OH Canepa—Scotts Valley, CA Carlisle Events—Carlisle, PA Coker Tire Co.—Chattanooga, TN COMP Performance Group—Whites Creek, TN D&S Automotive—Mentor, OH Eastwood Co.—Pottstown, PA Eckler Industries—Titusville, FL Extreme Automotive—Corona, CA Family Events—Indianapolis, IN The Filling Station—Lebanon, OR Goodguys Rod & Custom Association—Columbus, OH Hagerty Classic Cars Magazine—Birmingham, MI Hemmings Motor News—Bennington, VT didit Inc.—Tecumseh, MI Kee Auto Top Manufacturing Co.—Charlotte, NC Keystone Automotive—Corona, CA Mishimoto Automotive—New Castle, DE MSD Performance—El Paso, TX Nancy Perry Productions—Phoenix, AZ New Hampshire Motor Speedway/NASCAR—Loudon, NH NOPI—Myrtle Beach, SC Petersen Automotive Museum—Los Angeles, CA QA1—Lakeville, MN Smiley’s Custom Headers—Upland, CA Speedway Motors, Inc.—Lincoln, NE Steele Rubber Products—Denver, NC Volkswagen Group of America—Auburn Hills, MI Walker Tire & Quick Nick’s Service Centers—Lincoln, NE York Nostalgia—York, PA		The CCAD Cruise-In hosted by Steele Rubber Products in Denver, North Carolina, attracted local legislators and business leaders. Matt Agosta (third left), president of Steele Rubber Products and an ARMO select committee member, addressed the crowd. Nancy Perry Productions celebrated with a two-day collector car show in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. Pictured here (from left) are former SEMA intern Kevin May, Nancy Perry, Kristi Menzler-Becker and Chris Thomson of Airaid.