<< Back to Driving Force, July 2012
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
New Mexico Council of Car Clubs Shines in the Land of Enchantment
Eight car clubs originally founded the New Mexico Council of Car Clubs in 1977. The council’s goal was to foster cooperation among various car clubs, to organize and promote events that were larger than one club could operate on their own, to create a calendar of car-oriented events for club members and serve as a clearinghouse of automotive information for New Mexico. Since then, the group has grown to include a membership of more than 70 clubs throughout the state that reaches hundreds of people involved with the automotive hobby. The heavy lifting continues to be performed by volunteers from the council’s member car clubs.
The council now produces a calendar of events and photo archive for New Mexico and the surrounding area, which is posted on a dedicated website (www.nmcarcouncil.net). The group also sponsors the area’s largest swap meet and car show, in addition to an annual summer picnic. The council promotes charitable events, provides cars for these events and collects donations for the charities involved. Vehicles and support have also been provided to schools, churches, civic groups and community events over the years. With help from the SAN, information about pending changes in laws and regulations that affect car ownership, driving, maintenance and insurance is distributed to the member clubs.
In 2011, the council requested the governor’s office to join in the national celebration of collector cars on July 8. An official State Proclamation was issued to mark the date as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” The council celebrated with a cruise down Central Avenue, a hamburger fry at a local restoration shop and an informal car show in the parking lot. In 2012, the request was made again, and Governor Susana Martinez proclaimed July 13, 2012, as “Collector Car Appreciation Day” with another official Proclamation. A cruise and BBQ are planned for this year’s festivities.