COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY
COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY
Each year on the second Friday in July we celebrate Collector Car Appreciation Day. This day recognizes the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.
#CollectorCarAppreciationDay
Americans have had a fascination with automobiles since the first U.S. horseless carriage was demonstrated in 1893 by the Duryea Motor Wagon Company. The romance of the motor took us from rough country roads to iconic highways and byways. We were also able to stretch our legs and cross the country more independently than ever before. The urge to go faster, fleeter and finer were inspirations for design and ingenuity. Additionally, assembly lines made cars more affordable.
The appeal of the automobile influenced the American sense of adventure. Nostalgia, perseverance, and exploration are the topics of the day. Surprisingly, the automobile and the horse shared the road for a time causing much confusion. Stop signs and signal lights were non-existent. Rules of the road were not yet established. Still, motor companies began to tailor their designs to a public demanding a particular style.
Today, the collectors of these bygone eras keep history and memories alive. They restore and maintain old metal, engines, and blinkers. Crank, push-button, or throttle starters once rusting in a barn rev to life. Specialists take great care to find the right part or color, and skilled artists put their hard labor to work restoring a single collector car. They spend hours on end painting, repairing, rebuilding, and welding to recreate the final result of a pristine collector car.
Collector Car Appreciation Day recognizes those individuals dedicated to preserving a piece of American history. We associate each era with a certain car. Whether we ride in a Prohibition-era Cadillac Sedan, a 1950s era muscle car, or in our grandfather's pickup truck, they take us back.
Beyond nostalgia, collector car restoration is a thriving industry that supports thousands of specialized small businesses, from upholstery shops to master mechanics. According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the automotive aftermarket and restoration hobby contributes billions of dollars to the economy annually, preserving vital skilled trades and craftsmanship for future generations.
HOW TO OBSERVE COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY
Attend a Local "Cars & Coffee": You don't need a classic car to attend these casual, weekend morning meetups. They are perfect for admiring local builds and chatting with owners.
Support Auto Shop Programs: Look into local high school or community college automotive programs that teach restoration skills and see how you can support the next generation of builders.
Visit an Automotive Museum: Celebrate the day by taking a trip to a local or national car museum to learn about the engineering milestones of the past.
Give a shout out to a dedicated restorer you know. Recognize their talent and knowledge. Attend a collector car event or show. Share your tips and videos.
While you're celebrating, take a ride in your classic car. Post photos of your collector car on social media using #CollectorCarAppreciationDay.
COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY
Since 2009, SEMA Action Network (SAN) has sponsored Collector Car Appreciation Day. Per the request of The SEMA Action Network (SAN), each year the U.S. Senate has passed a Resolution helping to launch the day.