Senate Resolution 271 officially recognizes July 12, 2019 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day,” and a similar resolution has been introduced as House Res. 108 to recognize the 10th commemoration of “an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society,” notes the SEMA Action Network.
The lobbying arm of the Specialty Equipment Market Association said that the resolutions were introduced by the co-chairs of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, including Sen. Richard Burr (North Carolina), Sen. Jon Tester (Montana), Rep. Bill Posey (Florida) and Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (Georgia).
“These Congressional leaders are strong advocates for the automotive hobby in Washington, D.C.,” The SEMA Action Network noted. “The Caucus is an informal, non-partisan member organization that pays tribute to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.”
The SEMA group encourages car enthusiasts across the country to celebrate Collector Car Appreciation Day with car shows and other activities that share the automotive passion with communities.
It also has set up a website that lists events taking place, not only in the U.S. but in Canada.
Additional events can be added through another site.
I think it is about time that the collector car family is recognized by the government, We spend a lot of effort, money, time spent sharing our knowledge with others, forming friendships over a universal appreciation of cars
And let’s not forget about the economy stimulating money we hemorrhage every time we just "have to have that". I’m a GTO guy, and have watched them go from "couldn’t sell it" in the mid ”70’s to today’s "better triple check ‘fore you buy a doctored Tempest or monkeyed LeMans" for $50k+.
Thank you aftermarket- OPG, NPD, and for me G8GTOTransAm.com (my new toy is a 40th anniversary ’04; really a Holden Monaro, but it’s a manual and bright red… and I love ’em all, even the much hated Nova/Omega/Ventura/Apollo based ’74, and it’s one year only platform older brother, the ’73).
I keep receipts, but I couldn’t tell ya how much I spend on car stuff; less than halfway through adding for this msg, I realized that I am insane and, as the song says: "Lovin’ Every Minute Of It". I support the American aftermarket- I have WeatherTech mats in all my vehicles, I buy Goodyear tires, I use a local shop run by a car-mad entrepreneur (shout-out to Matt’s Automotive Service in Fargo ND, who took on the Holden at more than fair rates when other shops passed or wanted "special consideration"), and if I can’t get an American part, I go through the club’s etc and buy Australian through the California sources. All of this is taxed, and provides jobs for folks who might not even know what a GTO is, and that’s OK.
‘Bout time that folks recognized that we’re an economic engine, not aging juvenile delinquents trying to recapture our youth (good Lord, save for the "ahem" physical aspects, I wouldn’t be 17 again for anything).
Let’s see what we can do to bring hands on to the screen addicted young ‘uns- I’ve always found wrenching far more satisfying than touching glass, as I am now.
I’m always very suspicious of anything that comes from the government. So my first response to this is to ask what strings are attached?
I think the idea of a day to recognize the hobby/ industry is a good thing. The vintage, special interest, Motorsport juggernaut is not going to fade away soon. But, there are a growing number of political special interest groups and law makers who are working diligently to get it all shut down through increasing taxation and ecological mandates that Will be crafted to extract maximum revenue until it is made obsolete and outside of the economic means of most people.