Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Automotive Lift Institute, Petty's Garage, Motorz, University of the Aftermarket Foundation, and more.

The U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 176 (S. Res. 176) designating July 12, 2013, as Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). The Resolution was requested by SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils.

Walt Arfons, a mechanical engineer and champion drag racer credited for building the first jet-engine dragster, died of pneumonia, June 4, at a hospital in Akron, Ohio. He was 96.

The ’14 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab is now available for measuring and product fit-up at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, Thursday and Friday, June 27–28, from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., for SEMA manufacturer members only.

TASCA TO MAKE FIRST FUNNY CAR RUNS AT NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY: Bob Tasca III has raced every car he has owned down the track at New England Dragway except for one—his 8,000-hp Funny Car. That will change Friday when the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series takes to the Northeast track for the first time...

KGP Photography has some new shots of the ’15 Ford Mustang, revealing some previously unseen details.

The ’14 Chevrolet Silverado CAD information is now available through SEMA’s Technology Transfer program. The data is for the Silverado 1500 2WD/4WD Crew Cab model only.

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved HR 1960, the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill includes a provision to end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, California.

Pro-hobby legislation to allow a single license plate for attachment at the rear of the vehicle and a separate bill to increase the emissions inspection period from an annual requirement to every five years died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

SEMA-opposed legislation that raised the assessed value of antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles, along with placing a cap on the number of miles those vehicles can be driven, died when the legislature adjourned for the year.