By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
SEMA members joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the fifth annual Collector Car Appreciation Day, which was held this year on Friday, July 11. | |
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 a SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 493 (S. Res. 493) sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK).
The U.S. Senate 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.” 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 resolution commemorating the day.
Intended to celebrate the classics of the past and the future, the nearly 150 official events 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.
CCAD is supported by SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils. Read a detailed summary of the events held across the nation.
The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is posting a recap of CCAD events worldwide in an online gallery found on the celebration's official homepage. To that end, please send us your event photos, including any that highlight the presentation of the U.S. Senate resolution. E-mail your pictures to SAN Director Colby Martin at san@sema.org with "2014 CCAD Event Photos" as the subject line. Include your event details (name, date, city, state and host) in your message as well.
 Mick's U.S. Musclecars and Classics from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, celebrated CCAD, July 13, 2014, with an impressive array of vintage American vehicles. |  Ben Chase of Keystone Automotive of Corona, California, drove his ’70 Chevelle to work in honor of CCAD, Friday, July 11, 2014. | |
 On July 11, 2014, Smiley's Custom Headers celebrated CCAD in Upland, California, with a cruise at the Sizzlin' Restaurant on Route 66. |  The Crazy Cruisers Car Club of Panama City, Florida, hosted their Fifth Annual National CCAD Show and Shine, Saturday, July 12, which included a visit from honorary member Russ Deane, SEMA’s general counsel. | |
 ididit Inc. honored CCAD during the company’s Convoy To Columbus that began in Tecumseh, Michigan, and finished at the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. |  Volkswagen Group of America (VWGOA) hosted a very diverse collection of vehicles for their Collector Car Cruise-in in Auburn Hills, Michigan, July 11, 2014. | |
 The City of Las Vegas, Nevada, celebrated Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 2, 2014, 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 that was presented during the City Council meeting. |  Marc and Gary Meadors of Goodguys joined HRIA Chair Rick Love of Vintage Air and incoming Chair John McLeod of Classic Instruments to salute CCAD, Friday, July 11. The Goodguys 17th PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, attracted more than 6,000 ’72-and-older hot rods, customs and classics to the Ohio Expo Center. | |
 On Friday, July 11, West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell (left), chairman of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, spoke to the crowd at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals about his passion for the industry and the importance of the Collector Car Appreciation Day celebration. |  Coker Tire celebrated CCAD with an employee cruise-in at their facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 11, 2014. | |
 With help from COMP Performance Group and Martin & Company, the July 10 Concert Cruise-In at Fontanel included a vehicle display and tribute to the CCAD Senate Resolution live on stage in Nashville, Tennessee. |  In addition to show cars, the CCAD Cruise-In hosted by Steele Rubber Products, July 11, in Denver, North Carolina, attracted Rep. Justin Saine from the North Carolina House of Representatives, President Ken Kindley from the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director Cliff Brumfield from the Lincoln County Economic Development Association. Matt Agosta, president of Steele Rubber Products Inc. and an ARMO Select Committee member, addresses the crowd above. |