Collector Car Appreciation Day Celebrates the Common Threads of Our Automotive Family

A rich fabric has been woven into our experience as Americans by the automotive hobby and the traditions that guide it. Although the variety of shapes, styles and ages of our prized collector cars is incredibly diverse, sharing our affinity for unique vehicles can create or even strengthen a common lifelong bond between family and friends. On July 13, honoring this time-tested passion among our enthusiast family is perhaps the greatest gift surrounding our hobby’s day of recognition: Collector Car Appreciation Day. For the third year in a row, the second Friday in July will again demonstrate this united spirit. 

“As in the previous two years, the U.S. Senate has again helped launch national Collector Car Appreciation Day by passing an official resolution at the request of the SEMA Action Network (SAN),” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “As a result, thousands of Americans will gather at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. By taking part in these events around the country, these automotive enthusiasts from all generations and walks of life will ensure that their passion is recognized on this special day.”

The bipartisan U.S. Senate Resolution (S.R. 452) was 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, and the resolution reaffirms their understanding of the cultural importance of collector cars. Over the years, states, cities and two Canadian provinces joined the U.S. Senate by passing their own proclamations and resolutions. So far this year, New Mexico, Hawaii, New York and West Virginia are officially recognizing the occasion while several other states and provinces are pursuing similar initiatives.

Individuals, car clubs and business owners have been registering their gatherings for inclusion onwww.SEMAsan.com/CCAD, the SAN website. The complete list of events (current at press time) appears below. However you choose, please pay tribute to our hobby’s special day in your own way by holding or attending a celebration near you. Encourage others to follow suit. Let’s get those cars and trucks out of the garage and onto the road!

LEGISLATIVE QUICK HITS

Colorado Emissions Inspections: A SAN-supported bill that originally sought to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles that are six model years old and newer died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill had been approved by the Senate Transportation Committee, but did not advance further in the legislative process. Current law only exempts vehicles that are four model years old or newer.

Connecticut Antique/Rare/Special-Interest Motor Vehicles: SAN-opposed legislation that threatened to increase the age requirement from 20 to 30 years old for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” died when the legislature adjourned for the year, suffering the same fate as an identical bill last year. The bill had been approved by the Joint Committee on Planning and Development by a narrow 10-9 vote. For the purpose of property taxes, the bill also increased the maximum assessment of these vehicles to $2,500. These special-interest motor vehicles are currently assessed at a rate of $500 and owners pay personal property taxes on that amount.

Hawaii Audio Equipment: Legislation to ban the installation, ownership or use of any car with aftermarket speakers more than 6.5 in. in height or depth, any five-speaker aftermarket system, any aftermarket speaker more than 100 watts and any aftermarket speaker installed external to the passenger compartment or in an open hatch back was deferred from consideration in 2011, with the legislature retaining the option of reviving the bill in 2012. With the adjournment of the legislature for this year, the bill is now formally dead. The measure was discriminatory toward aftermarket products, as it did not seek to limit systems installed by the original vehicle manufacturer or dealer.

Hawaii Low-Mileage Credit: Resolutions urging the city and county of Honolulu to create a 10% vehicle registration credit for residents who drive limited miles in their vehicles were not approved by the House of Representatives before the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the resolutions, the credit would have extended to any resident who is registering a vehicle and can provide information from the two most recent safety inspections showing that less than 3,000 miles were driven between the two inspections. While the resolutions did not carry the weight of law, they did urge Honolulu to correct the unfairness associated with having those residents (including owners of rarely used hobby cars) who make less use of our roads contribute the same amount in fees.

Hawaii Exhaust Noise: SEMA-model legislation that would have allowed vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet an objective noise limit died when legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, car owners would have been issued a certificate of compliance if the exhaust system emitted no more than 95 decibels under a fair and predictable test. The measure would have remedied the enforcement policy currently used by police officers in which exhaust noise citations are prosecuted solely based on the officer’s subjective judgment.

Michigan Historic Vehicles: SAN-supported legislation that would amend the state’s current law to permit historic vehicles with unlimited use as “exhibition” vehicles the entire month of August was passed by the House Transportation Committee. Having already been approved by the full Senate, the bill now moves to the House floor for a vote by all members. Under current state law, use of historic vehicles is limited to participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses, including mechanical testing, but not for general transportation. 

Nebraska Ethanol: Persuaded by the opposition of the SAN, legislation to remove labeling requirements on pumps dispensing ethanol-blended gasoline was “indefinitely postponed.” With the adjournment of the legislature for the year, the bill is now formally dead and would have to be reintroduced in 2013 in order to be reconsidered. Current law requires labeling when gasoline contains 1% or more alcohol, including labels for pumps dispensing E10. The bill would have made it impossible for owners to know whether the gasoline they put into their vehicles contained any ethanol, making unintentional misfueling and engine damage more likely.

New Mexico Collector Cars: Governor Susana Martinez issued a proclamation designating July 13, 2012, as “Collector Car Appreciation Day” in the state. New Mexico joins Hawaii and New York as states that have officially recognized the celebration. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 452 at the SAN’s request to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marked the third commemoration in what has become an annual event.

Pennsylvania Emissions Inspections: Legislation has been introduced to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for 10 years from the date of original registration. Current law only exempts new vehicles that have less than 5,000 miles on their odometer for one year after their first registration.

Vermont Exhaust Systems: A SAN-opposed bill to ban motor-vehicle exhaust systems that increase the noise level above the level emitted by the originally installed system died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, violators would not have passed the state’s required inspection. The bill also did not provide an opportunity for vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet an objective 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test and allowed law enforcement to make subjective judgments on whether an exhaust system increased noise.

Collector Car Appreciation Day Events*

*Current as of June 13, 2012. For a complete schedule of Collector Car Appreciation Day and other SAN-member July events, visit www.semasan.com/CCAD.

ARIZONA

July 13, Glendale
Chilly Bomber’s/Freddy’s Steakburgers Cruise In
Sponsor: Nancy Perry Productions
Info: www.nancyperryproductions.webs.com

July 14, Glendale
Mixteca/Kmart Cruise In
Sponsor: Nancy Perry Productions
Info: www.nancyperryproductions.webs.com

July 14, Mesa
National Collector Car Day East Side Location
Sponsor: Nancy Perry Productions
Info: www.nancyperryproductions.webs.com

July 14, Phoenix
DaddyO’s& Sunset Cruisers Collector Car Appreciation Day Car Show
Sponsor: DaddyO’s Grill and Sunset Cruisers Car Club
Info: Chuck: 602-882-0500

CALIFORNIA

July 5, Half Moon Bay
Cool Harbor Nights
Sponsor: Princeton Seafood Company/ Frank Besnyi
Info: Besnyi@aol.com

July 11, Pomona
Prolong Twilight Cruise
Sponsor: Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
Info: www.museum.nhra.com

July 13, Corona
Collector Car Appreciation Day Open House
Sponsor: Extreme Automotive
Info: 951-371-9730 or leatherman.mary48@gmail.com

July 13, Diamond Bar
3rd Annual SEMA Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: SEMA
Info: san@sema.org

July 13, El Segundo
Drive Your Collector Car to Work Staff Event
Sponsor: Source Interlink Media

July 13, Irvine
Drive Your Collector Car to Work Staff Event
Sponsor: Source Interlink Media

July 13, Santee Lakes
Collector Car Appreciation Picnic
Sponsor: The King Pins
Info: Howard at 619-445-9777

July 14, Newbury Park
Collector Car Appreciation Day–SoCal Cruise
Sponsor: Coachmen Car Club of Ventura County
Info: skeeterrader@gmail.com

July 14, Valencia
SimTec Motorsports After Hours
Sponsor: SimTec Motorsports
Info: SimTecMotorsports@yahoo.com

July 14–15, Santa Clara
Hot San Jose Nights
Sponsor: The Mercury News
Info: www.hotsanjosenights.com

July 21, Tracy
Then and Now Car Show
Sponsor: Tracy City Center Association and City of Tracy
Info: Courtney Campbell: 209-831-6224

COLORADO

July 7, Loveland
5th Annual All American Car Show
Sponsor: Northern Colorado Mustang Car Club
Info: www.allamericancarshow.com or events@ncmcc.org

CONNECTICUT

July 8, Simsbury
11th Annual Charity Benefit Car Show
Sponsor: Valley Collector Car Club Inc.
Info: www.valleycollectorcarclub.org

July 13, Monroe
Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise
Sponsor: Classic Nights Car Club
Info: www.classicnights.com

DELAWARE

July 1, New Castle
39th Annual Rod Run
Sponsor: Delaware Street Rods and One Off Custom
Info: mad19max32@hotmail.com

July 8–15, Wilmington
19th Annual International Convention
Sponsor: International Thunderbird Club
Info: malcolm@intl-tbirdclub.com or www.intl-tbirdclub.com

July 13, Smyrna
Third Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Brenford Auto Museum
Info: 302-653-8330 Reservations Required

FLORIDA

July 12–15, Lake City
Key West Power Cruise
Sponsor: Cheri Copeland
Info: vwcheri@gmail.com

July 13, Tampa
Drive Your Collector Car to Work Staff Event
Sponsor: Source Interlink Media

July 14, Jupiter
3rd Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day Event
Sponsor: Southeast Rods & Customs
Info: 561-753-3279 or www.serodsncustoms.com/index.htm

July 14, Longwood
Downtown Longwood Classic Car Cruise
Sponsor: City of Longwood & The Orlando Bowtie Club
Email: tarasnova@yahoo.com

HAWAII

July 14, Kihei, Maui
Piilani Village Car Show
Sponsor: Maui Classic Cruisers Car Club
Info: Patty Ventura at 808-264-6103
or Scott Borge at 808-344-0996

IDAHO

July 13–15, Boise
Northwest Motorfest
Sponsor: RPM! Productions
Info: www.rpmprod.com/2012_motorfest_main_page.html

ILLINOIS

July 13–15, Joliet
NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing
Sponsor: Nitto Tire
Info: www.nmcadigital.com/IL

July 13, Roselle
Cruise from Augustino’s Deli to The Tilted Kilt
Sponsor: The HERD: Tri-State ’94–’96 Impala SS Enthusiasts
Info: www.theherd.com

July 14, Byron
Midwest Racing Track Day
Sponsor: Midwest Racing
Info: www.midwestracing.net

July 14, Moline
Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise
Sponsor: Quad Cities Cruisers
Info: www.quadcitiescruisers.org

July 14, Rockford
Midwest Racing at Byron Dragway
Sponsor: Midwest Racing
Info: www.midwestracing.net

July 21, Evansville
Evansville Days Car, Truck & Motorcycle Cruise-In
Sponsor: Liberty Courtyard Wine Tasting & Supplies
Info: www.motortopia.com/car-shows/evansville-days-car-truck-motorcycle-cruise-in-8035

IOWA

July 8, Burlington
Strong Cars For Strong Kids Car Show
Sponsor: Burlington Area Community YMCA-YWCA
Info: 319-753-6734 x113 or www.burlingtony.org

July 13, Ames
Customer and Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Arnold Motor Supply
Info: 515/556-5206 or vppublication@isra-online.org

July 13, Ames
Hot Sizzling BBQ
Sponsor: Iowa Street Rod Association
Info: 515-231-3031 or jve37671@aol.com

July 13, Mount Pleasant
Cruise Night
Sponsor: The 20th Century Car Club
Info: 319-385-2119 or ekropa@iwc.edu

July 15–20, Homestead
Heritage Tour
Sponsor: Veteran Motor Car Club of America
Info: RussBees@msn.com

INDIANA

July 13, South Bend
Third Annual National Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Studebaker National Museum
Info: www.studebakermuseum.org

July 14, Goodland
Goodland Car Show
Sponsor: Goodland Town and Goodland Community Church
Info: goodlandcommunitychurch@gmail.com

July 15–19, New Castle
Great Lakes Regional Tour
Sponsor: Veteran Motor Car Club of America
Info: wilkinsondarrel@wmconnect.com

July 27–28, Lafayette
Lafayette Kroozers Hot Summer Nights
Sponsor: Lafayette Kroozers
Info: www.LafayetteKroozers.com

KENTUCKY

July 14, Nicholasville
Cruise-In
Sponsor: Double Kwik BP
Info: hotdodgedart74@yahoo.com

July 19–21, Bowling Green
31st Annual Corvette Homecoming
Sponsor: National Corvette Owners Association
Info: 270-791-2117 or www.corvettehomecoming.com

July 27–28, Elizabethtown
Cruisin’ the Heartland with XFINITY
Sponsor: City of Elizabethtown
Info: Sarah Vaughn, 270-765-6121

July 28–29, Somerset
Somernites Cruise
Sponsor: Somerset/Pulaski Co. Ky.
Info: somernitescruise@yahoo.com

LOUISIANA

July 13, Slidell
Sonic Cruise In
Sponsor: I.R.O.N.S.
Info: 985-643-4224

MARYLAND

July 13, Abingdon
National Collector Car Appreciation Day Car Show
Sponsor: Lowes Cruisers
Info: www.lowescruise.com

July 13, Chesapeake City
Drive Your Collector Car Day
Sponsor: Ron Francis Wiring
Info: www.ronfrancis.com

July 13, Glen Burnie
Cruise Night
Sponsor: Street Survivors of Maryland
Info: Rick: 443-829-5658

MASSACHUSETTS

July 15, Shrewsbury
Chili’s Cruise Night
Sponsor: Chili’s Grill & Bar and Greg’s Restorations
Info: http://chiliscruisenight.com/Home_Page.php

MICHIGAN

July 13, Berkley
Motown Automotive Professionals Nonprofit Car Show
Sponsor: Motown Automotive Professionals
Info: Marcus Simmons, 248-552-8928

July 13, Plymouth
Drive Your Collector Car to Work Staff Event
Sponsor: ROUSH Performance
Info: kevin.mcloughlin@roush.com

July 14, Highland
Hot Summer Nights Car Show & Drive-In Movie
Sponsor: LaFontaine Buick, GMC and Cadillac
Info: 248-467-9476

MINNESOTA

July 13, Fridley
Drive Your Classic Car to Work Day
Sponsor: Friendly Chevrolet

July 13, North St. Paul
Collector Car Appreciation Day Friday Night Cruise
Sponsor: Minnesota Street Rod Association
Info: www.msra.com

July 13, Ortonville
Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise
Sponsor: Big Stone Cruisers
Info: www.bigstonecruisers.com

MISSOURI

July 14, St. Louis
National Collector Car Appreciation Day Celebration
Sponsor: Clean Cut Creations
Info: 314-968-8377 or info@CleanCutCreations.com

NEBRASKA

July 14, Lincoln
10th Annual MCA Mustang and All Ford Show
Sponsor: Midwest Ford Clubs Inc.
Info: brucemargekenn@aol.com

July 14, Papillion
3rd Annual Car Show
Sponsor: Cruisers for the Breath of Life
Info: 402-935-0974 or tmprobyn@fnni.com

July 18–22, Kearny
Cruise Nite Weekend
Sponsor: Central Nebraska Auto Club
Info: www.cruisenitekearney.com

NEVADA

July 13, Moapa
Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise-In
Sponsor: Cactus Cruisers Car Club
Info: 702-339-3410

NEW HAMPSHIRE

July 13, Exeter
Black Cat Cruise Night
Sponsors: Kustom Kings of New Hampshire, Foss Motors of Exeter
Info: Jim, 603-793–8126

July 15, Holderness
3rd Annual Acton Custom Open House and Collector Car Appreciation Day Event
Sponsor: Acton Custom Enterprises LLC
Info: 603-279-0241 or www.actoncustom.com

NEW JERSEY

July 13, Cherry Hill
National Collector Car Appreciation Day Car Show
Sponsor: American Collectors Insurance Inc.
Info: www.AmericanCollectors.com/NCCAD

July 13, Somerville
Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise-In
Sponsor: Raritan River Region of the Cadillac LaSalle Club
Info: www.rrrclc.org

July 13, Woodstown
Third Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise
Sponsor: South Jersey Region AACA
Info: www.sjraaca.com

NEW MEXICO

July 13, Portales
Second Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day Car Show
Sponsor: Desert Cruzers
Info: www.desertcruzerscarclub.com

July 14, Albuquerque
2012 Mopar Challenge Series–3rd Race
Sponsor: Mopar Muscle Club of NM
Info: www.moparclub.com or 505-896-8115

NEW YORK

July 13, Kenmore
Paddock Chevrolet 14th Annual Super Cruise 2012
Sponsor: Paddock Chevrolet
Info: Bill W., 716-876-0945 x114 or Joe H., 716-362-7663 x307

July 13, Sharon Springs
Cruise-In On Friday Night
Sponsor: Dairyland Drive-in and Big Al’s Hot Rod Shop
Info: www.carcruisein.com or Bigal55@frontiernet.net

July 13–15, Norwich
Drive your classic car to the Museum, receive $3 off regular adult admission
Sponsor: Northeast Classic Car Museum
Info: www.classiccarmuseum.org

NORTH CAROLINA

July 13, Denver
Collector Car Appreciation Day Fun Run
Sponsor: Steele Rubber Products
Info: Eric Saltrick, esaltrick@steelerubber.com

July 13, Goldsboro
Third Annual Collector Car Day Cruise
Sponsor: Wayne County Cruisers
Info: www.waynecountycruisers.com

July 28–29, Concord
ImportAlliance Summer Meet 2012
Sponsor: ImportAlliance
Info: www.ImportAlliance.org

OHIO

July 13, Beavercreek
Friday Night Cruise-In
Sponsor: Greene County Antique & Classic Car Club
Info: www.greenecarclub.com

OKLAHOMA

July 13, Choctaw
National Collector Car Appreciation Day Car Show
Sponsor: Central Oklahoma MOPAR Association/Sonic
Info: mrmagnum@hotmail.com

OREGON

July 7, Roseburg
30th Show-N-Shine
Sponsor: Stray Angels Car Club
Info: www.strayangelscarclub.com

July 14, Portland
Hot Rod Nights
Sponsor: New Copper Penny, Coors Light, FaSStAction.com
Info: www.FaSStAction.com

PENNSYLVANIA

July 8, Allentown
6th Annual Car Show
Sponsor: Penn Mustangs
Info: www.pennmustangs.com/carshow

July 13–14, Alum Bank
25th Annual Alum Bank Classic Weekend Car Show
Sponsor: Alum Bank Community Fire Company
Info: mtbclassics@yahoo.com

July 13–14, York
11th Annual Musclecar Madness at York Reunion
Sponsor: York Nostalgia
Info: 717-757-2720
or www.yorknostalgia.com

July 14, Lewistown
Keystone State Muscle Cars Summer Cruise Nights
Sponsor: Keystone State Muscle Cars
Info: 717-348-0630 or badasspony@rocketmail.com

July 15, Gettysburg
British Invade Gettysburg
Sponsor: The Lancaster County MG Club
Info: www.lancomgclub.com

SOUTH CAROLINA

July 14, Charleston
Collector Car Appreciation Day at Brittlebank Park
Sponsor: Low Country Model A Ford Club
Info: hughh41@yahoo.com

July 14, West Columbia
Fat Boys Cruise-In
Sponsor: Columbia Classic Chevy Club
Info: http://clubs.hemmings.com/columbiaclassicchevyclub/

TENNESSEE

July 13, Goodlettsville
Tennessee Speed Sport Drive Your Classic to Work
Sponsor: P&E Distributors Inc.

July 13, Knoxville
Lokar Company Cruise-in
Sponsor: Lokar Inc.
Info: brian@lokar.com

July 13, Memphis
2012 Collector Car Appreciation Day Memphis Cruise-in
Sponsor: Memphis Classic Chevy Club
Info: info@memphisclassicchevys.com

July 13–14, Johnson City
4th Annual Car Show and Borla Open House
Sponsor: Borla Performance Industries & Carter County Car Club
Info: www.borla.com/carshow

July 14, Antioch
Collector Car and Customer Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Gary Mathews Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram of Nashville
Info: jjarvis@gm-autogroup.com

TEXAS

July 13, Castroville
3rd Annual National Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Mopar Muscle Club of San Antonio
Info: jmmoore18@satx.rr.com

July 13, San Antonio
Drive Your Hot Rod to Work Day
Sponsor: Vintage Air
Info: rlove@vintageair.com

July 13, Dallas
3rd Annual Celebration of the National Collector Car Appreciation Day at Keller’s Drive In
Sponsor: Dallas Area Classic Chevys
Info: www.DallasClassicChevy.com

July 14, Kingsville
Street Rods & More Classic Car Show
Sponsor: Hiram Perez Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Info: 361-593-2642 or 361-460-1296

July 14, Rowlett
2nd Annual Celebration of the National Collector Car Appreciation Day and Giant Garage Sale
Sponsor: North Texas Region Lincoln and Continental Owners Club
Info: joehillandassociates@verizon.net

July 14, Fairview
Show and Shine Collector Car Appreciation Show
Sponsor: Morning Maniacs
Info: wendy.meagher@att.net

VERMONT

July 13, Bennington
Hemmings’ Annual National Collector Car Day Cruise-in to the Drive-in
Sponsor: Hemmings Motor News
Info: 800/227-4373 or www.hemmings.com/events/cruiseins.html

VIRGINIA

July 13, Virginia Peninsula
Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Virginia Peninsula Car Club Council
Info: halhartel@gmail.com

WASHINGTON

July 8, Vancouver
Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Fort Vancouver/Rose City Region Club of AACA
Info: fam36@comcast.net

July 13, Olympia
Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise-In
Sponsor: Corvette & High Performance
Info: 360-754-7890 or www.corvhp.com

July 13–15, Spokane
Early Ford V8 Club Swap Meet & Show & Shine
Sponsor: Early Ford V8 Car Club
Info: 509-994-4924 or ceasterly65@gmail.com

WISCONSIN

July 12–15, Iola
40th Anniversary Old Car Show
Info: information@iolaoldcarshow.com or 715-445-4000

July 13, Kenosha
National Collector Car Appreciation Day
Sponsor: Kenosha Car Club
Info: 262-652-5641