September 2011

 

 

 

Car clubs, enthusiast organizations and affiliated businesses hosted more than 200 events double last year's total in states across the country to commemorate the second annual Collector Car Appreciation Day, held this year on July 8. Designated by U.S. Senate Resolution 154, events ranging from car cruises and shows to small-business open houses and special offers were held to honor the cultural and educational importance of collector cars. 

 

"The Senate resolution creating Collector Car Appreciation Day continues to validate what we already know," said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "Americans, especially SEMA Action Network (SAN) members, love their cars. By taking part in these events around the country, these automotive enthusiasts ensured that this passion was honored and recognized." 

 

Sponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Richard Burr (R-NC), the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 154 at the request of the SEMA Action Network to mark the second commemoration in what has become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.

 

"We appreciate the thousands of Americans who gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation¹s automotive heritage," McDonald added. "The SAN¹s commitment to preserving and promoting the automotive restoration hobby through its projects and programs is evident in this special day. We look forward to even more celebrations in the years to come." 

 

Local governments participated in Collector Car Appreciation Day as well, with Las Vegas; Madera County, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and the City of Troy, New York, issuing official proclamations. At the request of Assemblyman Bill Reilich, New York passed its own resolution designating July 8, 2011, as Collector Car Appreciation Day. California State Senator Tom Berryhill also approved a member resolution recognizing the day, and Governor Susana Martinez issued an official proclamation recognizing Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state of New Mexico. The Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and Manitoba followed suit, extending the celebration to National Automotive Heritage Week (Prince Edward Island) and Automotive Heritage Month (Manitoba).

 

 

 

 

Owner: Jim Elliott

Forest Hills, New York

 

My fascination with cars from an early age has resulted in my 41st project vehicle‹the Elliott-Healey 6000. The original concept began in late 2001 as a therapeutic project following 9/11 to remind me of earlier and happier times. The cars that I have enjoyed the most have been Austin-Healeys: a '56 100M and a '62 3000, both treated to small-block Chevrolet transplants. I pursued a number of leads through the Internet and Hemmings in order to locate the ideal candidate that would benefit from a transplant. In 2002, I was lucky enough to find a BJ7 that had been raced at Bridgehampton and had been sitting in various Long Island garages since 1972 awaiting restoration. I had already planned chassis upgrades, which gradually solidified into custom framerails and a conversion to a narrowed Chrysler rear axle to replace the original underslung layout with a modern four-link coil-over shock design.

 

The engine installed is a GM LS3, and the body is stainless steel and aluminum. On the interior, the instrumentation was refinished and adapted, and total modern rewiring of the car took place to include air conditioning and accommodate power windows and door locks. Connolly leather seats were installed as well as a dash in Bermuda blue. The net result is that only 15% of the original donor car remains, including the front crossmember, steering and suspension and windshield. The car weighs in at 2,620 lbs., light enough to achieve 60 mph in 4 seconds.

 

Although consolidating many styling cues of the Healey factory rally cars, it has been described as inspired by the modified sports cars of the ¹60s to a restomod on steroids. When I found out that Donald Healey¹s second effort at making cars resulted in the Healey-Elliott in 1946 (the year of my birth), I felt it only fitting to christen this the Elliott-Healey, especially as there is nothing Austin left in it! I felt that if Donald Healey could make a Healey Elliott, then Jim Elliott could make an Elliott-Healey!

 

 

 

 

Arkansas Bonded Titles: SAN-supported legislation to create a less expensive bonded title procedure for titling assembled vehicles was signed into law by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe. The new procedure calculates the amount of the bond as equal to the value of the vehicle. Prior to the enactment of the bill, all vehicle owners applying for a bonded title had to post a bond of 1.5 times the value of the vehicle. The bill also permits assembled vehicles to be bought and sold in inoperable condition.  Arkansas defines an assembled vehicle as a vehicle constructed by a collector from parts obtained from a variety of different sources on various occasions. 

 

Colorado Collector Vehicles: A SAN-supported bill to reorganize and simplify the various laws dealing with collector cars was approved by the Colorado legislature and signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper.  The consolidation was supported by the Collector Car Council of Colorado, a long-time SAN member that works to promote pro-hobby legislation in the state. Reorganizing the statutes into one location in the code will help the Department of Revenue, law enforcement, county clerks and enthusiasts more easily locate and apply state law governing the titling and registration of collector vehicles.

 

Iowa Ethanol-Blended Gasoline: SAN-opposed legislation to change labeling requirements on gas pumps across the state to only require labeling for unblended gasoline and E85 was defeated. Current law in Iowa requires labeling when gasoline is blended with any amount of ethanol. If the bill had been enacted, it would have removed labeling requirements for ethanol-blended gasoline containing 15% or less ethanol, thereby increasing the risk of misfueling and potential engine damage. Unblended gas is required to be labeled, but no guarantee was made that unblended gas would be available.

 

Maine Custom Vehicles: A SAN-supported bill to include a wider-range of vehicles in the state¹s definition of a custom vehicle by changing the eligibility requirement from 30 to 25 years old and older was signed into law by Maine Governor Paul LePage. The new law also expands the weight limit for custom vehicles, from 6,000 to 10,000 lbs. and clarifies that custom vehicles are held only to special inspection criteria promulgated by the chief of the state police.

 

Missouri Inoperable Vehicles: Legislation opposed by the SAN that would permit certain counties in Missouri to remove inoperable motor vehicles from private property died. The bill would have allowed these counties to carry out nuisance-abatement ordinances, including the removal of cars deemed to be derelict. The SAN continues to support efforts to protect owners of inoperable vehicles from unreasonable seizures, provided these cars are concealed from ordinary public view.

 

 

 

 

 

September 11, Palmer

10th Annual Freedom Flag Run

Sponsor: North Star Motor Speedway

and 49th State Street Rodders

Information: akstreetrodders.com or 907/745-2652

 

September 18, Anchorage

Looky Here Cruz

Sponsor: Midnight Sun Street Rod Association

Information: 907/337-7345 or 907/440-7014

or www.midnightsunsra.org

 

 

September 24–25, Surprise

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Rounds 11–12

Information: www.lucasoiloffroadracing.com

 

 

September 17, Palo Alto

10th Annual Car Show

Sponsor: Carlsen Volvo

Information: www.carlsenvolvo.com 

 

September 24, Costa Mesa

12th Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure

Information: www.cruisinforacure.com

 

 

September 10, Springfield

62nd Illinois Secretary of State Car Show

Information: www.cyberdriveillinois.com 

or 217/557-7220

 

 

September 1–4, Auburn

Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction, Swap Meet

& Car Corral

Sponsor: Carlisle Events

Information: www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events/auburn-fall 

 

September 16–18, Indianapolis

1st Wix Filters Speedway Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association

Information: www.good-guys.com 

 

September 23–25, Fairmount

32nd Annual James Dean Run

Sponsor: O’Reilly Auto Parts

Information: 765/948-3853 or jamesdeanrun@aol.com

 

 

September 2–4, Kansas City

10th Annual Mid-Western Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association

Information: www.good-guys.com

 

 

September 29–October 2, Bowling Green

13th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA All Ford World Finals

Sponsor: NMRA

Information: www.nmradigital.com

 

 

September 10, Glen Burnie

Lost in the 50’s “Patriotic Show”

Information: 410/255-6978

 

September 11, Urbana

AACA Car Show & Flea Market

Sponsor: Heart of Maryland Classic Chevy Club

Information: robburchill@comcast.net or 307/829-2784

 

September 18–19, Frederick

19th Annual Alzheimers Benefit Car and Truck Show

Sponsor: Heart of Maryland Classic Chevy Club

Information: www.hmccc.50G.com or 567hmccc@comcast.net

 

 

September 5, Attleboro

30th Annual Bristol County Labor Day Cruise

Sponsor: Bristol County Street Roads

Information: 508/222-7518

 

September 11, Lancaster

39th Annual Ty-Rods Old Timers Car Show

Sponsor: Ty-Rods

Information: www.ty-rods.org

 

 

September 16–18, Kalamazoo

NSRA Street Road Nationals North

Sponsor: National Street Rod Association

Information: www.nsra-usa.com

 

 

September 18, Primm

Off Road Swap Meet

Information: www.rgcshows.com

 

 

September 18, Epping

Old Fashioned Sunday!

Sponsor: Cam Snapper Club

Information: 603/679-8001 or www.newenglanddragway.com

 

 

September 22–25, Wildwood

18th Annual Boardwalk Classic Car Show

Information: 609/523-8051

 

 

September 9–10, Clovis

15th Annual Run to Hillcrest

Sponsor: Desert Cruzers Car Club

Information: 575/763-7893 or 575/693-2511

 

 

September 4, Lancaster

28th Annual Autumn Sports Classic Car Show

Sponsor: The Buffalo Octagon Association

Information: buffalomg.com 

 

September 8–11, Lake George

23rd Annual Adirondack Car Show

Sponsor: Albany Street Rods

Information: 503/926-4346

 

 

September 2–4, Columbus

33rd Annual NMRA Ford Expo

Sponsor: NMRA

Information: www.nmradigital.com

 

 

September 28–October 2, Carlisle

Fall Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet & Corral

Sponsor: Carlisle Events

Information: www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events/fall-carlisle

 

 

September 30–October 2, East Ridge

Buick Street Rod Nationals

Sponsor: Buick Street Rod Association

Information: www.buickrods.org

 

 

September 30–October 2, Fort Worth

19th Annual Lone Star Nationals

Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association

Information: www.good-guys.com

 

 

September 23–25, Burlington

NSRA Northeast Nationals

Sponsor: National Street Rod Association

Information: www.nsra-usa.com 

 

September 30–October 2, West Dover

Speckled Hen Tour

Information: 860/535-1002 or

glegare@sbcglobal.net

 

 

September 1–5, Spokane

32nd International Mustang Meet

Sponsor: Inland Empire Mustang Club

Information: www.inlandempiremustangclub.com

 

 

September 18, Beloit

35th Annual Beloit Lions Autorama

Sponsor: Beloit Evening Lions Club, Coachmen Street

Rod Club and Blue Ribbon Classic Chevy Club

Information: www.beloitautorama.com or 608/290-3628

 

September 24, Green Bay

Second Annual MMM Car Show

Sponsor: Models, Monsters and Motors

Information: http://modelsmonstersandmotors.com/Home.html 

 

 

 

 

Hot Rodders With Heart: The Street-Tiques Give Back to the Community

 

In existence since 1972, the Street-Tiques of Asheville North Carolina Car Club celebrated Collector Car Appreciation Day on Sunday, July 10, at the home of its presidents, Kenny and Sandra Buckner. The Buckners hosted a BBQ dinner on their lawn, which was complemented by club members’ colorful street rods. “A club meeting followed, and everyone was reminded to appreciate the efforts of our SAN representatives in Washington, D.C., who have made improvements nationwide in the statues that govern our hobby,” said club member Ann Buckner. The club took advantage of the meeting to plan its event to improve the lives of children with illnesses. On August 13, the Street-Tiques of Asheville hosted its 7th annual car show to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The e event was held at the Land of the Sky Shrine Club in Swannanoa, North Carolina. According to the Buckners, the day was filled with cash giveaways, door prizes, a raffle for a midsize ATV, games, an indoor yard sale, silent and regular auctions and a BBQ dinner, in addition to music and activities led by DJ Malcolm Ingle. For more information on the Street-Tiques of Asheville, contact Ann Buckner at 828/648-7461 or lilorfann@bellsouth.net.